Protect Your Pets from Poor Air Quality

The recent Canada wildfire smoke that blanketed the east coast for several days this summer drove millions of people and pets indoors and put thousands of sensitive individuals at risk for health complications. Warnings for humans and pets to limit outdoor activities flooded the news outlets. Wildfire smoke is not usually a problem for our region so many of us were left unprepared. Here are some things you can do to protect your pets when the air quality is poor.

Keep pets indoors as much as possible.

Most dogs really have no choice about where to do their business, so keep those outdoor visits short. If your dog requires walking, take them on slow walks early or late in the day when the air quality is best. Rigorous exercise on poor air quality days can cause dogs the same kind of health issues as humans, but they won’t be able to tell you that they’re uncomfortable.

Birds and other caged pets are particularly sensitive and at higher risk of health complications caused by exposure to airborne irritants. To keep your indoor space safe for every creature, close your windows and put your air conditioning units on recirculation mode, if possible. Run an air purifier where your pets spend most of their time and turn off exhaust fans on the stove or in the bathroom. Burning candles, smoking, frying food, vacuuming, and cleaning with harsh chemicals should be avoided, as these things only add to the indoor air pollution.

Dogs can go stir crazy being indoors too long. Keep them busy by providing fun indoor activities like puzzles, chew toys, frozen treats, hide and seek games, and chasing balls. Mental stimulation can have the same effect as physical exercise.

If you have a cat that spends time roaming outside, bring them in until air quality improves. Give them a perch by the window to watch over their outdoor domain and add a bird feeder nearby for entertainment. Get their toys out and engage them in daily play time for exercise. If you can tire your cat out, they will be less likely to fuss about the

inability to go outside.

Clean your pets.

Dogs and cats are close to the ground, sticking their noses in everything. The particulates from the wildfires settle on every surface and collect on pets as they get stirred up. When you bring pets inside, wipe their faces, feet, and coat with a clean, damp cloth to remove any irritants. Using a wet cotton ball, you can flush debris from their eyes. Wet mopping floors will also reduce indoor air pollutants, benefiting both you and your pets.

Monitor your pets’ behavior.

Animals, too, can have trouble breathing, bronchitis and asthma symptoms. Watch for coughing, gagging, or wheezing. This could indicate that their airways are inflamed. Fatigue, rapid breathing, disorientation, and weakness can be a sign that your pet isn’t getting enough oxygen. Brachycephalic breeds with short snouts, like pugs and bulldogs, as well as puppies and senior dogs, are more susceptible to breathing complications. Please contact your veterinarian for help if your pet is struggling during times of poor air quality.

Kristen Zellner owns Abrams & Weakley General Store for Animals, est. 1986, Central PA’s first health food store for pets. She helps customers keep their pets healthy through better nutrition.