Pause the Smoke.
Protect the Paws.
Pets exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk for respiratory disease, cancer, heart disease, and skin and eye irritation.
What is secondhand smoke and thirdhand smoke?
Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke exhaled by smokers and the smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe.
Thirdhand smoke is a toxic mixture of gases and particles left behind after a tobacco product is extinguished. This harmful residue sticks to hair, skin, clothing, pet fur and feathers, and also seeps into furniture and carpets.
dangers for dogs
Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause more bouts of eye infections, allergies, and respiratory issues, including lung cancer.
Dog size can also play a role in tobacco-related disease. Typically, smaller dogs spend more time in close proximity to their owners - consequently being in closer contact with smoke.
dangers for cats
Cats usually spend most of their lives indoors; if a cat lives in an environment with tobacco smoke, it is more likely to develop asthma and lung cancer.
Cats are more susceptible to mouth tumors, as they tend to groom themselves more than dogs and lick off dangerous particles that have accumulated on their fur.
dangers for birds
Birds have respiratory systems that are highly sensitive to airborne pollutants, making them very vulnerable to problems such as pneumonia and lung cancer when exposed to smoke.
They are also at elevated risk of skin, heart, eye and fertility problems when housed in a smoke-filled environment.
dangers for fish
Nicotine is toxic to fish - and both secondhand & thirdhand smoke contain a great deal of nicotine. Nicotine dissolves easily in water, potentially poisoining the fish inside the fish tank.
*source: American Lung Association Veterinarian Toolkit
Tobacco use is not only harmful to people, it's also harmful to pets.
Pet owners should understand the risks and take steps to protect their pets.
Dog, cats, birds, and small mammals are all vulnerable. The most effective protection is a completely tobacco-free home.
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