Studies about the impact of passive smoking in pets have shown that there are close links between passive smoking and the development of various health problems in animals that are exposed to cigarette smoke. Thus, it appears that cats living in areas with heavy smokers have an increased risk of developing tumors. The most common cancers in cats, associated with passive smoking, are cancers of the mouth and lymph nodes.
The emergence of oral tumors is explained through that fact that when they wash by licking themselves, pets ingest some of the microparticles of smoke, which contain carcinogens and which can be found on the fur after exposure to cigarette smoke. The oral mucous membrane come into contact with these substances and can develop tumors. With regard to malignant lymphomas: harmful substances contained in tobacco smoke are inhaled or swallowed by the cat, and some of them reach the bloodstream.
While the blood is passing through the nodes, they perform their filtering function, retaining some of the carcinogens, which are later stored in the lymph tissues. This favors the disruption of cellular functions and the occurrence of tumors. Cigarette smoke can also create respiratory problems. Cats will have difficulty breathing and they will sneeze or cough. For animals suffering from asthma, inhalation of cigarette smoke can spell the beginning of couching fits or asthma attacks. Also, the eyes of cats, kept in an environment where cigarette smoke is pervasive, will suffer. Fumes can cause unpleasant irritation to the eyes, manifested by redness, excessive discharge, tearing and burning sensation.
It has been proven that dogs whose masters are smokers are 60% more likely to fall ill with cancer. Lung cancer in dogs is a real threat when the master is a smoker. The poisonous, all harmful substances that are found in tobacco smoke, and which fall on dog fur, will enter the body, often leading to diseases such as bronchitis, heart disease or cancer. The risk of nasal cancer is greater in dogs with longer noses (eg Collie, German Shepherd, etc.). For dogs with short noses, nicotine primarily affects the lungs, leading to lung cancer in dogs.
It is interesting how for these pets’ sake we are able to give up convenience, many of the small pleasures of life, just to host these little felines or canines, but we are unable to protect their health by quitting smoking. All you have to do is to make sure that the room where you are smoking is always well ventilated, or smoke in rooms where animals don’t have access, or, why not quit smoking altogether, since this would be good for your own health as well as for the health of your four-legged companion and friend.