Protect Your Pets from Wildfire Smoke
Your pets can be affected by wildfire smoke. If you feel the effects of smoke, they probably do, too! Smoke can irritate your pet’s eyes and respiratory tract. Evidence in humans indicates that the effects of exposure to smoke and heat together are much worse than to smoke alone. This is also likely true for your pets. Animals that are older, younger or pregnant or have heart or lung disease are especially at risk from smoke or heat and should be closely watched during all periods of poor air quality. Pet owners should consult with their veterinarian for advice to manage their pets during a smoke event, or a combined smoke and heat event, and to make an evacuation plan.
On this page:
- Protect Your Pets From Smoke
- Know the Signs of Smoke and Heat Exposure
- Be Ready to Evacuate
- Resources
Even if the fire danger is not imminent, high levels of smoke may force you to stay indoors more than usual or even to evacuate. Reduce your pet’s exposure to smoke as you would reduce your own by using the Air Quality Index at the Fire and Smoke Map to inform decisions.
Prepare for wildfire smoke:
Plan to keep your home cool and filter the indoor air. Buy a portable air cleaner and high-efficiency HVAC filters if they are compatible with your central air system. Learn how to adjust your air conditioner to keep smoke out. See the Indoor Air Filtration and Protect Yourself from Smoke and Heat Wildfire Guide fact sheets for more information.
Think about creating a cleaner air room in your house with a portable air cleaner. See the How to Create a Cleaner Air Room at Home Wildfire Guide fact sheet for advice on selecting a room and cleaning the indoor air.
When smoke and heat are present:
- Keep pets indoors as much as you can, with doors and windows closed if you can stay cool. Keep outdoor bathroom breaks short. Bring outdoor pets into a less smoky, cooler environment, like a utility room, garage, or bathroom. Move potentially dangerous products, such as pesticides, out of their reach.
- Make water available at all times.
- If you do not have air conditioning, close blinds and shades before it gets hot to keep your house cooler. At night when it is cooler, open the windows and use fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air. Then close the windows and use a portable air cleaner to remove smoke.
- Keep indoor air clean. Avoid cooking, especially frying or broiling, and do not vacuum, burn candles, use a fireplace or woodstove, or smoke or vape. These activities add particles to your home.
- Spend less time outdoors and limit physical activities when it is smoky. For example, when it’s smoky, it’s not a good time for you and your pet to go for a run. Reducing physical activities outdoors is especially important if it is also hot outside.
- Short-nosed dogs, such as pugs and bulldogs, can have trouble breathing if there is smoke or heat. Use extra caution for these breeds.
- Pet birds are particularly susceptible to smoke. Keep them inside, in a cleaner air room, if possible, when smoke is present.
Consult your veterinarian if any of your animals are having any of these signs:
- Excessive coughing or gagging.
- Trouble breathing, including open-mouth breathing, more noise when breathing, or rapid breathing.
- Red or watery eyes, nasal discharge, inflammation of throat or mouth, or reluctance to eat hard foods.
- Excessive panting.
- Fatigue or weakness, disorientation, uneven gait, or stumbling.
- Reduced appetite or thirst.
- In addition, cats may exhibit restless behavior, search for a cool spot, pant, drool, and have sweaty paws.
Include your pets in your planning. Have each pet permanently identified, for example with a microchip. Know where they will be allowed to go if there is an evacuation—not all emergency shelters accept pets. Know where your pets might hide when stressed, so you won’t have to spend time looking for them in an emergency. Get pets used to their carriers and have your family practice evacuating with your pets. Covering carriers with a sheet during transport may calm a nervous pet.
If you must leave your pets behind, never tie them up.
Information on Air Quality
Check out the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, your state air quality website, or your local news for air quality information. Access these resources using the links below!
