Secondhand Smoke and Pets
Secondhand smoke is not only a health issue to humans, but to other living creatures as well. Research has proven that the chances of cancer, skin irritations, and even death are greatly increased in pets that are exposed to secondhand smoke.
Facts:
- Dogs are three times more likely to develop lung or nasal cancer
- Cats have a higher rate of feline lymphoma
- Birds have a higher risk of pneumonia and lung cancer
Most of us think of secondhand smoke being inhaled, but skin and fur contact are other ways secondhand smoke can affect the animal population. Chemicals from secondhand smoke will settle on fur and feathers. For our feline friends who love to stay clean, this means they are at a much higher risk of developing a form of oral cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. A lot of times we confuse animals scratching, biting, and chewing their skin as fleas, dry skin, or maybe even food allergies. If your pet is exposed to secondhand smoke they may actually be having an allergic reaction to the chemicals settling on their bodies. Birds exposed to secondhand smoke can experience contact dermatitis causing them to pull their feathers out.
Here are some things to keep in mind when exposing your pets to areas where smoking is allowed:
- Ingestion of cigarette or cigar butts can be deadly. Two butts, if eaten by a puppy, can cause death within a short amount of time.
- Drinking water that contains high concentrations of nicotine increases the chances of digestive problems and cancer in any animal.
(updated 05/13/10, Melanie Justice, melaniefjustice@uky.edu)
