Haze is in the air again. You smell it’s smoky presence. You feel the dryness in your throat. And all the while, the dog seems unconcerned. He happily sniffs the all but dried up grass that has spread across our landscape.
1. Know the signs of smoke haze effects on dogs
Is your dog affected by the smoke haze already?
Here are some of the symptoms you should be looking out for:
- Skin irritation, rashes
- Eye irritation – redness or abnormal eye discharge, squinting, eye rubbing
- Increased mucus production
- Respiratory problems – sneezing, coughing, wheezing, harsh or laboured breathing sounds.
See the vet if you notice these above symptoms are prolonged or excessive.
You will need IMMEDIATE medical assistance if your pet displays the following:
- collapse, unconscious
- uncoordinated movement
- blue/pale gums
- gasping for air
2. Help your dog feel better
These are some of the tips shared by vets during the haze last year to help your dog/pet:
- Forget the long walk.
- Go out more often for short toilet breaks only especially if PSI is unhealthy and PM2.5 is above 40.
- Wipe down face, body and paws thoroughly with damp cloth after walks.
- Keep pets indoors.
- Keep your home dust-free! Vaccuum and mop often.
- Turn on air conditioner/air purifier/fan where possible
- Keep the air moist! A cool mist humidifier is a great resource. Otherwise, try these tricks:
- Lay out damp laundry or a wet towel to dry over night
- Houseplants can add water in the air through transpiration. Easy to maintain plants like the sansevieria or snake plant and the money plant are great options before they clean the air naturally as well.
- Use artificial tears 2-3x daily to flush away possible eye irritants
- Increase water intake of your dog
- Increase water intake by making meat or fish broth for your dog. While no single food can boost immunity, meat and fish can be significant sources of omega 3 fatty acids, which may help respiratory infections.
- Plenty of cooled water will soothe the irritated and dehydrated mucous membrane.
The immune system can protect the lungs and respiratory tract efficiently by produce a good amount of phlegm to trap the dust particles and then subsequently force them out through coughing. - Change water bowls often.
- Pay more attention to the following pets with higher risks:
- pets with heart/lung disease
- pets with debilitating conditions, e.g. kidney, liver problems
- pets with eye conditions
- young pets less than 1 year old
- geriatric pets above 6-7 years old
3. Walk your dog when the air is healthy for him
Are you walking your dog in the haze when you shouldn’t?
Here’s a quick checklist to decide,
1. What is the latest reported PSI?
The new PSI incorporates PM2.5 into the PSI, along with the existing five pollutant parameters – SO2, PM10, , NO2, CO and O3. The 3-hour PSI is calculated based on PM2.5 concentration levels, as the PSI incorporates PM2.5 and PM2.5 is the main pollutant of concern during periods of smoke haze. – source
| PSI Value | Can you and the dog go out? |
| 0-100 | Healthy to Moderate range – dog walking is OK ;) – at home: remember to air your rooms! |
| 101-200 | Unhealthy, – go for short loo breaks only – humans should wear the N95 face mask if outside for a long time – at home: close doors/windows; circulate the air with a fan or air conditioner |
| 200 and above | Very unhealthy – best for dog to stay indoors – at home: close doors/windows; circulate the air with a fan or air conditioner |
2. What is the latest reported PM2.5?
(PM2.5 concentrations measure smaller particles that can settle in the lungs, which means it is more harmful than PM10.)
| PM2.5 Value | Can you and the dog go out? |
| 0-39 | Safe – dog walking is OK ;) – at home: remember to air your rooms! |
| 40 and above | Unsafe – best for dog to stay indoors – at home: close doors/windows; circulate the air with a fan or air conditioner |
| Note: It is possible for the PM2.5 to be at Unsafe levels, even when the PSI is reported in the healthy to moderate range. PM2.5 is more harmful, which is why I always check both values to be safe. I have an updated article here on more about the PSI and PM2.5 information.
Updated 13 Sep 2015: |
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References
- Light of Life Vet haze reminder
- Short term exposure to PM2.5 is harmful too
- How can I naturally humidify my home?
- How to protect your pets from haze – Yahoo News
- Oh no, it’s so hazy out there – infographic
- Keep your pets safe this hazy season – infographic
- Is the haze bad for my dog? – weliveinaflat.com
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Prue
A great reminder – thanks! Stay well.
weliveinaflat
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Prue! I just realised… looking at the point about geriatric pets that Donna will be 6 next year!! omg…
2browndawgs
This is one thing we normally do not have to worry about. You give good tips for those who do. :)
weliveinaflat
Each geography has it’s own perks and pain points ;) Have to say the haze really only got so bad in the last year, mainly because the winds have changed routes somewhat and started blowing the haze from deforestation in Indonesia over to us. Have to say we have been lucky to have escape the worse of it for many years.
Kyla
We’re in the country and more likely to get attacked by an owl.
weliveinaflat
Are they bigger than you? The owls?
Kyla
yes
runningwithsam
Wow, this is something we never need to consider! I feel horrible for you and Donna needing to deal with the haze. Stay safe.
weliveinaflat
It’s actually not as bad as it was last year, yet :) Hopefully the rain will come and clear the air a bit.
dorysbackyard
This will come in handy during fire season in the NW USA…thanks so much for the info!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Bilbo and Arty
weliveinaflat
Glad to help ;) Your local organisations may measure air quality differently though. PSI is a legacy measure that our country has used historically, which is why we look at both PSI and PM2.5.
pawedblog
Oh, I don’t think this is something we have to worry about in the UK. How worrying for you though, make sure you’re taking care. It’s a really great post, raising awareness and a good reminder!
Stay safe,
Hugs, Carrie (Myfie, Ellie and Millie) x
weliveinaflat
Thanks :)
ThatJenK
Wow – this is really interesting! The things people need to consider in different places around the world! Calgary has never had air quality issues, but you hear about it all the time south of the border in Los Angeles, and maybe even Toronto can experience it – I don’t know. Recent news showed Paris suffering from haze this week.
But having never experienced it, I definitely don’t know the appropriate dog-owner protocol. Thanks for sharing and educating!