More than 100 fires are burning across Canada, with some wildfires forcing evacuations and affecting air quality in Canada and the northern tier of the United States — and experts have noted that pets could be at risk, too.
Dr. Gabrielle Fadl of the Bond Vet Clinic in New York City told CNN last year that her practice has had a “significant influx of calls” from concerned clients seeking guidance on how to protect their animals from the poor air quality outside. It also received a few calls from patients, particularly pregnant and older people, requesting to reschedule appointments.
“Exposure to polluted air can have a profound impact on our pets’ health, leading to respiratory issues, allergies, and even exacerbating existing conditions such as asthma,” Fadl said.
To ensure pets’ well-being, Fadl advised considering the following precautions.
Limit outdoor activities
Reduce the time your pets spend outdoors as much as possible, especially during periods of unhealthy air quality. Doing so can help minimize their exposure to harmful pollutants and allergens, Fadl said.
You also shouldn’t run with your dog outdoors, said Dr. Peter DeCarlo, an associate professor in the department of environmental health and engineering at Johns Hopkins University. “If you can, just walk a little bit more slowly so you’re not breathing as deeply,” he added. “That can help.”
Avoiding strenuous activity is important for pets as well since they can’t breathe as deeply as humans, said Dr. Jessica Bell, an assistant professor in the college of veterinary medicine at Washington State University. Animals also can experience difficulty breathing, asthma-like symptoms and bronchitis.
If you must take pets outside, do so when air quality is best, Bell said. “That might be early in the morning before the air quality changes with settling of moisture.”
People walk along a pier in Transmitter Park as the Manhattan skyline is shrouded in smoke from Canada wildfires on June 6. AP
New York City’s Emergency Management advised wiping your pet’s muzzle, feet and coat with a damp cloth after being outside.
Create a safe environment indoors
Even pets kept indoors can be affected by the air quality outside, Bell said, so make sure you have proper ventilation in your home. Keep the windows closed to prevent outdoor pollutants, such as fine particulate matter, from entering. These particles are the tiniest, yet most dangerous, of pollutants, and have been linked to health problems such as heart disease, asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
“A major difference between wildfires and, for example, a fire that you might burn in a backyard bonfire is that often there are synthetic materials being burned that produce compounds that can be dangerous like hydrogen cyanide,” said Dr. Bruce Kornreich, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center in Ithaca, New York.