When it’s smoky, keeping animals outside can be potentially harmful. Wildfires can cover large areas with smoke, creating unsafe air conditions for people and animals alike.
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) measures outdoor air quality for potential health risks stemming from pollution such as wildfire smoke. When the AQHI reaches 7 or above, even healthy people and animals can face health risks from outdoor exposure. Always monitor the AQHI before planning outdoor activities with your animals.
Companion Animals & Smoke
When the AQHI is between 7-10 (High Risk), reduce outdoor time and avoid intensive exercise for your animals. Monitor your pet’s behaviours while outdoors and watch for symptoms such as:
- Coughing or gagging
- Difficulty breathing, including open mouth breathing and increased noise when breathing
- Eye irritation and excessive watering
- Inflammation of throat or mouth
- Increased breathing rate
- Fatigue, disorientation or weakness
- Reduced appetite and/or thirst
If symptoms start to arise, move indoors and monitor your pets closely. If symptoms persist, seek veterinary care. Senior or young pets, or those with preexisting cardiovascular or respiratory illnesses, should avoid the outdoors as much as possible.
If the AQHI reaches 10+ (Very High Risk), keep pets indoors and windows shut. Limit outdoor time to brief bathroom breaks. To keep animals stimulated, provide puzzles or frozen treats.
Livestock & Smoke
The smoke impacts livestock as well. While it is not possible to keep them indoors like companion animals, you can take steps to limit the impact of the smoke on them.
- Limit exercise when smoke is visible.
- Don’t require animals to perform activities that substantively increase airflow into and out of the lungs.
- Provide plenty of fresh water near feeding areas. Limit dust exposure by feeding low-dust or dust-free feeds and sprinkling or misting the livestock holding area.
- Plan to give livestock 4 to 6 weeks to recuperate after the air quality returns to normal. Attempting to handle, move, or transport livestock may delay healing and compromise your animals’ performance.
Monitor the AQHI for updates and plan your outdoor time accordingly to keep your animals safe.