DETROIT – Hazy skies and the smell of smoke have settled over Metro Detroit and much of Michigan as wildfire smoke continues to drift into the region.
It’s unhealthy for everyone -- including your pets.
Recommended Videos
The American Veterinary Medical Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency both warn that wildfire smoke can irritate pets’ eyes and airways -- and in some cases, cause serious health complications.
Related: Should you be wearing your contacts in this smoke? What eye doctor said amid poor air quality
The highest-risk animals
Not all pets face the same level of risk. According to the EPA, animals that are older, younger, pregnant, or living with existing heart or lung conditions are especially vulnerable during periods of poor air quality. That includes pets with heartworm disease or asthma.
Flat-faced breeds -- such as Bulldogs, Pugs and Boston Terriers -- face an added challenge. Their shortened airways already make breathing more difficult under normal conditions, and smoky air can make that significantly worse.
What to watch for
Pet owners should monitor their animals closely for any of the following warning signs:
- Coughing or gagging
- Difficulty breathing, including open-mouth or noisy breathing
- Red, watery or irritated eyes
- Nasal discharge
- Heavy panting or increased breathing rate
- Unusual fatigue, weakness, disorientation or stumbling
- Reduced appetite or thirst
Cats may also show symptoms such as drooling, seeking out cool spots or sweaty paws.
If any of these signs appear, pet owners should contact their veterinarian immediately.
Keeping pets safe indoors
The simplest and most effective step pet owners can take is keeping animals inside. The EPA recommends closing windows and doors during smoky periods and running air conditioning or a portable air purifier to help filter indoor air.
Setting up a “cleaner air room” in the home -- a single room with good filtration -- can offer an added layer of protection.
Pet owners should also avoid activities that introduce additional particles indoors, including frying or broiling food, burning candles, using fireplaces and smoking or vaping inside the home.
Fresh water should always be available. Both smoke and heat can contribute to dehydration, and pets may need more water than usual during these conditions.
Limiting outdoor time
When outdoor trips are unavoidable, keeping them short is critical. The AVMA advises letting dogs and cats outside only for brief bathroom breaks while air quality alerts are in effect.
For livestock owners, the AVMA advises limiting exercise when smoke is visible, providing ample fresh water near feeding areas and reducing dust exposure by using low-dust feeds.
Livestock should be given four to six weeks to recover after air quality returns to normal before resuming strenuous activity.
Cats
Avoid adding to indoor pollution -- no smoking indoors, no burning candles or incense, and skip vigorous vacuuming that could stir up settled particles.
Fresh water helps keep a cat’s airways moist, and quieter indoor play is better than vigorous exercise when smoke is heavy. Keeping the litter box clean reduces dust and ammonia, two additional irritants for a cat’s respiratory system.
Contact a veterinarian promptly if a cat develops persistent coughing, wheezing, rapid or labored breathing, lethargy, loss of appetite, or eye and nose irritation that doesn’t resolve.
Open-mouth breathing is unusual in cats and can be an emergency -- don’t wait to seek care.
Rabbits
Rabbits are highly sensitive to poor air quality, with their delicate respiratory systems making them vulnerable to smoke, pollution, and strong odors.
Owners should bring outdoor rabbits indoors during smoke events, minimize indoor irritants, use low-dust bedding, and ensure access to fresh water and unlimited hay.
Lizards
Lizards are impacted differently than mammals, but prolonged smoke exposure can still lead to respiratory illness.
It is important to maintain essential heating and UVB lighting for their health, use a HEPA air purifier without directing airflow into the enclosure, and avoid adding unnecessary humidity.
Signs of respiratory distress in lizards, such as open-mouth breathing or unusual lethargy, require veterinary attention.
Birds
Birds are among the most vulnerable household pets when air quality is poor. Their respiratory systems are highly efficient, which also makes them especially sensitive to smoke, toxins and fine particulate pollution.
One hazard that surprises many bird owners: overheated nonstick cookware releases fumes that can be fatal to birds. Avoid using it around them.
Maintaining a stable routine, environment, and diet is essential, and even subtle signs of illness should prompt immediate veterinary attention. Open-mouth breathing or severe breathing difficulties in birds are emergencies requiring urgent care.
The bottom line: if the air feels bad to you, it likely feels worse to your pet.