January 11, 2012
Posted in Pet Health

Most people with a smoking habit understand that the activity can not only lead to medical problems for themselves, but also potentially to their loved ones who breathe in second-or third-hand smoke. Even though these health risks are understood, some smokers who are also pet owners may not realize the risks smoking can also have on their animals.

According to the source, second-hand smoke is smoke that's exhaled and then escapes into the air where it can be inhaled by non-smokers, such as pets or children. Third-hand smoke is the residue that remains on peoples skin, animal fur or on furniture and animals' pet supplies like a Plush Memory Sleeper Dog Bed or a Heated Cat Pad. Both forms fall under the title "environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)."

A study found in the American Journal of Epidemiology was looking at how feline malignant lymphoma, or cancerous tumors derived from lymphoid tissue, occurs in domestic cats to serve as a model for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in humans. During the testing, the researchers found that cats that lived in homes with smokers had an increased chance of developing feline malignant lymphoma over cats who lived with non-smokers. Cats with any ETS exposure were 2.5 times more likely to develop the cancer over felines that lived in smoke-free environments. The risk of cats developing the form of cancer increased to 3.2 percent after more than five years of ETS living.

Other studies have also shown a link between oral cancer in cats and environmental tobacco smoke in their homes. The theory behind this is that cats are constantly grooming themselves, so if they have been exposed to third-hand smoke, the residue of the product would be embedded in their fur, which they then lick, transferring the particles into their mouths. Owners trying to quit might want to wash their felines and canines more frequently to avoid such problems. Try using a soothing and cleansing pet shampoo such as Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs and Cats.

Dogs aren't safe from tobacco intake, either. Other studies have shown that dogs that live with smokers are far more likely to develop respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, asthma or lung cancer over canines who live in smoke-free homes. A study conducted by researchers at Colorado State University found that dogs with long snouts have a 2.5 percent higher risk of developing nasal cancer from living in an ETS home over similar breeds that aren't exposed to tobacco.

Animals can also develop eye and skin problems due to the tobacco which may require owners to use pet meds like LiquiTears to moisten a pet's eyes or 1-800-PetMeds Be Soothed Spray to curb itchy skin. 

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