A VET has warned that vaping at home could be making your pets seriously ill.
While millions of people puff on the devices in the comfort of their own abode, an animal expert has stressed that doing so could lead to beloved pets vomiting and, in some cases, can cause cancer.
A vet has warned against vaping at home around pets, as it could be making them seriously illCredit: Getty
It’s also incredibly dangerous to leave your vape anywhere near a pet, as they could get hold of it and ingest itCredit: Getty
It can also lead to excessive drooling, skin conditions, allergies, eye issues, heart disease, respiratory issues and cancer, according to PDSA veterinary surgeon Catherine Burke.
Cats are prone to asthma, and could be poisoning themselves by licking the vapour off their fur, while dogs are susceptible to bronchitis.
“We have always warned about the effects of secondhand smoke on pets,” Catherine said.
“On humans it has been linked to breathing problems and certain types of cancer including lung, nose, and mouth cancers. That is the nicotine which is highly toxic to animals.
“Then we have the vapour itself which can include chemicals and these may irritate the delicate airways of pets, particularly in cats which can be prone to asthma-like conditions.”
Other animals that are particularly at risk are birds and small animals such as rabbits.
“If someone is vaping in the house alongside their cat there is a potential risk there,” she continued.
“It can cause breathing problems and there is some data to suggest that it could cause cancer.
“We also have the risk of the pet actually chewing or swallowing parts of the actual e-cigarette or vape.
“That could include the vaping liquid or even the battery itself.”
She advised keeping an eye out for coughing, wheezing and any changes in your pets’ breathing.
And contact a vet immediately if you see any symptoms.
To try and limit any harm to pets, avoid vaping near them if possible, keep your home ventilated and keep your vape out of animals’ reach.
“If possible, use vapes outdoors making your home as smoke and vapour free as possible,” she said.
“Don’t keep your vape or e-cigarette in the same room as your pet or where they can get to it, and don’t put your cartridges in the bin where dogs can go rummaging. It is just not worth the risk.”
Catherine’s warning comes after a study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice reviewed more than 300 cases of dogs exposed to e-liquids and vape devices between 2011 and 2024.
The 4 horrifying things that can happen to your body after vaping
VAPES were once hailed as miracle devices to help adults ditch cigarettes.
But while the devices don’t carry the same risks as tobacco, experts have warned that vaping might not be so harmless after all.
Here are five ways vaping could damage young users bodies:
1. It could slow down brain development
Vaping nicotine can permanently affect brain development in people under the age of 25, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
It said that nicotine consumed during teenage years can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control, as well as increase the risk of addiction.
2. It could lead to tooth decay
Dr Michael Heffernan, a dentist at The Wessex Dental Specialist Care, said most vapes contain dangerous chemicals that can harm your teeth and lead to decay.
Puffing on the devices could also lead to mouth dryness, creating an environment in which harmful bacteria can grow.
3. It could damage heart health
However, some of the chemicals found in vapes can be damaging to the , with the American Heart Association (AHA) stating that vaping is “as harmful to the body’s cardiovascular systems as cigarettes”.
4. It could cause lung disease
Vaping from a young age could leave children with breathing difficulties, with paediatric respiratory consultant Dr Mike McKean saying he’d seen reports of people developing lung disease related to vaping.
Researchers from the US also found that young people who vape are more at risk of , inflammation of the airways, and shortness of breath.
Read more on how vaping can affect your health .
The study found that while many pets developed mild symptoms, some suffered severe poisoning, with at least one fatal case reported.
Dr Katharine Nelson, director of general practice at the Royal Veterinary College’s Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, says that some pets have even eaten batteries.
“At the Royal Veterinary College’s Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital in Camden, our vets commonly see pets with breathing difficulties,” she said.
“Conditions such as asthma in cats and bronchitis in dogs are often triggered or worsened by irritants in the air, and pet birds are especially sensitive to poor air quality.
“Vapes can also be harmful if chewed or eaten by pets. Liquid ingredients, such as nicotine or propylene glycol, can be directly toxic, but the team have also seen dogs that have eaten vape casings and batteries, which can cause internal damage.”
PDSA Veterinary Surgeon Catherine Burke issued the warningCredit: SWNS
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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