Does Smoking Affect Your Pet

Smoking is a fatal habit that not only puts your life in jeopardy, but also the lives of others around you. You have probably heard the term, second-hand smoke and are likely aware of the negative affects it has on people. However did you know it can also affect your pets?

Research

Research demonstrates that pets are equally as affected by second-hand smoke as humans. Dogs, cats, bids guinea pigs or your niece and nephew-tobacco toxins do not discriminate when it comes to the human animal divide.Animals exposed to cigarette smoke are at a high risk for developing respiratory illnesses and cancer. Like humans, animals exposed to second-hand smoke can potentially develop the following medical conditions:

1. Lymphoma
2. Lung cancer
3. Asthma
4. Nasal cancer
5. Nervous system disorders

Third Hand Smoke

In addition to the dangers of second-hand smoke, medical researchers at Harvard University were able to establish a third category of tobacco toxin transmission vis-à-vis animals and humans: third-hand smoke. Third-hand smoke is passed on to animals by smokers and non-smokers who have been exposed to cigarettes. Your nose always identifies third-hand smoke-think about that “smoker smell” that we have all had waft into our nostrils at one point or another. That is third hand smoke. Third-hand smoke is comprised of the poisonous particles and gases that remain on clothes, bags, hair and other materials touched by tobacco smoke. These poisons are then passed on to pets; young children are also particularly vulnerable to their toxins as well.

Another reason second-hand and third-hand smoke are particularly dangerous to pets is because they don’t get the chance to be mobile and in fresh air as much. Good dog owners walk their dogs a lot and let them out in the yard, but not all dog owners do. Most cats never leave the house and other inside pets are in the same boat. Thus, pets can be more entrenched in the toxins with little chance of escape.

Ingesting Cigarettes or Butts

In pets, an oral minimum lethal dose of nicotine in dogs is reported to be 9.2 mg/kg; however, clinical signs have been reported at doses as low as 1 mg/kg. In small dogs, signs can be seen after the ingestion of one cigarette. With large ingestions, dogs may have a very poor prognosis as a result of nicotine toxicity. Pet birds are particularly sensitive to many chemicals owing to their small size and very efficient metabolism. Curious birds have been reported to ingest cigarette butts left in household ashtrays and have died as a result. Research from Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Our Pets are Special

If you are a smoker, then smoking cessation should be a top priority for your own health and the health of the friends and family that you love and care about. However, pets can provide you with the extra incentive to kick your tobacco habit for good. Most people don’t think that their cigarette smoking is bad for the dog or cat, but it is. Why continue with a habit that harms the creatures you have otherwise sworn to protect? Take the time to learn more about how to become tobacco free, by way of hypnotherapy smoking cessation for example, and increase the health and vitality of yourself and everyone around you.

 Do you have pets?

You may be a smoker and have pets or maybe you know someone who is.  Sharing this information is really important to protect those we love.  Life Coach to Quit Smoking is an extremely reputable provider for hypnosis including the Quit Cigarettes at 60 Minutes program in Brisbane. So is it time to take that big step and give up smoking. If this is not you, then perhaps share with someone you love. Share this link with them if they are ready to quit and want to make an appointment.