Stop Smoking and Help Your Pet Have a Healthy Life

Here at the PDSA, we are encouraging owners to stub it out for the sake of their pet’s health!
Research* shows cats exposed to second-hand smoke are twice as likely to develop feline lymphoma, a type of cancer that can be fatal, in smoking households. It can also make them sneeze, cough and wheeze.
Dogs are also very susceptible to smoking-related respiratory problems and their exposure to tobacco smoke has been linked to nasal and sinus cancers*. Passive smoking can also contribute to skin problems such as alopecia (hair loss) in hamsters and guinea pigs.
“The affects of passive smoking on humans are well documented, but pets are also affected by breathing in second-hand cigarette smoke, so it’s another good reason to quit,” says PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Elaine Pendlebury. “Pets play such an important part in our lives. As owners we have a responsibility to care for their health and well-being by not inflicting them with smoke from our cigarettes.”
Elaine adds: “Remember that a pet can’t tell us if cigarette smoke is affecting them, but over time their health will suffer. Plus pets are a lots smaller than us, so the affects of inhaling smoke will be far greater for them than humans. So next time the cat cuddles up to you on the sofa, or the dog affectionately sits by your side, please think about their health too and don’t light up! Best of all why not take the dog for a walk to forget about those nicotine cravings instead!”
If giving up completely is out of the question, there are ways to lessen the affect on pets. Try not to smoke near them, keep all rooms well ventilated and encourage visitors to have a cigarette outside.