The habit of human smoking is common in many regions of the world, dogs for being good companions end up accompanying their tutors everywhere, thus being exposed to cigarette smoke. Can cigarette smoke harm dogs? In this post we are going to talk about the harmful effects of cigarettes for dogs.
Dog smoking cigarette
Dogs must not smoke cigarettes. And tutors should avoid smoking cigarettes near their dogs due to the health problems that the dog can have when breathing cigarette smoke.
If the tutor is smoking in a ventilated place, cigarette smoke may not affect the dog, but if it is indoors, dogs can end up breathing in large amounts of smoke that can lead to irritation in the respiratory tract resulting in serious respiratory problems.
About the cigarette
Cigarettes are a type of drug allowed in many countries. The cigarette initially had a cylindrical shape of thin-cut tobacco leaves rolled into a mount that could be smoked by humans. Cigarettes are manufactured in different ways, and some may have additives, filters, and others.
Currently there are electronic cigarettes which are a device shaped like a conventional cigarette or pen, which contains a battery, and a deposit where a concentrated liquid of nicotine is placed, which is heated and inhaled.
These electronic cigarettes have nicotine in their composition, also have solvent products such as water, propylene glycol, glycerin and flavorings.
The nicotine in cigarettes is extremely addictive for humans, as nicotine is quickly smoked, it passes through the alveoli wall and directly into the bloodstream.
Through the blood, nicotine quickly reaches the brain where it will act by mimicking a neurotransmitter, leading to sensations of pleasure and gratification in humans.
In dogs, the inhalation of cigarette smoke can lead to local effects and to nasal and ocular reactions. Many dogs may have conjunctivitis, coughing and sneezing. In the long term, constant aspiration of cigarette smoke can lead to problems such as cancer and tumors.
Cigarette harms to dogs
In research carried out by Roza and Viegas in 2007, it was shown that dogs can present several health problems due to the inhalation of cigarette smoke from their tutors.
The main problems generated in dogs are:
- Nasal cancer;
- Sinus cancer;
- Lung cancer;
- Rhinitis;
- Asthma;
- Allergy;
- Conjunctivitis;
- Dermatitis.
The dogs respiratory tract is much more sensitive than the humans respiratory tract, so when breathing in small amounts of smoke, dogs may experience nasal irritation.
Nasal irritation caused by the components present in cigarette smoke can lead to rhinitis and conjunctivitis with sneezing, eye secretions and even coughing. Some dogs may still have Asthma, requiring evaluation by the veterinarian.
Some dogs may have a cigarette smoke allergy that can lead to sneezing, increased nasal, and eye discharge. Some allergies can even lead to canine dermatitis with itching and redness of the skin.
Daily exposure of dogs to cigarette smoke can be extremely harmful to the animal’s health. Because the components of cigarette smoke can lead to the development of tumors and cancer in the nasal and pulmonary region.
In addition, dogs can end up burning themselves with lit cigarettes. And they can also end up eating a part or even a whole cigarette.
Substances present in cigarettes when absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract of dogs can lead to intoxication in the animal, that may even show neurological signs when not treated properly.
How to prevent the consequences of smoking in dogs
To prevent cigarette problems in dogs, the ideal is for the tutors to quit smoking. The act of quitting smoking by tutors will benefit both the health of dogs and tutors.
If tutors are unable to stop smoking, it is advisable to reduce the number of cigarettes and even avoid smoking close to dogs.
Dogs should not be indoors with people smoking. In research carried out by Lofroth in 1989, the smokes that remain in the environment or exhaled by smokers may have a higher concentration of substances that can be toxic to the dogs health.
It should be avoided that lit cigarettes are within reach of dogs, thus preventing animals from getting burned when it is lit. And you should prevent cigarettes from being on the floor in places that dogs can access, thus avoiding cigarette consumption.
Conclusion
Cigarettes and the smoke resulting from the use of this type of drug bring various harm to both human and dogs health. Therefore, the use of cigarettes should be avoided indoors or even close to animals. Dogs have a more sensitive respiratory system than humans and may have different reactions, which, when it is observed, the dog must be evaluated by a veterinarian, preventing the worsening of certain diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Dog smoking cigarette
Can eating a cigarette kill a dog?
Cigarette consumption by dogs can lead the animal to present an intoxication due to the action of nicotine in the dog’s body. After eating too many cigarettes, the dog can present symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, contracted pupils, salivation, agitation, weakness and even death.
Can you smoke near the dog?
Cigarette smoke brings several harm to the respiratory system of dogs, so it is recommended not to smoke around dogs. Dogs, because they are more sensitive, can present irritation and inflammation of the airways and the excessive stimulation of cigarettes can lead to cancer and tumors.
What to do when the dog inhales smoke?
If the animal shows any symptoms, it is important that the tutor take the animal quickly to emergency care, especially if there is suspicion of other respiratory diseases.
References
Löfroth, G. (1989). Environmental tobacco smoke: overview of chemical composition and genotoxic components. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology, 222(2), 73-80.
Roza, M. R., & Viegas, C. A. A. (2007). The dog as a passive smoker: effects of exposure to environmental cigarette smoke on domestic dogs. Nicotine & tobacco research, 9(11), 1171-1176.
Picture from flirck.com
