BC SPCA warns of wildfire smoke affecting pets

Drever recommended keeping active pets occupied inside with puzzle games or long-lasting treats like animal bones. Photo: Lauryn Mackenzie / CHLY 101.7fm

Air quality warnings continue for several regions in the central Vancouver Island area due to the nearby wildfires. The BC SPCA is warning pet owners to keep their pets inside during smoky conditions.

This past week, the Nanaimo area saw the Air Quality Health Index reach high-risk conditions as smoke from the out-of-control Mount Underwood fire continues to burn near Port Alberni. 

The BC SPCA says when poor air quality is a concern, many of the warnings issued to humans can also apply to pets.

Eileen Drever, senior officer protection and stakeholder relations for the BC SPCA, told CHLY the best way to minimize harm to pets due to poor air quality is to keep them indoors with windows and doors closed.

“Try to avoid outdoor exercising, running or hiking, and actually limit outdoor time just to bathroom breaks,” Drever said. “We would also suggest considering air purifiers or filters.”

She said pets can also be a risk for respiratory issues when outside during smoky conditions, and it is important for pet owners to watch for symptoms.

“So some of the common signs of exposure are irritation of the throat, nose and eyes, making them red and watery,” she said. “Your dog or cat could actually start coughing, sneezing and runny nose, and gagging is another one to look out for, and difficulty breathing, even if they're resting, their respiratory rate can be increased. So check out those symptoms.”

She said if an animal is showing more severe symptoms, such as lethargy, blue or purple-tinged tongues, vomiting, or signs of burns or blistering on their face, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian immediately.

Drever recommended keeping active pets occupied inside with puzzle games or long-lasting treats like animal bones.

“Putting treats in a Kong or something, and that means that they have to work at getting the treat out to keep their mind occupied,” she said. “Just give them lots of attention. They always love attention, and they always provide unconditional love for us. This is a difficult time for them, and we should just be looking out for them.”

Drever said if an animal does go outside, they should be wiped off right away once back inside, especially cats, who could ingest smoke debris from cleaning their coats.

As wildfires burn in several different locations on Vancouver Island, Drever said it is very important to ensure pets have some form of identification, such as a microchip or a tag.

“Please make sure your animal has some form of identification on them, just in case they slip out and run off,” she said. “This is a scary time for animals, and they pick, they tend to pick up on our emotions as well. So try to keep calm, and they'll be calm with you. But if you get excited, they'll get excited.”

She also recommended having a grab-and-go bag prepared with medical records, a leash and harness, and identification, along with their crate, in case of an emergency evacuation.

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.