What Air Quality is Bad for Dogs

Today and throughout the weekend, there are air quality alerts across my home state of Michigan. The air quality is very poor due to wildfires in Canada. The smoke is so dense that it looks like fog over the lake across the street from my home.

Poor air quality not only affects those with vulnerable bronchioles or breathing issues such as asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or heart disease, but it also affects our furry family members – especially dogs.

Any Air Quality Index (AQI) reading above 100 is considered unhealthy for dogs.

Thankfully, I could work from home this week. Even though our dog daycare facility provides a safe, supportive, and engaging environment that is entirely supervised by professional trainers, I imagine the dogs still would have to stay inside for most of the day.

Although for most of the day I keep my dogs indoors because of the poor, smoky air quality, they at least get to run around the house and play with each other. No amount of stink eye or cute begging will get me to change my mind!

Furthermore, we are in the midst of a heat wave with temperatures reaching triple digits, high humidity, and extreme heat warnings, adding to these already crappy weather conditions.

A local veterinarian shared this today, “Urgent Notice – DOGS PETS, Canada Smoke Fire smoke poses a serious health risk to dogs, as the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and toxic gases can severely irritate their respiratory systems and lead to life-threatening smoke inhalation.

Dogs are particularly vulnerable because their airways are sensitive and they spend much of their time close to the ground where toxins settle.

High-Risk Dogs: While all dogs are at risk, extra caution should be taken for: Brachycephalic breeds: Short-muzzled dogs like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers struggle more with breathing.
Age groups: Puppies and senior dogs have less resilient respiratory and immune systems. Pre-existing conditions: Dogs with asthma, bronchitis, or heart and lung disease face greater dangers.
Signs of Smoke Inhalation: If your dog has been exposed to smoke (whether from a wildfire or a household fire), you should monitor them for the following symptoms:
Respiratory distress: Coughing, gagging, wheezing, or unusually rapid breathing.
Eye and throat irritation: Red, watery eyes, pawing at the face, or inflammation of the mouth.
Neurological symptoms: Weakness, lethargy, or disorientation.
Gum color: Bright red or cherry-colored gums, which can indicate carbon monoxide poisoning.

How to Protect Your Dog

Stay indoors: Keep your windows and doors closed to block outdoor smoke. Limit your dog’s outdoor time to brief bathroom breaks only.

Use air purifiers: Consider running an indoor air purifier with a HEPA filter to remove smoke particles and toxic gases from your home.

Avoid indoor irritants: Do not vacuum, burn candles, or use fireplaces, as these activities add more particulate matter to the air.

Wipe them down: If your dog must go outside, wipe their fur and paws with a damp cloth when they come back in to remove lingering ash.

Check local air quality: Stay updated on current conditions by checking AirNow to know when it is safe for brief outdoor activity.

When to See a Vet: Smoke inhalation is a veterinary emergency, as lung inflammation and oxygen deprivation can develop or worsen hours after the initial exposure. If your dog shows persistent coughing, labored breathing, or severe lethargy, contact your primary veterinarian or a local emergency animal hospital immediately,”.

*Note: All content within this article is meant for informational purposes only and is in no way a replacement for professional medical or psychological advice or support. Seek immediate and appropriate care from a healthcare veterinarian professional should you or a trusted loved one deem it necessary for your animal.

Can dogs be outside in bad air quality?

Since we have already established that it is not a good idea for dogs to be outside in this current state of bad air quality, except for brief potty breaks, let’s see what the experts have to add.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “As irritating as smoke can be to people, it can cause health problems for animals as well. Smoke from wildfires and other large blazes affects pets, horses, livestock and wildlife. If you can see or feel the effects of smoke yourself, you also should take precautions to keep your animals – both pets and livestock – safe.

Animals with cardiovascular or respiratory disease are especially at risk from smoke and should be closely watched during all periods of poor air quality.

Tips to protect pets

Keep pets indoors as much as possible, and keep your windows shut.
Birds are particularly susceptible and should not be allowed outside when smoke or particulate matter are present.
Let dogs and cats outside only for brief bathroom breaks if air quality alerts are in effect.
Avoid intense outdoor exercise during periods of poor air quality. Exercise pets when dust and smoke has settled.
Have a pet evacuation kit ready, and include your animals in your disaster preparedness planning,”.

At what AQI should you stay inside?

If our pets should remain indoors, so should we when the air quality index (AQI) is at a dangerous, “very unhealthy” level, as the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has advised.

Currently, Michigan is at AQI levels 200-300, and everyone is advised to stay indoors and refrain from physical exertion. Basically, we are at the worst level there is! Based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, and reported by AirNow, here are the AQI levels and what to do:

“0–50 (Good): Air quality is ideal; you are safe to spend as much time outdoors as you’d like.
51–100 (Moderate):Safe for most, but unusually sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
101–150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups): People with asthma, heart/lung conditions, the elderly, and pregnant individuals should stay indoors. Everyone else should limit heavy or prolonged outdoor activities.
151–200 (Unhealthy): Everyone should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion and stay indoors if possible.
201–300 (Very Unhealthy) & 301+ (Hazardous): Everyone should remain indoors and keep all physical activity very low,”.

In conclusion, when air quality drops, keep dogs indoors, watch for symptoms, and trust your vet’s guidance to keep them safe and comfortable.