Secondhand smoke is bad for pets too, and makes dogs fat, study shows

Cats who live with smokers have it even worse than dogs, perhaps because they groom themselves so much, University of Glasgow research finds

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Your secondhand smoke is bad for dogs, especially neutered ones, and even worse for cats. Photo: Corbis

Published: 12:45pm, 30 Dec 2015Updated: 3:53pm, 30 Dec 2015

Secondhand smoke is bad for pets as well as people, the University of Glasgow says, citing an ongoing study into the effects of secondhand smoke on dogs and cats.

Research under way at the Scottish institution has found that pets living in a smoky environment have a higher risk of health problems including some animal cancers, cell damage and weight gain.

Cats may take in more of the chemicals in smoke because of how much they groom themselves. Photo: Corbis

“Pet owners often do not think about the impact that smoking could have on their pets,” said Clare Knottenbelt, professor of small animal medicine and oncology. “Our findings show that exposure to smoke in the home is having a direct impact on pets.

“It risks ongoing cell damage, increasing weight gain after castration and has previously been shown to increase the risk of certain cancers.”

Secondhand smoke is bad for pets too, and makes dogs fat, study shows

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Cats who live with smokers have it even worse than dogs, perhaps because they groom themselves so much, University of Glasgow research finds

.css-jfmysa{display:inline;word-break:break-word;}.css-1ankfgb{cursor:pointer;display:inline;word-break:break-word;}SEE ALSO: Four tips for stopping your pet becoming obese

Cats who live with smokers have it even worse than dogs, perhaps because they groom themselves so much, University of Glasgow research finds

SEE ALSO: Four tips for stopping your pet becoming obese