How vapes can harm cats and dogs

By Isobel Williams

Vets are urging pet owners to stop using vapes in the home - because it's making their four-legged friends ill.

Health conditions that can develop as a result include vomiting, excessive drooling, skin conditions, allergies, eye issues, heart disease, respiratory issues and cancer, according to experts.

Cats are particularly prone to asthma and could be poisoning themselves by licking the vapor off their fur, while dogs are susceptible to bronchitis.

Other animals that are particularly at risk are birds and small animals such as rabbits.

PDSA veterinary surgeon Catherine Burke, 36, said to keep an eye out for coughing, wheezing, and any changes in your pets breathing, contacting a vet if you see any symptoms.

She said: “We have always warned about the effects of secondhand smoke on pets.

“On humans it has been linked to breathing problems and certain types of cancer including lung, nose, and mouth cancers. That is the nicotine which is highly toxic to animals.

“Then we have the vapor itself which can include chemicals and these may irritate the delicate airways of pets, particularly in cats which can be prone to asthma-like conditions.

“If someone is vaping in the house alongside their cat there is a potential risk there. It can cause breathing problems and there is some data to suggest that it could cause cancer.

“We also have the risk of the pet actually chewing or swallowing parts of the actual e-cigarette or vape. That could include the vaping liquid or even the battery itself.”

The surgeon says that pet owners should avoid vaping near their pet if possible, ventilating their homes, and making sure to keep their vape out of reach.

Catherine added: “Avoid vaping where your pet is, and make sure to ventilate the room thoroughly before letting your pet in.

“If possible, use vapes outdoors making your home as smoke and vapor free as possible.

“Don’t keep your vape or e-cigarette in the same room as your pet or where they can get to it, and don’t put your cartridges in the bin where dogs can go rummaging. It is just not worth the risk.”

A study, published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, reviewed more than 300 cases of dogs exposed to e-liquids and vape devices between 2011 and 2024.

The data found that while many pets developed mild symptoms, some suffered severe poisoning, with at least one fatal case reported.

Dr. Katharine Nelson, director of general practice at the Royal Veterinary College’s Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, says that some pets have even eaten batteries.

She said: “At the Royal Veterinary College’s Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital in Camden, our vets commonly see pets with breathing difficulties.

“Conditions such as asthma in cats and bronchitis in dogs are often triggered or worsened by irritants in the air, and pet birds are especially sensitive to poor air quality.

“Vapes can also be harmful if chewed or eaten by pets. Liquid ingredients, such as nicotine or propylene glycol, can be directly toxic, but the team have also seen dogs that have eaten vape casings and batteries, which can cause internal damage.

“Cats are particularly vulnerable to ingesting vape liquid droplets when they groom themselves, as vape droplets will accumulate on their fur.

“The best way to keep pets safe is to smoke or vape outside the home; to keep pets out of rooms used for cooking, smoking and vaping; and to ventilate homes well after these activities. Vapes and their accessories should be stored well away from inquisitive pets.”