Salt Lake Valley Health Department
Quick Links | Clinics | File a Report | FAQ | Contact Us
Tobacco Prevention and Control
Secondhand Smoke and Pets
Did you know that secondhand smoke can harm your pets too? Pets not only breathe in secondhand smoke but can be poisoned if they ingest cigarette or cigar butts.
To learn more about secondhand smoke and its effect on pets read the fact sheet below or visit TobaccoFreeUtah.org.
The Facts
There is considerable research proving secondhand smoke is harmful for pets
Dogs
- Dogs that inhale secondhand smoke are three times more
likely to develop lung or nasal cancer than dogs living in
smoke-free homes. - Dogs can experience allergic reactions to secondhand smoke.
Common symptoms of this allergic reaction are the scratching,
biting, and chewing of their skin. Owners often confuse this
reaction with fleas or food allergies. - Cigarette butts can also be deadly. Two butts, if eaten by a
puppy, can cause death in a relatively short period of time.
Birds
- Birds can react badly to secondhand smoke and may develop
eye problems, as well as other respiratory problems like coughing and wheezing. - Birds that sit on a smoker’s hand can experience contact dermatitis
from the nicotine that remains on the smoker’s hand. This can cause
them to pull out their feathers.
Cats
- Cats exposed to secondhand smoke in the home have a higher rate
of an oral cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, which may be
due to the way cats groom themselves. When cats groom themselves they eat the poisons from secondhand smoke that have settled on their fur.
- Cats exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher rate of feline
lymphoma, a deadly form of cancer, than cats not exposed to
secondhand smoke. - Cats can develop respiratory problems, lung inflammation, and
asthma as a result of secondhand smoke.
Source: Breathe New Hampshire