​PDSA says passive smoke has a huge impact on animals

A campaign is urging smokers to stop lighting up around their pets – because the toxic fumes could kill or harm them.

Second-hand smoke has been long been linked to potentially fatal diseases in humans, including lung cancer and heart disease.

However, the PDSA says the impact of passive smoking on pets is just as serious – and just as avoidable.

Now, to coincide with National No Smoking Day (Wednesday, 14 March), the charity is urging owners to quit for their pets’ sake.

PDSA vet Olivia Anderson-Nathan said: “Many pet owners are unaware of the risks that smoking can have on their pets’ health. If they knew, I’m sure they would want to protect them.

“Our vets and nurses regularly see the devastating impact smoking can have on pets. Problems range from issues like asthma and chronic coughing through to fatal conditions. Cancers such as lymphoma, for example, are twice as likely in cats exposed to cigarette smoke.”

She added: “Recent studies highlight that this is a really serious issue, and we want pet owners to know that they can make a real difference by simply choosing to smoke outdoors away from their pets.

“Thanks to funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery we’ve launched a campaign to raise awareness of the issue. We want pet owners to realise that, if they smoke, their pets smoke too.”

According to PDSA, different pets are affected in different ways by the effects of passive smoking.

Dogs are prone to smoking-related breathing problems and there are links between smoke and difficult-to-treat nasal and sinus cancers in longer nosed dogs.

In cats, their grooming habits mean that smoke lands on their fur and as they groom they lick off the cancer-causing chemicals, which can be a factor in the development of mouth cancers.

Cigarette smoke can also be harmful to pet birds and small pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs, as they have very sensitive respiratory systems.

Scientists at the University of Glasgow have been researching the effects of passive smoking on pets for several years. This reveals that family pets are equally, if not more, at risk than humans from passive smoking.

PDSA vets have also warned pet owners who use electronic cigarettes to exercise caution. There is currently no evidence that the fumes from electronic cigarettes are harmful, but there is a real risk of poisoning if the cartridges are chewed or swallowed by curious pets.

The Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) – a 24 hour telephone emergency service used by vets for animal poisoning cases – says it has seen an increase in cases of electronic cigarette poisoning over the past few years. According to its latest data, there were 113 reported cases in one year alone, with the true figure likely to be much higher.

Clara Govier, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are pleased that players are helping to support this important campaign by PDSA to protect pets across the nation. Over £5.5 million has been raised to date for the charity by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.”

For more information about the dangers of passive smoking to pets and advice on how to keep them safe, visit here.