While we’re constantly learning more about how pollution impacts our beloved animals, it’s undeniably clear that environmental threats like smoky air, contaminated water, and even dust inside our homes pose significant health risks to a wide variety of pets.
The good news is that many of the precautions we take to safeguard ourselves from pollutants and environmental contaminants can also effectively protect our furry family members.
Here are some straightforward steps recommended by specialists to ensure your pet’s well-being.
Navigating Air Quality Emergencies
During times of severe outdoor air pollution, such as nearby wildfires, it’s crucial to limit your pet’s time outside. This means keeping dog walks short for quick bathroom breaks instead of leisurely strolls and avoiding any strenuous physical activities that could increase their breathing rate. A quick wipe-down with a cleansing cloth or damp towel when pets come indoors can also help remove pollutants that might cling to their fur.
Maintain clean indoor air by keeping windows and doors shut, and by using a high-quality air purifier. Polluted or smoky air can also dehydrate your pet’s respiratory system, so always ensure they have access to plenty of fresh, clean drinking water.
Don’t forget to protect your pet’s eyes. As Dr. Michala de Linde Henriksen, a veterinary ophthalmologist at North Carolina State University who researches wildfire smoke’s effects, notes: “If your eyes are itchy, your dog’s eyes are most likely also itchy.”
Over-the-counter eyewash and lubricating eye drops can help keep your animal’s eyes moisturized and free from irritation. If you notice signs like rubbing, squinting, redness, excessive tearing, or discharge, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian.
Daily Proactive Measures
Pollution isn’t confined to the outdoors. Our pets encounter numerous pollutants right inside their homes every single day.
John Buchweitz, a veterinary toxicologist at Michigan State University, emphasizes this point: “We live in our homes for a portion of the day. Whereas our pets, that is their everything. That is their environment in which they spend a majority of their time.”
Common household items like gas stoves, candles, incense, cleaning products, and perfumes can all release various potentially hazardous compounds into your living space.
Many of these chemicals become airborne. Experts advise using ventilating fans, running air purifiers, or simply opening windows when you’re cooking, cleaning, or performing any other tasks that generate indoor pollution.
Other indoor contaminants tend to settle in household dust and can be effectively removed through regular vacuuming. Olivia Sanderfoot, an ecologist at Cornell University specializing in smoke and urban air pollution’s impact on animals, candidly suggests, “One of the best things that we can do for ourselves and our pets is actually vacuuming more, which I’ll be honest, I’m not particularly good at.”
To prevent lead poisoning, keep your pets away from peeling or chipping paint. Maintain a safe distance from any active renovations, especially in homes constructed before 1978, when lead-based paint was prohibited.
“A risk factor for infants and toddlers is that they often put things in their mouths like lead chips from peeling paint,” explains Dr. Robert Wahl, an environmental epidemiologist at Michigan State University. “Similarly, pets often contact materials by smelling them in very close proximity and licking and even attempting to eat them.”
If your home’s water service line contains lead, always use a water filter and flush the tap before refilling your pet’s water bowl. Dr. Wahl also points out that some garden hoses, frequently used to fill outdoor pet dishes, can contain high levels of lead. For pets, only use hoses specifically labeled “drinking water safe.”
Be aware that older or imported ceramic dishes and certain pet toys may also contain lead. Opt for food and water dishes made from alternative materials, or choose items clearly labeled “lead-free” and produced by trusted manufacturers.