There are many reasons to quit smoking, and for pet guardians there is now one more: scientific evidence tells us that secondhand cigarette smoke causes cancer in our pets. Two studies were recently conducted at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the first to make us aware of the effects of secondhand smoke on animals. It found that a dog exposed to a smoker in the home is 1.6 times more likely to develop lung cancer than a dog who is not. And since dogs age almost seven times faster than people, secondhand smoke can cause problems quickly.

Researchers also found that skull shape had an effect on the risk of cancer in dogs. Nasal cancer is twice as likely in dogs with long noses, such as Collies, Greyhounds and German Shepherds, because there is simply more tissue and cells exposed to carcinogens as the smoke travels through their noses.

Dogs with shorter noses such as pugs or bulldogs are unfortunately not risk-free: they have a higher risk of lung cancer. Ironically, this may be because a short nose is less effective at filtering carcinogens before they reach the lungs. So ultimately, all dog breeds are at risk, regardless of the length of their nose.

In another study, vets from Tufts University discovered a connection between secondhand smoke and a common type of cancer in the mouth of cats, called squamous cell carcinoma. Cats exposed to secondhand smoke for more than five years and cats living with more than one smoker were even more likely to be affected by this cancer. What causes cats to develop mouth cancer from secondhand smoke? When cats groom themselves they ingest the smoke carcinogens that have landed on their coats. This study also found that cats whose guardians smoked were three times as likely to develop lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes), the most common feline cancer. Whether cats ingest or inhale carcinogens, they end up in their blood stream, which is filtered by lymph nodes. Both studies concluded that there is a way to prevent these types of cancers from affecting your beloved cat or dog - do not smoke around your pets.

Another consequence of having cigarettes around pets, especially curious puppies and kittens is that they can sometimes eat part or all of a cigarette pack, causing nicotine poisoning which is a life-threatening condition. Cigarettes and all other tobacco products (including cigarette butts) should be stored or disposed of in a secure place.

More pet-specific information on the effects of second hand smoke can be found at www.smokefreesociety.org/NewsClip/Pets-1.html

With information provided by Dr. Phil Zeltzman