The risk of a cat developing feline lymphoma is over twice as high among pets who live with a person who smokes. Problems with secondhand smoke are well-known for people, but many cat owners are not aware of the dangers to their pets.
Cats are Susceptible to the Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
It's easy to overlook the fact that pets are exposed to the same toxins in the environment that their owners are.
Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide,chromium, benzene, nickel, vinyl chloride and arsenic are only a few of the more than 4000 chemicals found in smoke from cigarettes. Cats are exposed to these chemicals in two ways; by inhaling them, and by licking smoke particulates off their fur during the grooming process.
The problem is often worse for indoor cats because they can't leave the house to get some fresh air.
Since felines are so much smaller than people, it makes sense that it would take much less exposure to these toxins to cause them serious health problems. In addition to a higher risk of lymphoma in cats, cats exposed to secondhand smoke face a higher risk of pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, lung cancer, feline asthma, heart failure, and eye irritation.
Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma is another feline cancer often found in cats who live with smokers. This is probably due to the pet licking smoke particulates off his or her fur while grooming, as mentioned above.
How to Reduce the Risk of Tumors in Cats
The best way to lower the risk of cancer in cats who live with smokers is to reduce or eliminate the pet's exposure to secondhand smoke. If stopping smoking is not an option, consider going outside to smoke. Set aside smoke-free rooms for pets, and keep the kitty in those rooms. Brushing the pet regularly will also remove smoking particulates from the fur before the cat can ingest them.
It's important to feed the cat a high-quality diet, and make sure he or she gets plenty of exercise. A healthy cat will have a stronger immune system, which helps a feline to resist infections like bronchitis and penumonia. An air purifier is useful for removing toxins from the air, which can help to reduce the risk of feline lymphoma.
Consider adding vitamin C and other antioxidants to the pet's diet. Antioxidants may help to reduce the feline's risk of developing cancer in cats.
Some smokers are convinced that a kitchen exhaust fan will pull all the cigarette smoke out of a house. This just isn't true. Many of the carcinogens in secondhand smoke are in the form of gases, which can't be removed by an exhaust fan. The smoke from one cigarette can linger for hours. In the meantime, the cat is exposed to all the toxins in the smoke.
Secondhand smoke can be dangerous to cats. Take steps now to reduce a beloved pet's risk of developing feline lymphoma.
Source:
New Study Shows Passive Cigarette Smoke At Least Doubles Risk Of Cancer In Cats
Darlene Norris - Darlene Norris is a cat-lover who has been owned by many kitties over the years. She was employed as an assistant manager at an animal ...
