There’s a lot of evidence out there that secondhand smoke is bad for you. It can cause issues with fertility, your heart, your lungs, and more. But it’s not just people who are in danger — secondhand smoke is also bad for your pets.
When you inhale secondhand smoke, you’re getting all the bad stuff that’s in cigarettes… without the benefit of the cigarette’s filter. The same goes for your pets! Their lungs are in danger from the same stuff, for the same reason.
But there’s a secondary danger with pets and secondhand smoke. Many animals groom themselves — and the smoke can settle on fur and skin, leaving dangerous chemicals there for a grooming pet to lick up. (Humans don’t have this danger as much, mostly because we don’t lick ourselves clean.)
Pets that live in smoking households are sixty percent more likely to develop lung cancer than pets that live in smoke-free homes. Long-nosed pets (like collies or greyhounds) who live with a smoker are more likely to develop cancer in the nose than long-nosed pets who don’t live with a smoker. (These two studies come from Colorado State University.)
Starting to get the picture? Cats who live with smokers are three times as likely to develop lymphoma as cats who don’t. (This piece of research comes from a Tufts University study.) Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems. Exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to pneumonia, lung cancer, eye issues, heart problems, and fertility issues for your feathered friend.
Cigarettes can be dangerous to pets even if you aren’t smoking them. A curious pet who nibbles on a forgotten cigarette runs the risk of fatal nicotine poisoning.
It can be very difficult to quit smoking… but maybe saving the life of your animal companions can be a good motivator? If you or someone you love is ready to quit smoking, there is some great starter information here at the Families.com Health Blog.
If you do smoke, try not to do it around your pets. Step outside for a cigarette, or smoke underneath a vent. It may be a bit of a hassle for you, but it could translate into healthy years of life for your pet.