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Most of us know that vaping is much safer than smoking, as it doesn’t include combustion, tar, and all the toxins released through the smoke. But is it safe for pets too to inhale second-hand vapour? That’s one of the most burning questions among pet owners who vape.
Well, we are here to answer it. We’ve done the research and dug through various scientific studies to determine if it’s safe to vape around pets. Here’s what we’ve learned.
Is Second-Hand Vapor Dangerous for Cats and Dogs?
Unfortunately, there isn’t much research on vaping and pets. However, the available studies show that second-hand vapour doesn’t necessarily have to be dangerous for pets, particularly cats and dogs.
Vapour doesn’t contain the dangerous toxins found in cigarette smoke, but it may contain nicotine. Nicotine is harmful to humans, and even more so for animals.
So, if your e-liquid contains nicotine, you may be harming your furry little friend.
According to a group of studies on the effects of second-hand smoke on pets, animals, too, can develop health problems due to toxins in smoke.
By inhaling second-hand smoke, cats can develop lymphoma and mouth cancer, while dogs can develop lung cancer, nasal cancer, and various respiratory problems.
But there’s also third-hand smoke, which includes minuscule particles that fall on various surfaces from the smoke.
Since cats love their grooming, third-hand smoke can be particularly dangerous for them. Those toxic particles from third-hand smoke can easily land on their fur, which could also cause skin allergies.
Again, vapour doesn’t contain any hazardous chemicals, so vaping around cats and dogs can be safe – unless you vape with nicotine. Hence, always buy good quality and possibly nicotine-free e juices from reputed sellers like Vaporizer Chief.
What About Birds?
With their tiny lungs, birds are much more susceptible to the dangers of smoke. But when it comes to vape, there’s no reason to believe that vapour would bother them or be bad for their health.
However, just like with cats and dogs, vaping with nicotine can be harmful to birds.
Exposing a bird to second-hand and third-hand vapour from a nicotine vape juice could lead to:
- Respiratory problems
- Pneumonia
- Eye problems
- Allergies
- Heart problems
- Lung cancer
- Feather plucking
- Fertility issues
- Death
So, the best way to keep your bird pet safe is to either vape without nicotine or vape outside, or at least not in the same room where your pet resides.
What Could Happen If Your Pet Were to Ingest Your E-Liquid?
If your pet were to ingest your e-liquid that contains nicotine, it could get nicotine poisoning. Depending on the amount of ingested vape juice, such an incident could potentially be fatal, no matter the size of your pet.
Even if the vape juice doesn’t contain nicotine, your pet could still get sick. That’s because e-liquids contain propylene glycol to which pets (especially cats) are susceptible. They could develop a type of anaemia.
The symptoms of anaemia in cats include:
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Pale gums
- Fast pulse
- Fever
- Skin discolouration
- Discoloured urine
Watch out for these signs of nicotine poisoning in pets:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Muscle weakness
- Excess drooling
- Constricted pupils
If you notice any of these signs, take your pet to the vet immediately. It may not be nicotine poisoning, but any of these symptoms may indicate that something is messing with your pet’s health.
4 Ways to Safely Vape Around Your Pet
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If you own a pet, then you must be responsible. Don’t pose a risk to its health, especially if you vape with nicotine. Here’s how you can keep your pet safe while vaping.
Keep Your E-Liquid Bottles Tightly Closed and Out of Your Pet’s Reach
If you leave your vape juice lying around, your pet could easily chew through the plastic bottle and ingest the e-liquid. Always keep it stored somewhere secure, especially if you have a cat that loves climbing everywhere and trying to fit into the smallest of spaces.
Don’t Leave Your Vaping Device Lying Around
Although vape pens and other devices may be more difficult to chew through than e-liquid bottles, pets love a good challenge. Keep your vaping device out of your pet’s reach when you’re not using it.
Vape Outside or with an Open Window
If your pet is staying in the same room where you vape, always keep a window open. But the best way to keep your pet safe would be to go and vape outside.
Invest in a High-Quality Air Purifier
With an air purifier, you’ll make sure the air in your home is always pure and safe, which is especially vital if you vape with nicotine. Just make sure you regularly replace the filters.
As you can see, vaping around pets doesn’t have to be harmful to their health. As long as you’re vaping responsibly when your pet is around, you’ll keep your furry little friend safe and healthy.
