Pampering our fur babies matters. Devoted owners would do anything to ensure their ‘best friend’ is content, and more importantly, healthy. However, there is one aspect that many pet owners overlook – the air quality inside their home. According to the World Health Organization, 4.3 million people die from indoor air pollution per year. Granted, many of these people live in developing countries where the practice of cooking over open fires, for example, is common, but even in the US indoor, air pollution has become a significant problem. Let’s take a look at indoor air pollution and how it can affect you and your furry friends.
Indoor Air Pollution: Causes and Impact
Indoor air pollution can impact your health significantly. Short term effects include irritated eyes and sinuses and similar symptoms to allergies or the common cold. If you live or work in an environment with low air quality long term however, the results can be more serious including chronic and dangerous conditions. Although the main causes of indoor air pollution are smoke (including tobacco), household products and poor ventilation, unfortunately pets can cause indoor air pollution as well. This is mostly due to pet dander. Dander is similar to humans but for pets and millions of animal owners are allergic to it without even realizing. To limit the harm, ensure your home is adequately ventilated and cleaned regularly and keep pets away from beds and soft furnishings.
The Effects of Indoor Air Pollution On Pets’ Health
A dog’s sense of smell is 40 times as good as a human’s. If indoor air pollution can harm our noses, just think of what it can do to a nose that much more sensitive than ours! Indeed, indoor air pollution negatively affects pets’ health. Cats that are exposed to cigarette smoke have weaker lungs, for example. Some studies have shown that certain kinds of cleaning products we use at home can cause lung and nasal cancer in dogs. As well as the steps above, to protect your pet try to use gentler, natural cleaning products as well as vacuuming and changing air filters regularly. Check for damp and consider buying a plant to improve air quality.
Pets can be the cause of indoor air pollution but they are victims of it too. As we spend more time indoors, indoor air pollution is becoming a bigger problem for both us and our furry friends, but luckily there are things we can do that help.