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Dr. Lindsay Kaplan, in-house veterinarian at Woof, shares her tips for protecting pets from wildfire smoke in the U.S.
Wildfires in Canada and Minnesota are sending blankets of smoke across the Midwest and Eastern U.S., worsening air quality for people and their pets.
Masks are available for humans to help combat the effects of poor air quality, but pets don’t have the same options. To help understand the risks that wildfire smoke can pose, and how to protect your pet against them, PEOPLE spoke with Dr. Lindsey Kaplan, DVM, MESM, the in-house veterinarian at Woof.
“Wildfire smoke can affect pets much like it affects people. The fine particles and gases in smoke can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract, leading to coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, or difficulty breathing,” Dr. Kaplan shares.
When air quality worsens as it has recently in states affected by the summer’s ongoing wildfires, the best thing you can do is limit your pet’s exposure to poor air quality.
“Inside, keep windows and doors closed when smoke levels are high, make sure your HVAC filters are clean and changed appropriately, and consider using an air purifier if you have one. It’s also a good time to avoid anything that adds extra particles to the air, like candles, incense, or smoke,” the veterinarian advises.
For pet owners who regularly take their pets outside, Dr. Kaplan recommends “think shorter and slower.”
“Keep walks shorter, avoid strenuous activity, and check your local AQI before heading outdoors. If air quality is poor, limit outdoor time as much as possible. If your pet normally spends a lot of time outdoors, bring them inside until air quality improves,” she notes.
Following these guidelines — and the rule of thumb that if the air quality is unhealthy enough that you reconsider your outdoor plans, you should do the same for your pet — most healthy pets should handle bouts of poor air quality without serious issues. But, Dr. Kaplan emphasizes, “pets with underlying heart or respiratory conditions, senior pets, puppies and kittens, or flat-faced breeds like pugs and bulldogs are often more sensitive to poor air quality. During periods of elevated smoke, it’s important to monitor your pet closely and adjust their routine as needed to minimize smoke exposure.”
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Time stuck inside doesn’t have to be boring. To help pass the time indoors, Dr. Kaplan advises replacing outdoor activity with indoor enrichment, like puzzle feeders and new toys.
Like humans, pets can react to poor air quality with coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, wheezing, excessive panting, increased respiratory effort, and tiredness.
“If you notice more serious symptoms, like difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, collapse, blue-tinged or pale gums, that’s a sign to contact your veterinarian right away,” Dr. Kaplan warns, adding, “The biggest thing is not to wait if your pet seems like they’re struggling to breathe. Respiratory issues can become serious quickly, so it’s always better to check with your veterinarian if you’re concerned.”
Wildfires aren’t the only source of irritation for pets; the veterinarian recommends being on the lookout for poor air quality symptoms in pets when there is air pollution, pollen, dust, construction, or strong fragrances in their vicinity.
Read the original article on People
