With fall just around the corner, the year is flying by. However, wildfire season has only just begun. It’s important to have an emergency plan in place for every member of the family, including pets, but fires can still be dangerous for cats and dogs even if they’re not close enough to warrant evacuation.

To help families learn about fire safety for pets, we asked Dr. Megan Seekins, DVM, DACVECC, what symptoms of smoke exposure could indicate a medical emergency. Dr. Seekins, who is also the Medical Director at BluePearl Northeast Portland Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, also explains when wildfire smoke becomes dangerous for pets and how families can limit smoke exposure for beloved dogs and cats. Take a look!

The Warning Signs of Wildfire Smoke Exposure Every Pet Owner Should Know

It’s no secret that wildfire smoke is dangerous for animals, but few pet parents can idenitify the signs and symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure. Fires can send smoke, ash, and unhealthy air hundreds of miles away, which means all pet parents—not just those who live in fire country—should be aware of these signs:

Weather in your inbox

Forecast Location

Sign Up

By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

• Difficulty breathing and/or unusual or excessive coughing, sneezing,
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling or inflammation of the mouth, eyes, skin or upper airway
• Open-mouthed breathing (especially in cats)
• Coughing in cats (which can be mistaken for unproductive retching)
• Weakness/lethargy
• Uncoordinated walking/inability to stand
• Increased salivation
• Disorientation, confusion
• Fainting
• Pale gums or mucous membranes

Dr. Seekins says these symptoms of smoke exposure in cats and dogs indicate respiratory distress and are considered an emergency, so please don’t wait to visit an emergency veterinarian if a pet shows these signs after being around smoke.

Although respiratory illness is Dr. Seekins’s top concern, pets and wild animals may also experience eye irritation after smoke exposure. She says, “Sterile saline eyewash is good to flush/rinse the eyes gently followed by preservative-free artificial tears a few times daily (4-6x). Having this discussion ahead of time with your pet’s veterinarian will allow for better preparedness in times of emergency.”

Are Some Cats and Dogs More At Risk For Smoke Exposure?

Any animal can be at risk of complications from smoke exposure, though some will be naturally more sensitive to poor air quality. These include:

Get More of Our News on Google

Set The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

• Puppies and kittens
• Senior dogs and cats
• Pets with chronic conditions like asthma and heart diesease
• Brachycephalic, or short-nosed breeds
• Pets with a current or recent illness

Even if a pet does not fit into any of these categories, preventing and treating smoke exposure is essential to keeping them healthy. Fortunately, Dr. Seekins has many tips for keeping pets safe during fire season.

Preventing Smoke Exposure For Cats and Dogs

The best way to protect pets from smoky conditions is to bring them indoors with all windows and doors shut. If possible, run an air conditioner with air filtration, too. Dr. Seekins recommends using an air purifier in the home as well, especially if you have high-risk pets in the house.

“Take advantage of the extra time indoors with your dog to play hide-and-seek, fetch, tug-of-war, with enrichment toys/games like a puzzle, brush up on training, and/or identify an in-home dog daycare to keep them active in the absence of outdoor play,” the vet advises. “Indoor options for your cat can include playing with a laser pointer, cat toys and puzzles, and/or introducing new scratch post or cat tree.”

If you truly have to go outside with your pet, make the trip as short as possible, and opt for a harness instead of a collar to reduce extra pressure on an animal’s neck. This is also a good time to make sure your pet’s microchip is up to date and to pack an emergency kit for both yourself and your pet, just in case of short-notice evacuation.

Fires and their disastrous effects can be scary, but being prepared can make sure that everyone in your family, including your pets, are safe, healthy, and ready for anything.