The smoke from wildfires coming south from Canada this year affected people’s breathing across much of the northern tier of the country. Dogs have it worse than people because they can’t wear masks to keep out toxic particulates. At least one major veterinary hospital saw an uptick in cases of breathing difficulties among dogs affected by the smoky air. Exposure can cause irritation to the throat, nose, and eyes and even coughing and gagging.
If your area becomes affected by wildfire smoke, limit your dog’s time outside while air quality remains poor. Keeping your dog inside more may not prove difficult. Many dogs will react instinctively to the acrid odor of smoke and will not want to spend time outdoors.
