WILDFIRE SMOKE FACTSHEET
Protect Your Pets from Wildfire Smoke

Your pets can be affected by wildfire smoke. If you feel the effects of smoke, they probably do, too!
Smoke can irritate your pet's eyes and respiratory tract. Animals with heart or lung disease and older pets are
especially at risk from smoke and should be closely watched during all periods of poor air quality.
Know the Signs
If your animals have any of these signs, call your
veterinarian:
•	Coughing or gagging
•	Red or watery eyes, nasal discharge,
inflammation of throat or mouth or
reluctance to eat hard foods
•	Trouble breathing, including open-mouth
breathing, more noise when breathing, or
fast breathing
•	Fatigue or weakness, disorientation, uneven
gait, stumbling
•	Reduced appetite or thirst
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Recommended Actions
Even if the fire danger is not imminent, high levels
of smoke may force you to stay indoors for a long
time or even to evacuate. Reduce your pet's
exposure to smoke as you would reduce your own.
Before the fire season:
•	Whether you have a central air conditioning
system or a room unit, buy high efficiency
filters you can use to capture fine particles
from smoke.
•	Think about creating a clean room in your
house with a portable air cleaner.
When smoke is present:
•	Keep pets indoors as much as you can, with
doors and windows closed. Bring outdoor
pets into a room with good ventilation, like
a utility room, garage, or bathroom. Move
potentially dangerous products, such as
pesticides, out of the reach of pets.
Smoke is especially tough on your pet
birds. Keep them inside when smoke is
present.
Keep indoor air clean: do not fry or broil
foods, vacuum, burn candles, use a
fireplace or woodstove, or smoke tobacco
products. These activities add particles to
your home.
Spend less time outdoors and limit physical
activities when it is smoky. For example,
when it's smoky, it's not a good time for
you and your pet to go for a run. Let dogs
and cats outside only for brief bathroom
breaks if air quality alerts are in effect.

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Be ready to evacuate: Include your pets in your
planning. Have each pet permanently identified, for
example with a microchip. Know where they will be
allowed to go if there is an evacuation - not all
emergency shelters accept pets. Know where your
pets might hide when stressed, so you won't have
to spend time looking for them in an emergency.
Get pets used to their carriers and have your family
practice evacuating with your pets. Covering
carriers with a sheet during transport may calm a
nervous pet.
If you must leave your pets behind, never
tie them up.
Evacuation Kit
Prepare a pet Evacuation Kit. Assemble
the kit well before any emergency and
store it in an easy-to-carry, waterproof
container close to an exit.
•	Food, water, and medicine for 7 to 10
days
•	Sanitation and first aid supplies
•	Important documents, such as:
identification papers including proof of
ownership; vaccination records;
medical records and medication
instructions; emergency contact list,
including veterinarian and pharmacy;
and a photo of your pet (preferably
with you)
•	Travel supplies, such as: crate or pet
carrier labeled with your contact
information; extra collar/harness with
ID tags and leash; flashlight, extra
batteries; and muzzle
•	Comfort items, such as favorite toys
and treats, and an extra blanket or
familiar bedding
For more information:
•	Get air quality information: Check your local news, the airnow.gov website, or your state air quality agency's
website.
•	Reduce Your Smoke Exposure fact sheet: https://www3.epa.gov/airnow/smoke fires/reduce-your-smoke-
exposure.pdf
•	Learn more about wildfire smoke: Wildfire Smoke Guide for Public Health Officials: https://airnow.gov/
•	American Veterinary Medical Association. Get more tips and information on caring for pets and livestock
during a wildfire: https://www.avma.org/public/EmergencyCare/Pages/Wildfire-Smoke-and-Animals.aspx
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AVMA
American Veterinary Medical Association
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w U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • EPA-452/F-19-002
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