Handling Bush Fire Smoke and Your Dogs

The Australian bush fires have been devastating and this crisis continues as fires are still ablaze around our country. Hazardous thick smoke has blanketed many areas of Australia and this can have disastrous effects on us as well as our pets.

​Older pets, young pets and any pet with a cardiovascular, respiratory condition or other medical issues are at high risk from smoke inhalation from the pollution in the air. It can affect their airways and breathing ability and may cause many health complications from the toxic haze that pollutes the air. The healthiest of dogs too may suffer badly from the smoke irritation.
 
Pets should be monitored closely and if your dog is a brachycephalic breed such as pugs or bulldogs, they should be closely watched as they will be more compromised with restricted airways.

Signs of Smoke Irritation are:

• Difficult or laboured breathing
• Coughing
• Eye Irritation
• Weakness or fatigue
• Nasal discharge
• Disorientation
• Loss of appetite

How to Protect your Pet from Smoke:

• Keep your pets indoors as much as possible
• Keep windows and doors closed
• Avoid vigorous exercising outdoors in poor air quality conditions
• Turn your air conditioner to recirculate mode
• Put on an air purifier
• Diffuse appropriate essential oils to cleanse the air
• Keep toileting to a minimal
• Put enrichment toys or treats inside to keep your pet amused
• Always have an evacuation plan in place should you need to go if you are in the fire zone.

Along with the bush fires and smoke comes heat and we have to also be mindful on heat stroke with our dogs.
 
Remember to keep your dog out of the heat and smoke and keep them cool.
Here are a few ways how:

• Always have fresh, cold water available at all times as dogs can dehydrate quickly
• Ensure your pet has shade at all times or bring them inside into a cool room
• Wipe your dog down with a cool, damp towel or leave wet towels out for them to lie on
• Wet your dog with cool water several times throughout the day
• Consider buying a shell pool for your dog
• Place ice blocks in your pet's water bowl
• Consider having your dog clipped if their coat is long and thick
• Never leave your pets in a vehicle on a hot day

You can read all about heat stress and preparing for bush fires with your pets in these past blogs:
AVOID Heat Stress In Dogs
​Bush Fires and Your Pets

Due to the smoke and heat we are not able to exercise our dogs like we would normally. Why not bring your dog in for a fun swim to cool off and burn off some of the excess energy they have built up from being indoors a lot of the time. Our pool is indoors and is at a lovely temperature for hot months.
To book call us on 1300 787 064