A Beginner’s Guide to Pet Birds

We’ve all heard about the dog-person or cat-person dichotomy, but there’s another special pet that takes a special kind of person to adopt: birds. Whether you want to hear your pet say “Hey!” when you come home or just spend time with your new companion, this guide will get you started on the exciting world of bird adoption.

What Types of Birds Make Good Pets?

There are plenty of friendly bird species out there that flourish in bird-lovers’ households. As a rule of thumb, for beginners, the best pet birds are those that are gentle, relatively low maintenance, and naturally friendly. There are plenty of great birds out there for beginners, but here are just a couple of examples:

1. Parrolets are tiny, personality-packed birds that are known for forming strong bonds with their owners. They’re small, averaging about 5 inches, and require a lot of socialization and playtime. As long as you can spend meaningful amounts of time with them every day, they’re great beginner birds!

2. Parakeets are small, trainable, and affectionate birds. They’re the smallest of the parrot species, and they’re generally playful and sweet. They can also mimic human speech and other household sounds like ringtones and opening doors!

3. Cockatiels are Australian birds known for their friendly and affectionate dispositions. They’re about twice the size of parakeets and have a few vocal tricks of their own, like whistling and mimicking some environmental sounds around them. Mostly, they can’t mimic speech. But they might start mimicking your doorbell!

For bird owners with more experience and time on their hands, there are a few other bird species that are incredibly rewarding companions! They just need a lot more attention. Let’s look at two examples:

1. Cockatoos are medium-sized birds with beautiful plumage. Overall, they’re quite playful, but they’re also very intelligent and socially needy. Once they bond with their owners, they can quickly become depressed if you don’t spend enough time with them. As such, make sure you know what’s needed from you to give a cockatoo a good life.

2. If you’re looking for a highly affectionate and playful bird, then the hyacinth macaw is a great option. Just understand that they’re big birds, averaging 40 inches! They’ll need a lot of room to live comfortably, and you’ll need a lot of free space to store their big cage.

How Do I Bond With a Bird?

Birds aren’t the same as dogs and cats — they’re flock animals and won’t naturally see people as their friends. That’s why bonding is so important. After all, by bringing a bird into your home, you’re probably the only significant relationship it will have for its entire life. Making sure your bird is happy and healthy means keeping a strong bond. Here’s what you should do:

1. Socialize: Birds are social animals. They need to have regular and meaningful mental stimulation to live happy lives, especially if they’re caged for the majority of their life. Make sure you talk in a gentle and friendly voice to your bird, hang out near the cage while doing other things, and gently handle your bird.

2. Play: Mental stimulation isn’t just about talking — birds also love to play with toys! It keeps their brain active. A bored bird can be very difficult to deal with, and with too little to do in so confined a space, your companion can become depressed. Great bird toys involve swings, foraging feeders, chewable kabobs, and more.

3. Share: Birds really appreciate when it looks like you’re sharing your food with them. You can pretend to take a bite out of a bird snack and then hand them the rest, or you can share bird-safe food with them. This shows your companion that you’ll take care of them — even if it means less food for you!

4. Comfort: Different birds appreciate different types of affection, but all birds want to be comforted. If your bird isn’t bonded to you yet, then slow and respectful movements will keep them comfortable until they’re ready to be petted and picked up. If you and your bird are already close, then figure out how they like to be petted and played with!

Help a Bird, Help Yourself

Pets are remarkable at keeping us healthy — they get us off the couch, give us plenty of love, and bring us so much joy. If you’re an animal lover, you may benefit from an emotional support animal or exploring animal-assisted therapy. I’d be happy to give you more information. Feel free to read more here or contact me!

Everything You Need to Know About Pet Rabbits

There’s nothing better than cuddling up with a floppy, fluffy rabbit, but prospective bunny parents should know that these pets are just as complicated as dogs and cats. That’s why, in this article, we’re going to explore six must-know facts about owning and taking care of rabbits as pets. Let’s get started!

1. What are Bunnies Like as Pets?

Rabbits are clean, cozy, sociable, and playful. They love spending time around people and other rabbits, and they’re always up to something, whether that’s breaking apart their cardboard castles or hopping up and down ramps. Like dogs, cats, and other sociable pets, they need plenty of face-to-face playtime and exercise.

They also need to be groomed, since they tend to shed. By removing loose fur, you can make sure they don’t ingest it, which can lead to some health issues. Finally, since rabbits are very timid, they won’t make it obvious if they’re sick or hurting. So, take them for regular checkups at the vet!

2. Rabbits Roam — So Bunny-Proof Your House.

Just like other animals, rabbits aren’t meant to be stuck in a cage all day. They have a lot of complicated feelings and needs, which include exploring the world around them, choosing where they go, and socializing with their rabbit friends and you.

But just as natural to rabbits as their wanderlust is their proclivity to nibble on everything. From laptop chargers and ethernet cables to shoe straps and clothes, anything is fair game. Make sure there are zero wires within their reach (they can electrocute your pet) and that nothing you’d miss is in the bunny danger zone. 

3. Are Rabbits Picky Eaters?

They aren’t exactly “picky eaters” — but, just like us, they require a diverse, exciting, and easy diet to be healthy and happy. Make sure your rabbit has an abundance of fresh hay (timothy hay, grass hay, or oat hay) available. This is where they’ll get the majority of their nutrients.

But that’s not all! Your rabbits need fresh greens and fiber-rich pellets to round off their diet. Here are a few things your rabbit would love to snack on: basil, bok choy, carrot tops, celery, collard greens, dill, and broccoli leaves.

4. You’re in Luck — They Poop in One Place.

Not only is rabbit poop extremely easy to clean up (they’re just tiny pellets that are almost odorless), but rabbits also like to go to the bathroom in just one spot. All you have to do is set up a comfy litter box area near their food and water. It sounds counterintuitive to place it near their food, but rabbits tend to go to the bathroom while they eat.

It doesn’t have to be fancy, but you should understand that there are some materials you simply cannot use. These common materials are unsafe for rabbits: wood shavings, clay cat litter, and clumping cat litter. Instead, use rabbit-safe litter (like pellet litter made from recycled newspapers) and then place a bunch of hay on top of it. 

5. Bunnies Get Bored — Here’s What They Love.

Rabbits are smart and sociable pets with very active mental lives. Trapping them in a cage alone with only one or two visits a day would be a very, very sad life. You should treat them more like dogs than fish — giving them lots of social time, playtime, free time, and even fresh air.

Beyond equipping their cage with the right exercise gear, as we’ll get to next, your rabbits should have plenty of things to stimulate them. This includes other rabbits, logic toys, a variety of chewable things, and plenty of time out of the cage where they can move around freely. If you can safely bring your rabbit outside (something away from predators, like a roofed patio), then they would love the fresh air!

6. Rabbit Homes Should Be Cozy and Fun.

Rabbits are going to spend a lot of time in their cage (but they can live free-reign in a dedicated room too), so you should always err on the side of getting a cage that’s too big rather than too small. There are three main factors to consider: coziness, nutrition, and fun.

For coziness, rabbits love their beds — so much that they eat them! Make sure your rabbit bedding is non-toxic, like aspen shreds, shredded pepper, or hay. As for nutrition, we covered what rabbits need to eat for a varied and healthy diet, but make sure their eating nook is always filled with fresh water and plenty of food.

Now for fun. Keeping in mind the mental stimulation we discussed earlier, your rabbit’s room or cage should include things that encourage thinking and exercise. Ramps and edible things that they can roll, rattle, drag, and chew are perfect. (They also love cardboard castles!)

Help a Rabbit, Help Yourself

Pets are remarkable at keeping us healthy — they get us off the couch, give us plenty of love, and bring us so much joy. If you’re an animal lover, you may benefit from an emotional support animal or exploring animal-assisted therapy. I’d be happy to give you more information. Feel free to read more here or contact me!

A Field Guide to Pet Ferrets: What to Know

Ferrets are silly, energetic, and mischievous pets, but don’t let their looks fool you — they’re smart enough to learn tricks, love socializing with their fellow ferrets, and can form really meaningful bonds with people. While they’re definitely considered a “low-maintenance” pet, they’re still a big responsibility (and a big source of love).

From balancing their diets and giving them plenty of play time to getting check-ups at the vet and keeping their homes clean, there’s plenty to know before you get your fuzzy friends! That’s why, in this quick guide to pet ferrets, we’re going to explore the top five things to prepare for.

1. Ferrets are a Social Bunch

They might not be as people-oriented as dogs, but ferrets are very smart pets who love to socialize. Ideally, they’ll have more than just their owners to hang out with. After all, you’d get pretty lonely cooped up in a room too, right? With a ferret friend, your pets will have plenty of opportunities to talk, play, and stay stimulated. Otherwise, your pet might get bored, depressed, and just overall gloomy.

2. Ferrets Have a…Unique Smell

If you’ve ever been around wild ferrets before, you’ve probably deduced that they have scent glands. Those glands release that powerful musky smell that you definitely don’t want in your home. That’s why many domestic ferrets have been “descented,” which is a surgical procedure that removes those glands. It doesn’t get rid of the smelliness of your ferrets completely, but it substantially reduces it.

If you feel bad that you have to put your pets through surgery for your own comfort, then understand that descenting surgery isn’t necessary. While popular for domestic ferrets, you can always ventilate and clean the ferret room to keep the smell under control!

3. Ferrets Need Check-Ups Too

Some people approach less-common pets like ferrets, hamsters, and reptiles as lower maintenance animals than your typical cat and dog. While in some ways that’s true, your uncommon pet still needs to get regular checkups to make sure they’re in tip-top shape! Like all animals, ferrets have particular health issues that they’re susceptible to, and they’re counting on you to take care of them.

One common condition is an adrenal gland disease, which isn’t fully understood and has no complete cure. If your ferret has this disease, they might lose their hair, get vulvic enlargement and prostatic inflammation, become aggressive, and itch all day. So get your pets looked at regularly to keep them as happy and comfortable as possible!

4. Ferrets Wouldn’t Mind Some Fresh Food

Ferrets have very particular diets — ideally, they’ll consume food that has a bunch of protein and fat and limited carbohydrates. While a typical commercial ferret food will check all of these boxes, some pet owners feel like that limits their quality of life (like dogs eating the same dry kibble all day, every day)! If you want to spice things up for your pet ferrets, you can look up recipes that incorporate foods like raw meat, dairy, and eggs.

5. Ferrets Need a Big, Fun, and Cozy Home

Since your ferret will spend most of its life in a cage, it’s really, really important that they have everything they need to live happy, exciting, and healthy lives. Beyond physical health, there’s a lot to consider regarding mental health. These are the biggest checkboxes to fill while you’re getting your ferret home ready!

• Space: Adult ferrets are around 20 inches long from snout to tail! Make sure you overestimate the size of your cage. Ideally, you’ll get a big, perhaps even multistaged, cage with plenty of room for toys, structures, food, water, and waste. The first floor is perfect for potty time, the second for play time, and the third for sleeping time. They’ll be very thankful.

• Fun: Ferrets are smart and social, and as such, they require a lot of mental stimulation. Make sure they have tubes to crawl through, structures to climb, burrows to crawl into, and plenty of ferret toys to keep them occupied. Since most ferrets need buddies, make sure there’s enough for everyone!

• Coziness: Ferrets are cuddly pets. Make sure they have plenty of nooks to hang out in and ample bedding to sleep in. They love t-shirts, towels, blankets, cloth bags, and especially ferret hammocks!

• Free Time: Cages are not permanent homes for your ferrets — they’re just where your pet will stay while you aren’t spending time with them. Ferrets, like all pets, require ample time to roam and feel free in safe play areas. Just remember that these escape artists will take advantage of even the smallest openings!

Help a Ferert, Help Yourself

Pets are remarkable at keeping us healthy — they get us off the couch, give us plenty of love, and bring us so much joy. If you’re an animal lover, you may benefit from an emotional support animal or exploring animal-assisted therapy. I’d be happy to give you more information. Feel free to read more here or contact me!

Best Large Dog Breeds for Apartments

Few decisions are as lovely and life-changing as adopting a dog, but should your square footage limit which pup you give a home? Of course not! The truth is, a dog’s size isn’t always an indication of how big a home it needs. Some little dogs just want to run around all day, while some big dogs are couch potatoes.

As long as you’ve done a bit of research and know that your prospective pup’s breed is a good fit for apartment living, then you can adopt them, big or small, and know they’ll have happy lives. A loving home is much better than another month at the shelter, after all. While this is far from a comprehensive list, here are a few pointers when it comes to large dog breeds for apartments.

The Gentle Giant: Saint Bernards

Beautiful and loyal, Saint Bernards are large fluffy dogs who just love a nap. While every dog deserves a long walk or two a day, Saint Bernards will be more than happy between exercise to lay around with their families. These big guys and gals are calm and loving, so you don’t need to worry as much about stubbornness, tantrums, or home-wrecking behavior.

The Coach Potato: Golden Retrievers  

You definitely saw this one coming. This classic dog breed isn’t just cuddly, loving, and calm, but they’re also super dedicated to their families and easy to train. As far as big apartment dogs go, you can’t do much better than a Golden Retriever! Most people will still be able to pick up their Goldens when they’re fully grown (maybe with some effort!) for vet trips and car rides, and when the time comes to binge watch on lazy Sundays, you have a sleepy foot warmer who’s just as excited to relax as you are.

The Sleepy Sprinter: Greyhounds

They’re big, tall, and made to run — but Greyhounds are often recommended as great apartment dogs. Why? Because they love a long nap and family time just as much as you do.   Famously low-demand pets, Grey Hounds are great apartment companions. Again, all dogs need sufficient exercise every day, but your Greyhound won’t be nearly as antsy and needy as, for instance, a Husky! They might be fast, but they have low stamina, so a quick jog or park visit will make them super happy to lounge around for the rest of the day.

The Lovable Watchdog: Great Pyrenees 

Great Pyrenees are big, white, and fluffy dogs weighing up to (and sometimes over) 150 pounds. These lovable bears are very lazy and very family-oriented, so they’ll be happy hanging out around the house when you’re home and holding down the fort when you’re gone. Like the other breeds on our list, Great Pyrenees are calm and can live happy lives in apartments as long as they get outside for a walk a day! 

The Perennial Parent: Bernese Mountain Dogs

This big, classic fluffball is widely known as a smart and loving addition to any family. In fact, when it comes to being gentle around children, Bernese Mountain Dogs are at the top of the list! They love hanging out with kids, long lazy afternoons, and a good walk a day. Better yet, they aren’t really barkers, and they’re super friendly around other dogs — which is great news for apartment dwellers who need to worry about their neighbors.

Help a Dog, Help Yourself 

Pets are remarkable at keeping us healthy — they get us off the couch, give us plenty of love, and protect our families. When you adopt a dog, they’re rescuing you too. If you’ve been thinking about getting an emotional support animal, training your dog to become one, or exploring animal-assisted therapy, then I’d be happy to give you more information. Feel free to read more here or contact me.

How Long Can You Leave a Cat Alone?

Cat lovers know that their feline friends aren’t nearly as solitary as conventional wisdom would tell them. The truth is, cats also love to socialize, hang out around their people, play with toys, and just explore! But since most pet-owning households are a revolving door of people coming and going from work and other obligations, how long is too long when it comes to leaving your cat alone?

Am I Leaving My Cat Alone for Too Long?

Before we get into it, understand that there’s a very big difference between cats and kittens. If you’re raising a kitten under four months old, then you should never leave them alone for more than three or four hours — they’re just too delicate and needy! By the time a kitten hits six months, it’s ok to leave them alone for the typical eight-hour workday.

Now, adult cats are another story. Since cats don’t need to be walked every day, or let out to do their bathroom business, they’re much lower maintenance. As long as your cat has food available and plenty of fresh, clean water, then leaving your cat alone for a typical 8-hour workday is no big deal. In fact, as long as you’re giving your cat plenty of facetime and stimulation when you’re home, most cats can live perfectly content lives around their pet parent’s full-time schedules.

Where things get more complicated is when you’re going to leave for a day or more (consider a cat sitter, just to be safe). If your cat will be alone for 24 hours, there’s a bit more to take into consideration. For instance, if your cat eats wet food, bugs might get to it within that timeframe, making it unpleasant or inedible. Water may also get dirty, and your cat’s litter box may get too full or smelly to use.

More than that, the home will just feel so empty! You simply being present is stimulating for your pets — and they really, really notice it when you’re gone. So, if you’re going to leave your cat alone for a day or more, make sure you give them plenty of play time, companionship, and entertainment before you go — and make sure you do these five things.

Five Things to Do Before You Leave Your Cat at Home

You can’t take your cat everywhere, unfortunately! While leaving your cat alone for 24 hours at a time is mostly ok, it shouldn’t happen frequently. That said, there are a few things you can do to make your stay-at-home cat as comfortable and happy as possible! Here they are:

• Air Conditioning: What’s the temperature going to be while you’re gone — especially if it’s for one to two days? Make sure your set the thermostat to a comfortable level. For your cat’s sake, don’t turn it off! It can get really cold or really hot faster than you think.

• Additional Litter Boxes: While you’re gone, there won’t be any litter scooping, so your cat’s litter box can fill up and, more importantly, get really unpleasant really quickly. To make sure your cat can use the bathroom without distress, put out a second litter box in a visible spot a day or so before you leave. 

• Leave on Music or TV: I know it sounds a bit silly, but cats are social animals just like us. They need stimulation, and there’s nothing more dispiriting than days in an empty, silent household. At a low volume, play a calming music channel or television channel to spice up your cat’s atmosphere. It really does help — just not too loud!

• Lay Out Dry Food: Wet food, as I’ve mentioned, can get pretty gross left out in the open for too long — especially if there are bugs around. If you’re going to leave your cat alone for a day or so, make sure you have dry food they’re acquainted with available. It’ll stay fresh, even if it isn’t as tasty as those wet canned foods!

• Go Overboard on Water: As a rule of thumb, overestimate how much water you should leave out. Fill up your cat’s typical bowl, and then leave out a few more bowls in different rooms. Automatic water bowls are a nice amenity, but they aren’t necessary as long as your cat has plenty to drink!

Thanks for Taking Care of Your Cat!

It’s hard to part from our furry companions, but they’ll be glad to know that you’re taking care of them even from afar! Did you know they can take care of you too? If you’re a cat lover, then you might be interested in learning about emotional support animals or animal-assisted therapy. Well, I’m here to answer any and all of your questions! Feel free to send a message.

Unbeatable Holiday Gifts for Pets and Pet Parents

There’s no better time of year to show our pets just how much we care about them. After a year of unconditional love (and maybe a tantrum or two), the holidays give us the opportunity to give back to our furry friends. Whether you’re shopping for your own pets or for a pet parent, here are some can’t-miss gift ideas to inspire your shopping!

A Comfy Padded Harness

Dog walks are the best. Even if we aren’t always in the mood to take them, they keep us healthy and give us the chance to watch our pets enjoy the various sights, sounds, and smells of nature. But anyone with a “puller” knows that collars or strappy harnesses can be really uncomfortable. Dogs are always troopers about discomfort, but one big quality-of-life improvement you can give your pet is a high-quality padded harness to make walks less painful!

Puzzle Toys for Smart and Stubborn Pets

If you’ve heard one-too-many stories about your friend’s restless and cunning Husky or stealthy and mischievous cat, then puzzle toys are a great idea. From IQ balls, which only release treats if they’re rolled in just the right way, to maze-like puzzles that require pets to move pieces around the board to “unlock” their food, these tricky toys are sure to keep them occupied.

Matching Pet and Person Sweaters

That’s right; these exist. Believe it or not, there’s no shortage of clothing companies and independent artisans who make matching holiday clothing for pets and their people. If your friends or family have multiple animals, you could even find a dog, cat, and mom-and-dad combo! Opening up a matching sweater gift will make any pet parent smile! 

Treat-Tossing Pet Cameras

Leaving your pets alone at home is always a heartbreaker, but you or your pet parent friends can feel a bit more comfortable if you can see what your pets are up to (and even toss them a treat from your phone). That’s where dog cameras come in. Using an app, you can simply check in on your pets. Some cameras even notify you if your dog begins barking — meaning they can double as a security camera! Not a bad investment.

Humorously Luxurious Pet Treats

Sometimes crossing the line gets a big laugh. From luxury dog macrons to high-end cat snacks, an assortment of ridiculous pet treats will put a smile on any pet parent’s face. You could even put together a five-star pet snack pack including fresh-ingredient entrees, a pack of high-end snacks, and a fun pet desert.

Motion-Activated Cat Toys

Any pet parent who works from home knows just how tough conference calls can be with a needy cat. Motion-activated cat toys are a great way to keep those kittens occupied. My favorite is an automatic laser toy that senses your cat’s presence and begins moving a laser pointer around. It’s a big help, and it’s fun to watch!

Doggy DNA Kits (for Health and Fun)

If your friend has always speculated about what type of breed their dog is, then a DNA kit could be a great gift. The results can be pretty shocking — not only will you find out why your dog’s ears stand up or what breed mix they are, but you’ll also get a bunch of prospective health information so you can make sure your pet lives a long and happy life.

Custom Pet Portrait or Pillow

Imagine opening up a gift and finding a comfy throw pillow with your dog or cat’s face tastefully woven into the fabric — it’s a heartwarming gift that will keep on giving. These types of custom pet items are pretty common now. You can even commission hand-designed pet portraits to hang up on the wall! If you’re feeling really crazy, there are even companies that create exact replicas of your pets — right down to their size and the way their fur feels.

Happy Holidays to You and Your Pets!

Hopefully this little guide gave you some big ideas for the upcoming holidays. If you’re interested in giving yourself a gift, consider learning about emotional support animals or animal-assisted therapy. Let’s make this next year your best yet. I’m just a message away!

Your Guide to a Dog-Friendly Hotel Holiday

With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time for pet parents to start asking themselves that all-too-familiar question: how are we going to bring our furry friend on our trip? In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know to take a pet-friendly hotel holiday — from planning and packing to travel and lodging!

What’s a Hotel Holiday?

Whether you’re visiting family and friends or not, your whole family will love to get away from it all with a quick hotel holiday trip with your pet. It’s pretty self-explanatory — a hotel holiday trip is just a chance to get some new scenery and hang out with family without all the stress of a full-fledged vacation.

That’s perfect for dog owners who might otherwise worry about keeping their pets in someone else’s house or hiring a pet sitter. Instead, you can just hang out in a pet-friendly hotel and explore the area. This is also a great option for longer vacations where it just wouldn’t feel right to leave your dog behind!

Planning Your Dog-Friendly Hotel Holiday

First, figure out where you want to go and what activities your whole family can do once you’re there. I recommend using Google Map’s street view feature to see how walkable the area is. Key things to look for are dog park availability (to get some of that anxious energy out), the dog friendliness of nearby shops (signage and outside water bowls are a good indication), and the availability of dog-friendly hotels.

When it comes to hotels, it can get a bit tricky. Read carefully about what specifications dog-friendly hotels have. Some, for instance, only allow dogs under 50 pounds. Others only allow breeds that they consider “non-aggressive.” It can be a bit frusterating, but make sure your pup will be allowed in once the time comes to check in! That isn’t a surprise anyone wants after a road trip.

Finally, remember to have all of your dog gear packed. That includes medication, potty bags, bowls for eating and drinking, enough kibble to last the whole trip, a leash and harness for walks, a seat cover or blanket for coziness and stain resistance, relevant paperwork like vaccinations, and plenty of treats to reward good behavior!

Tips for a Flawless Holiday with Your Dog

While it introduces plenty of new considerations, if you’re bringing your dog on your holiday trip, then it’s going to be a lot more fun too! Let’s go over a few best practices and pet etiquette tips to make sure your holiday is as smooth as possible.

Bag it Up: Always, and I mean always, have potty bags available. You never know when your dog is ready to go. I find it helpful to tie two to the leash handle so they’re always nearby!

Anxiety Means Exercise: If your dog is being anxious, moody, or high-maintenance, remember that they aren’t just deciding to be that way — they need help and don’t know how to ask for it! Nine times out of ten, my dog just needs to burn some energy to get back to her fun-loving self.

Leashed and Attended: If you’re in public, then never ever leave your dog unattended. Don’t hand them to a stranger while you grab a quick coffee or tie them to a post. It’s scary and could put them in danger (or others if your dog gets reactive from being left alone!)

Make it Home-y: To help your dog settle in at the hotel room, bring a familiar blanket, dog bed, and toys. The familiar smells always help ease my dog’s tension, and it helps them understand that this is going to be home for the next few days.

Restaurant Etiquette: Pretty much all food establishments won’t allow dogs inside, so expect to eat in outdoor seating areas. It’s key to bring treats and long-lasting dog chews in this situation. If your dog is easily distracted, dining during off hours might help too!

Learn More About Service Dogs & Animal-Assisted Therapy

Your dog will be thrilled to come along on your trip—and they’d be happy to help you in other ways too. Animal-assisted therapy is a great way to strengthen your bond with your dog (or a therapy dog!) and learn more about what you need in life to be happy. If you’ve been thinking about getting an emotional support animal, training your dog to become one, or exploring therapy, then I’d be happy to give you more information. Feel free to read more here or contact me.

Let Your Pets Help You Quit Smoking

We all know that smoking is harmful, but it’s less widely known that secondhand smoke can cause the same devastating effects to the people around smokers. As it turns out, pets aren’t any different. Pets who live with smokers can experience shorter lives and serious health complications as a direct result of their owner’s secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Whether you’re taking care of dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, or any other living thing, smoke particles are a serious threat to their well-being (and yours). That’s why, in this article, we’re going to explore why smoking harms pets and how looking out for their health can help you look out for your own!

Why is Smoking So Bad?

As the FDA writes on its website, the residue of smoke that sits on walls, clothes, and skin, which is referred to as thirdhand smoke, also attaches to pet fur. Since there’s no risk-free level of smoke exposure, smoking around family and pets could also subject them to illnesses and diseases. In people, this can include lung cancer, heart disease, hardened arteries, asthma, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome. Let’s take a closer look at how this happens.

As people smoke, the nearly 600 ingredients in unlit cigarettes react with one another and, once burned, release over 7,000 chemicals. Over time, these chemicals layer onto the body, surfaces, and pets. Some of the cancer-causing compounds settle on the floor in a layer of house dust. Others settle on walls in as an oily substance that’s hard to remove. Since children and dogs spend so much time on the floor, they will collect those compounds on their bodies and make contact with their mouths, eyes, and ears. Even if someone goes outside to smoke, they will still bring thirdhand smoke back inside with them, which will settle into seats, floors, and walls. As their pets lick or rub up against them, those compounds will still be transferred to their coats and bodies.

What Does Smoking Do to Pets?

For dogs, the FDA states that smoking affects their airways and lungs similarly to humans. Their thick coats, time spent on the floor, and tendency to groom themselves increases their exposure to harmful smoke compounds. For instance, for dog breeds with longer noses, smoke particles spend more time in their sinuses and accumulate. As a result, long-nosed dog breeds, such as Greyhounds or Borzios, are at double the risk of nose cancer if they’re exposed to tobacco smoke. In breeds with short or medium noses, fewer smoke particles are stopped within the sinuses, and more make their way down into the lungs. As a result, short-nosed dog breeds, like Bulldogs and Beagles, more commonly get lung cancer. 

Cats are also affected by secondhand and thirdhand smoke. The FDA points to research that found cats in smoking households were two to four times more likely to suffer from a mouth cancer known as oral squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer is often developed when thirdhand smoke particles collect under the tongue. Because cats are such dedicated groomers, it’s little wonder how those particles get into their mouths.

Of course, the harmful effects of tobacco smoke and smoke particles aren't limited to pets. The people who are smoking the cigarettes that let out these compounds are getting direct and massive doses of these harmful chemicals. And other pets, like fish, birds, and reptiles, can also experience life-threatening effects as a result. 

Help Your Pets, Help Yourself

Pets are remarkable at keeping us healthy — they get us off the couch to go on regular walks, give us plenty of love when we need it most, and might even encourage us to watch how we eat as we manage their diet to keep them healthy and think about our own. Let your pets' health motivate you to stop smoking too! As a certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, I’d be happy to help you and your pet make tomorrow just a bit better than today. Contact me now with any questions you have. I can’t wait to help you along your journey.