The Ugly Truth About Feline Lymphoma And Secondhand Smoke

Let's face it, most of us are aware of the health risks for people who are continually exposed to a smoker, but did you know that it's dangerous for cats too?

Kitties who live in households where somebody smokes have a much higher risk of developing cancer in cats, including feline lymphoma. Read on to learn more about the dangers of secondhand smoke for our pets.

Smoking And Your Cat's Health

Cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals, including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene, chromium, nickel, vinyl chloride and arsenic. Since cats are a lot smaller than people, it only stands to reason that it would take much less exposure to these chemicals to cause health problems for them.

We tend to forget that since our pets live with us, they're exposed to the same environmental toxins we expose ourselves to. Inside cats often fare worse because they don't get to leave the house during the day like their owners do. Felines are doubly exposed to carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Not only do they inhale the smoke, but they lick the particulates from the smoke off their fur as they groom themselves.

Some people think that if they smoke by an exhaust fan in the kitchen, it will pull all the smoke out of the house. This isn't true. Many carcinogens found in cigarette smoke are in the form of gas, which can't be completely removed by ventilation fans. It can take hours to clear the house of the smoke from one cigarette. In the meantime, your kitty is exposed to everything in the smoke.

Feline cancer isn't the only risk your kitty faces from tobacco smoke. Your cat may be more susceptible to bronchitis, sinus infections, pneumonia, heart failure, lung cancer, feline asthma and eye irritation.

Studies Document Dangers Of Secondhand Smoke For Cats

A study at Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine indicates that kitties exposed to cigarette smoke have a significantly higher risk for feline lymphoma than do cats in non-smoking homes.

80 felines who were suffering from lymphoma in cats, and 100 who had kidney failure were followed over seven years:

• It was found that cats exposed to tobacco smoke had more than twice the risk of developing lymphoma in cats than did cats in non-smoking households.
• The risk of tumors in cats increased to three times higher if the kitty lived in a home with a smoker for five years.
• If a person smoked a pack a day or more of cigarettes, the risk of cancer in cats increased three times.
• If two or more smokers were present, the risk was four times higher.

Now newer studies have shown that oral cancer, in the form of feline oral squamous cell carcinoma, is much more common in cats living in homes with smokers. This is probably because they lick particulates from smoke off their fur, as mentioned above.

How You Can Lessen Your Kitty's Risk

The best thing you can do for both yourself and your feline friend is to stop smoking. If you can't stop, then go outside to smoke. You can also set aside smoke-free rooms in your home for your pets. Brush your kitty regularly to remove any residue from her fur.  

An air purifier may help to remove some of the toxins from the air your kitty breathes. You may want to give her vitamin C and antioxidants to reduce her cancer risks.  

Don't let your kitty become a victim of feline cancer. Take steps now to protect her from the dangers of secondhand smoke.