Secondhand Smoke 2016/02/24
This weeks blog is about second hand smoke and the effects it can have on our pets.
I’ve noticed lately that we have a large amount of our clients who smoke. Now we all know how bad smoking is for us and we’ve all heard of second hand smoke and its effects in people – so I wont harp on that.
Consider your pets are like babies – their smaller sizes mean that it doesn’t take much smoke and exposure to the nicotine and tar to have an adverse affect on the body. Even when the animal grooms themselves they are licking and chewing the smoke that has been absorbed into their hair coat. This constant exposure to so many toxins deposits within the body causing inflammation that then leads to an immune response. Depending on how that animal’s immune system reacts is how things can start to go bad. And when I say bad – I mean there’s a chance of death.
Let me just throw this sobering fact out there – all of those pets who live in households where there is smoking are twice as likely to end up with a diagnosis of cancer versus a pet who lives in a non-smoking household. Yep that’s right – 2X’s more like to get CANCER! And it’s not limited to just lung cancer, oh no, you can see it in any of its nasty forms. These animals also are more likely to have breathing and coughing issues, as well as allergies. Dogs and cats both tend to have a decrease in their sense of smell too.
So do everyone, including your pets a favor – quit smoking. If this isn’t something you are willing to do or think you can do then go check out this article on ways to decrease your pets exposure so you can have a healthier pet.