Secondhand smoking can kill your pet
Not only can pets breathe in the chemical substances, but they ‘can also ingest them by licking their owner’s hair, skin and clothes,’ warns expert
By Lee Jin-a
Secondhand smoking can endanger household pets, U.S. health officials say.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the organs of dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs and fish, increasing their risk of developing cancer, lung disease and heart disease.
The FDA has long warned that secondhand smoke can spread through the air and harm nearby people who inhale the fumes.
The agency also says people can be harmed by third-hand smoke, which originates from tobacco smoke residue left on skin, clothes, furniture and carpets.
“If 58 million non-smoking adults and children are exposed to tobacco smoke, imagine how many pets are exposed at the same time,” says FDA veterinarian Carmela Stamper.