Our furry best friends turn into our constant companions. They will literally follow us anywhere we go. That means it’s our responsibility to lead them well. They have no choice but to live in the environment we provide, and to travel with us to the places we take them. So it’s up to us to make the best decisions for their happiness and health.
But this hazardous habit makes them two times more likely to develop cancer.
It’s fairly common knowledge that smoking and secondhand smoke has detrimental effects on human health. But did you know that it can also be incredibly harmful to the health of our furry and feathery family members?
It’s not only dogs who are affected by smoking. All pets are at risk of developing breathing problems along with eye and skin irritation when exposed to smoke and smoke residue.
Not only does breathing in the smoke affect them, the residual contamination from tobacco smoke coats clothing, carpet, furniture, fur, and feathers. So pets living in a smoking environment consume it everyday when they lick a smoker’s skin or groom their fur or feathers.
Here Are The Hard-Hitting Facts:
- When burned, cigarettes releases over 7,000 chemicals.
- Smoke residue can be re-released back into the air, or it will literally stick around because it’s so sticky, oily, or waxy.
- Dogs that live in a smoking environment are two times more likely to develop lung or nasal cancers.
- Inhaled tobacco smoke particles stay trapped in the noses of long-nosed dog breeds like Greyhounds, Borzois, and Doberman Pinschers so they have a doubled risk of nose cancer.
- Short and Medium-nosed breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, Beagles, and Brittany Spaniels have a higher risk of lung cancer because their noses are much shorter and more chemicals go directly into the lungs.
- Cats that live in a smoking environment are three times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer in their mouth or immune system (lymphoma).
Plus, curious cats and canines can become incredibly ill when they eat cigarette butts, or nicotine gum/patches. They can even die.
What Should You Do?
Cancer can cut years from your dog’s life. Consider quitting smoking. Our pets do so much for us; do this for them.
We know it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it to have your beloved furry and feathery friends by your side for as many years as possible.
Featured Image: YouTube
Toledo, United States.
