Pets share the household air
Dogs, cats, birds, and other animals can be affected by wildfire smoke. Risk depends on pollution level, time, activity, species, age, and existing health. Animals cannot tell you that their throat burns or chest feels tight, so observe behavior and breathing.
Keep pets in cleaner air
Bring pets indoors, close windows and doors, and use filtration. Include pets in the clean-air room when practical. Make sure the room has water, safe temperature, bedding, litter or waste supplies, and secure access.
Limit outdoor exertion
Use short bathroom breaks for dogs and postpone walks, running, and play when AQI is poor. Keep cats indoors. Outdoor animals should be moved to cleaner shelter if it can be done safely and without delaying evacuation.
Animals that may need extra care
Older animals, young animals, birds, flat-faced breeds, and pets with heart or respiratory disease may be more sensitive. Ask the veterinarian in advance what symptoms to watch for and how to manage prescribed medication.
Warning signs
- Coughing, gagging, or repeated swallowing
- Noisy, fast, or difficult breathing
- Panting at rest or open-mouth breathing in cats
- Red, watery, or irritated eyes
- Runny nose
- Weakness, disorientation, or unusual sleepiness
- Reduced appetite or drinking
Contact a veterinarian promptly when symptoms develop. Severe breathing difficulty is an emergency.
Do not use human respirators on pets
N95 respirators are not designed for animal faces. They may not seal, can cause distress, and may interfere with panting or breathing. The safer strategy is cleaner air and shorter outdoor exposure.
Prepare a pet evacuation kit
Store carriers, leashes, harnesses, food, water, bowls, litter, waste bags, medication, vaccine records, identification, recent photographs, and comfort items. Label carriers and keep pets microchipped or tagged.
Identify pet-friendly hotels, shelters, relatives, boarding facilities, and veterinary clinics before fire season. Large-animal plans require transportation, loading practice, and destinations well before evacuation.
After a wildfire
Keep animals away from ash, debris, burned structures, hot spots, damaged fences, and contaminated water. Wipe paws and coats with a damp cloth after necessary outdoor trips and prevent licking of ash. Follow local veterinary and public-health instructions.
Veterinary advice
This guide is general. A veterinarian should advise you about animals with heart, lung, pregnancy, age, or medication concerns.