How is air quality affecting my dog?
By: Dr. Shelly Zacharias DVM
For the past several weeks, wildfires have been burning across the western seaboard, from southern California to Oregon and Washington. Not only is the smoke affecting areas where the fires are located, but poor air quality has spread across state lines and is affecting many communities.
Pet owners are left wondering whether it’s safe to take their animal outside. If you’re near wildfires or even if you’re a safe distance but you’re affected by the air quality, we’ve outlined some important information regarding the safety of your pet.
It’s good to check on the Air Quality Index (AQI) on a daily basis, both for yourself and your animals. We recommend monitoring levels on AirNow, the government’s online air quality database.
How are my pets affected?
As wind blows smoke from fire sites to the rest of the country, you’ll notice the smell of smoke or a burning sensation. This means air quality is poor.
Air quality affects your pet, whether it’s a cat or dog, just like it does to humans. Generally, the breed doesn’t matter, because air quality plays a significant factor in an animal’s quality of life. The most important thing you can do is be aware of signs that smoke is hurting your pet. Similar to human signs — red or watering eyes, coughing, and lethargy — are all telltale indicators of smoke harm.
I will note, however, that some dogs are more susceptible to poor air quality because of their anatomical differences. Brachycephalic, also known as short faced dogs — think Pugs, Shih Tzus, Boxers, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers — are more likely to be affected because their respiratory anatomy is different in their nose, throat and larynx. If you have a short-faced dog, reach out to your veterinarian for extra precaution.
Monitor your animals morning and night for any changes.
Can they exercise?
Depending on the level of smoke in the air, pets should spend more time indoors than outdoors, and all outdoor pets need to be moved inside, even if they typically live outside. And yes, even balconies and yards are unsafe.
It’s understandable that pets still need to go outside to both go to the bathroom and get a bit of exercise. I recommend taking dogs outside just long enough for them to go to the bathroom and get 10 to 15 minutes of walking done on a leash. Their exercise shouldn’t be strenuous and definitely shouldn’t be prolonged. Overexertion can be bad for an animal’s respiratory tract, because they can’t handle debris or dirt in the air like they normally can.
Avoid running or taking them to the dog park — the air can make them extremely uncomfortable and tired — and try to go in the mornings.
When should I call the vet?
Early intervention is always best in any situation, but especially when it comes to cardiopulmonary (respiratory and cardiac systems) because damage done to the lungs is so often permanent.
Your vet can determine if your pet needs to be relocated or needs to be on medication to help them breath. There are both oral medications and inhalers specific to pets that may be of benefit if your pet is having respiratory problems. Just like we do, our furry friends get particles, soot, and tar in their lungs, which can lead to further complications down the line. If you do notice your dog exhibiting symptoms, it usually means that there’s a big enough change that you should seek medical attention immediately.
Should I relocate my pet?
If your pet is having clinical signs of respiratory distress, your pet’s long term health can be at risk. If they’re coughing constantly, showing signs of asthma, have a higher respiration rate than normal, panting more, or acting like they are uncomfortable and can’t settle down, it’s likely that their health is in danger or they’re having trouble breathing. If your animal seems sick, call the vet and relocate them as best you can. I would also recommend purchasing an air purifier, both for yourself and your animals.
What should I pack for an emergency?
Having an evacuation kit is always important, regardless of where you live. Whether it’s fires, floods, or tornadoes, an emergency evacuation bag could save your pet’s life. The most important thing is to keep it up to date.
Every time your pet gets on a new medication, or their medication dosage changes, the evacuation kit should be updated to reflect that. Their reserve food needs to be up to date, especially if their dietary needs have changed, and keep fresh bottled water in the pack. This may seem obvious, but in a panic, it’s easy to forget simple things for survival.
In terms of medication, I recommend keeping at least a week’s worth of supplies. Along with that, identification is also important. I keep a waterproof copy of my contact and emergency contact in there, along with my pet’s name, phone number, and medical issues. If your pet doesn’t normally wear their medical tag on their collar, keep it in the evacuation pack. You never know when you might need it.
