How Cigarette Smoke Affects Dogs

It’s 2016 and I’m still shocked at the number of people who actually still smoke cigarettes. Smoking is deadly and it stinks. Now, there’s also significant evidence that smoking is deadly to your dog (cats, small animals and even birds included). Let’s chat about this latest research; I think we need to continue talking about it because dogs (all pets) are defenseless when their pet owners light up a cigarette. Please stop smoking. If not for yourself, then at least for your dog.

Secondhand Smoke Effects on Dogs

Breathing It In

Look, we’re all very familiar with the effects of smoking on humans. Smoking causes chronic breathing issues, cancer and death. Well, research is finally catching up and it seems there’s significant evidence proving secondhand smoke causes chronic breathing issues, nasal cancer and lung cancer in dogs. It seems smoking is even more harmful to cats. Check out this article for further details.

If you must smoke, please don’t smoke around your pets. Walk outside and leave your dog indoors. When outside smoking, stay clear of your dog. Smoking is an addiction. I’m quite aware of the struggle, but take precautions to keep others safe from your habit.

Ingesting Cigarette Butts

So you think discarded cigarette butts lying in an ashtray are harmless? Think again. It only takes the consumption of two butts for a puppy to die in a relatively short time, according to Breathe New Hampshire Fact Sheet, which is an organization dedicated to helping fellow citizens quit smoking. It’s not only cigarette butts that can kill your dog, but also the consumption of a single cigarette.

Electronic Cigarettes Aren’t Any Better

While there’s little data on the effects of e-cigarette smoking and your dog’s health, I would use common sense and say there’s definitely a risk. Any time a dog (cat, bird, small animal, child or person) is regularly exposed to any type of smoke, it will cause issues. As an asthmatic, I can personally attest to the effects of e-cigarette smoke and it will trigger an attack.

However, it’s not only smoke that’s harmful. It seems there’s been a sudden increase in nicotine poisoning as well (Pet Poison Hotline). Dog are ingesting e-cigarette cartridges. Pet Poison Hotline further explains “the aroma of liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes can be alluring to dogs, and flavored e-cigarettes could be even more enticing. The issue is the amount of nicotine in each cartridge, which is between 6 mg and 24 mg.” Sounds like another good reason to quit smoking today.

Here’s the deal. I’m all about free thinking, moving through life and making your own decisions. When your decisions fatally affect others, it’s time to make changes.