They seem to get worse each year. The smoke, and the resulting poor air quality, moves quickly, leaving many of us indoors. We are all acutely aware of the fact that wildfires can be detrimental to our health and the health of our animals.
The thing is, these fires aren’t going away anytime soon. As we all deal with this challenge, it’s important to note that humans are not the only ones impacted by poor air quality. Talking about wildfire smoke and pets right now is also very, very important. Our animals are just as vulnerable to the effects, and it’s crucial to consider their welfare as well as our own.
The Impacts on Animal Health
The health impacts of wildfire smoke on our pets can be similar to those on humans. The dense smoke can be a major source of toxic air pollutants, which contain fine particles (that are not visible to the human eye) that penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, sometimes leading to serious health effects, particularly to the respiratory system.
Both senior dogs and the very young are at higher risk, as are pets with pre-existing heart or lung conditions. Additionally, some breeds of dog have higher rates of respiratory issues, particularly brachycephalic breeds, Boston terriers and Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Cats too are at a higher risk, especially those with asthma. Pet birds and horses also are at higher risk.
It’s important to keep a close eye on your pets while these air quality alerts are in place. Watch for any signs of respiratory distress, as well as:
- Coughing
- Gagging
- Red or watery eyes
- Watery nose
- Elevated respiratory rate when not engaged in activity
- Lethargy
Outdoor animals such as horses are also at a higher risk because they can’t stay indoors where the air is cleaner. They will show similar signs or irritation, including irritated eyes and respiratory systems, compromised lung function and respiratory distress.
Wildfire Smoke and Pets: How to Protect Our Animals
For humans, protection is fairly simple. Mask-wearing, closing doors and windows, and limiting exposure to the smoke are all recommended. An air purifier inside can also help combat the harmful particles from hanging around. And aside from masks, all of these things will also help our animals.
That said, there are other things we can do to protect them:
- keep bathroom breaks short during this time
- avoid walks or any long periods of time outdoors
- avoid physical exercise outdoors
- keep stress to a minimum
- after they come back inside, wipe your pet’s paws and coat with a damp cloth to remove any lingering soot or ash
For outdoor animals specifically (ex. horses), reduce stress and activity as much as possible and keep them in barns if possible. Give them access to plenty of fresh water.
And perhaps the biggest piece of advice we can give is…
Remember to Keep Your Animal Active!
When an air quality alert is in effect, our 2 large, active dogs may not get their normal walks for several days. Normally, we’re out in the neighbourhood or on the trail every day, but when the air quality is dangerous, it just is not safe. But that means we need to consider their mental health without this exercise.
Instead of walking, we do lots of brain work in the house. Short sessions throughout the day really help to give them the mental stimulation they require when they can’t be out walking.
- Brain Games like hide and seek or trick training can be just as tiring – if not more so – than a walk! Find some of our favourites in this post.
- Puzzle toys challenge your dog to figure out how to retrieve a treat or solve a problem. Snuffle mats, treat-dispensing balls, or interactive toys are great.
- Licking and chewing are natural behaviours that are mentally soothing for dogs. Offer long-lasting chews like bully sticks, or use a lick mat with frozen kefir. Raw bones are also really good for this – plus, they’re great for cleaning the teeth and working out the muscles in the jaw.
If you absolutely can’t go without a walk, consider going when the air quality and temperature and humidity are expected to be at the lowest level of risk during the day.
Support the Respiratory System
When the air quality is bad, you can also help protect your animal by supporting the respiratory system with natural herbs and supplements.
Herbs
Several different herbs are helpful for supporting respiratory health. Many have an affinity for the lungs and respiratory system! These include:
- Marshmallow root – with its high mucilage content, marshmallow root has strong demulcent properties, which can help reduce swelling and irritation in the mucous membranes and support calming in the respiratory tract
- Slippery elm – another demulcent herb, slippery elm coats the respiratory tract, which, like marshmallow root, can help to soothe irritated tissues and mucous membranes
- Licorice root – another demulcent herb, licorice roots can help to soothe inflamed mucous membranes and it also has decongesting and expectorant properties. We recommend only using deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) because it has the glycrrhizin removed.
- Mullein – it’s famed for its use with respiratory issues. Similar to marshmallow, it has a high mucilage content, and because of its saponin content, mullein also acts as an expectorant, meaning it makes it easier for the lungs to clear themselves of mucous.
- N-acetylglucosamine – help protect and soothe the delicate linings of the respiratory tract!
Supplements
There are also many different supplements that you can introduce to help support your dog’s lungs and respiratory system. Consider adding any or all of the following:
- Omega-3 fatty acids – new research suggests omega-3s can play a significant role in lung health. The study specifically found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood are associated with a reduced rate of lung function decline and that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids – including DHA – are associated with better lung function.
- Vitamin C – diets rich in vitamin C have been shown to help improve and protect lung function. Consider adding some fruits and vegetables containing vitamin c to your dog’s diet, including oranges, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, kale, papaya, mango, and kiwi fruit.
- Antioxidants – antioxidants, specifically carotenoids like beta-carotene, can help to protect the lungs and respiratory system.
- Lung (organ meat) – like feeds like!
- Pears – moisten the respiratory tract and may help prevent coughs
- Honey – just as with pears, honey (raw and local is best!!) can help moisten the respiratory tract
- Eggs – another moistening food
- Pumpkin and winter squash – these two help strengthen the large intestine, which in TCVM is connected to the lungs
When we consider the impacts of wildfire smoke and pets staying safe, we can all do our part to reduce the negative effects.
