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Federal officials are expecting higher wildfire risks across Canada until the end of September, and for pet owners, this news brings some additional responsibilities.
Animal welfare experts say that, similar to humans, inhaling wildfire smoke can cause a number of health issues in our furry friends. Luckily, there are plenty of techniques to prevent and manage their exposure to smoky conditions and poor air quality.
1. Watch for symptoms
Even if there are no wildfires burning in your area, smoke from affected regions can still lead to poor air quality.
Dan Maguire with his samoyed, Blondie.PetFocus Veterinary Hospital Bedford South
Halifax-based veterinarian Dan Maguire says cats and dogs breathing in wildfire smoke may experience irritation in their eyes and lungs.
“If you’re noticing any coughing, wheezing or weeping eyes, seek medical care from your veterinarian,” said Maguire, who added that professionals might use steroids or eye drops to make your fur baby more comfortable.
Monitoring your pet’s well-being is especially important if the animal has cardiopulmonary issues, such as asthma.
According to Maguire, those pre-existing illnesses can worsen with exposure to poor air quality.
2. Modify outdoor activity, especially for high-risk animals
Experts say that following one general rule is key: If health officials are advising people to limit time outside, you should do the same for your pets – except for bathroom breaks, of course.
“If you’re smelling the smoke, it’s certainly something that your animals are experiencing as well,” said Maguire. So when air quality warnings discourage strenuous activity outdoors, for example, keep your pets at home. According to Maguire, this limitation is especially important for high-energy dogs, who may take in a lot of smoke while breathing heavily during exercise.
“Big hikes, sprint arounds, trail runs or anything like that should be held off while the air quality is really poor,” said Maguire.
Flat-faced pets, such as Scottish Folds, could face irritation from wildfire smoke.Alina Jaffer
Naturally, some puppies will resist staying indoors. Christy King is acting co-ordinator for emergency responses at the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BCSPCA). She says that if you need to walk a dog during poor air quality conditions, keep it short and well timed. The animal may pant, inhaling extra particulate matter from wildfire smoke, if temperatures are warm.
“Go either early in the morning or later in the evening,” said King.
Owners of less-energetic pets should still pay attention to air quality advisories and stay inside when necessary. Maguire says that flat-faced animals, including pugs and some cats, generally have less airway flow, making them at risk for smoke-related irritation.
3. Clean pets after exposure
Consider cleaning your pets if they go outside on a smoky day. Tracy Fisher, president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, says that while a full-on bath is likely not necessary, wiping animals with a damp cloth is worthwhile.
“Cats in particular are actually really, really vulnerable to wildfire smoke,” said Fisher. “They groom themselves a lot with their tongue, so if there’s ash and particulate matter from the smoke on their fur, they ingest that. They kind of get a double dose.”
According to Fisher, this can eventually make cats more likely to develop asthma.
4. Focus on mental stimulation
Bryn Gibson, a university student from Calgary, says that in past summers, she has limited her dog’s walks during wildfire season. But her friendly border collie and Great Dane mix, Django, tends to become restless when cooped up.
Tracy Fisher with her cockatiels, Merry and Pippin.Tracy Fisher
“He’ll whine by the door more often and beg more than usual,” said Gibson. “We have a tug-of-war rope to play with him indoors. We also have room to throw a ball around, so he will run up and down the stairs trying to catch it.”
According to Maguire, indoor-friendly gadgets like Kongs, lick mats and puzzle toys can also tire out a bored dog.
“We do our best with mental stimulation in those times because that’s going to be burning the calories too,” said Maguire.
Similarly, Fisher – who owns three dogs, two birds, a cat and a horse – says that feather and laser toys can distract cats who want to head outdoors.
5. Pack a pet-friendly go bag
King encourages pet owners in wildfire-prone areas to keep key supplies packed and an eye on their animal’s whereabouts in case of an evacuation.
“We want to think about food and medication, and having enough of that to last at least a couple of weeks,” she said. The BCSPCA identifies more helpful items, such as carriers, leashes and waste bags, in their disaster planning checklist for families with pets.
“The other thing that we encourage is comfort items,” said King, who added that recognizable toys, blankets and treats can make an animal feel more at ease in unfamiliar places.
