Protect your pets from air pollution

We’ve all read dozens of articles on how to keep your pets safe in the summer heat but have you though about how to protect your pets from poor air quality?

Heat intensifies air pollution and causes coughing and wheezing. Cats and dogs lungs are more sensitive than humans and thus are more likely to be affected by poor air quality and have difficult breathing. For more information on respiratory problems see our articles on breathing difficulties in cats and dogs.

The 2008 State of the Air report found that more than 25% of the people in the US live in an area with unhealthy short-term levels of particle pollution.  That also means that over a quarter of all pets in the US are living in areas with high level of particle pollution! See below for the Top 10 most polluted cities in the US.

What can you do to protect your pets from air pollution?

• Keep your cat and dog indoors
• Invest in an indoor air filter
• Avoid strenuous cardiovascular exercise with your dog on especially hot days
• If possible, avoid visiting the cities below during the summer months

Top 10 most polluted US cities
(By short-term particle pollution)
1) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2) Los Angeles, California
3) Fresno/Madera, California
4) Bakersfield, California
5) Birmingham, Alabama
6) Logan, Utah
7) Salt Lake City, Utah
8) Sacramento, California
9) Detroit, Michigan
10) Baltimore, Maryland / Washington, D.C.