Veterinarians advising pet owners to keep their animals inside during these hazardous smoky conditions.
At least if humans decide to go outside they can wear a mask. Pets obviously don't have that option. Just like humans, our pets are negatively impacted by air pollutants. With prolonged exposure, your pet could experience respiratory symptoms such as: Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, runny nose, and eye irritation.
Dr. Jean Geske with VCA All about Pets says cats should definitely remain indoors because they have a sensitive respiratory system.
"Cats shouldn't be outdoors at all because it really could induce some severe respiratory stress for them, to the point where they could need to be in a hospital in an oxygen cage," Geske warns.
As for dogs?
"Dogs really shouldn't be exercising," she adds. "The more they pant, they're going to pull in more of these allergens and also could go into some allergic bronchitis. So, it's just best to keep the pets indoors."
Geske says obviously most dogs need at least some time outdoors to do their business.
"I know some dogs only eliminate on a walk, but really shorten that as much as possible," Geske explains. "Sometimes even people recommend, because those allergens build up on like the dog's hair coat, that even just giving them a bath or washing that off so that it doesn't cause further problems."
Tips for keeping pets safe:
Limit your pet’s outdoor exposure during air quality alerts
To keep your pet safe, stay informed about the air quality in your area by regularly checking the AQI provided by local authorities. AQI levels that are above 100 indicate potentially harmful conditions for both humans and pets.
Create a clean, safe indoor environment for your pets
On particularly poor air quality days, even your indoor air can be affected by the quality outside. To keep your pet’s indoor environment safe, keep all windows and doors closed to minimize exposure to pollutants.
Keep your pet entertained indoors
Limiting your pet’s outdoor access doesn’t mean you need to limit their activity. There are plenty of fun ways to provide your pet with exercise and enrichment from the safety of your home!
