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Dogs & Cats of Smokers More Likely to Get Cancer

By Clinician's Brief November 18, 2009

AVMA Press Release: The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is letting smokers know there is another good reason to take part in the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 19—the health of their pets.

“We’re all aware of the scientific research that shows that people who smoke are more likely to get certain types of cancer and other diseases, but a lot of people don’t know that the same goes for the pets of smokers,” said Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer in a video encouraging pet owners to kick the habit.

Lung cancer and nasal cancer are particularly threatening to dogs while cats that live with smokers are twice as likely to develop malignant lymphoma—fatal to three out of four cats within a year—and are more likely to get mouth cancer.

Dr. John Reif, professor at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, says that dogs with short noses have double the risk of lung cancer and long-nosed dogs such as collies have two and half times greater risk of nasal cancer from secondhand smoke.

“Smoking is a very dangerous exposure for many human diseases—cancer, cardiovascular disease and others—and anything we can do to encourage people to stop smoking would be helpful.” Dr. Reif said in a podcast encouraging pet owners to kick the habit.

“I’m hoping that by publicizing this information that more people will get involved in the Great American Smokeout this year, and the love of their pets will inspire them to finally kick the habit,” Dr. DeHaven said.

For more information, visit www.avma.org or the AVMA Media Library at www.avmamedia.org for this podcast—Kick the Habit, for You and Your Pets—and video—The Great American Smokeout—along with dozens of other podcasts, videos and audio news releases and public service announcements. The video is also posted on the AVMA’s public video site, AVMA-TV, at www.avmatv.org.

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Basic Rules for Cats Who Have a House to Run!

1. Chairs and Rugs: If you have to throw up, get into a chair quickly. If you cannot manage in time, get to an Oriental rug. If no Oriental rug, shag is good!

2. Doors: Do not allow closed doors in any room. To get door opened, stand on hind legs and hammer with forepaws. Once door is opened, it is not necessary to use it.

3. Guests: Quickly determine which guest hates cats the most. Sit on that lap. If you can arrange to have fish-flavored food on your breath, so much the better.

For sitting on laps or rubbing against trouser legs, select fabric color which contrasts well with your fur. For example, white furred cats go to black wool clothing.

For guest who claims, “I love kitties,” be ready with aloof disdain. Apply claws to stockings or use a quick nip on the ankle.

When walking among dishes on dinner table, be prepared to look surprised and hurt when scolded. The idea is to convey, “But you allow me on the table when company is not here.”

Always accompany guests to the bathroom. It is not necessary to do anything, just sit and stare.

4. Work: If one of your humans is sewing or writing and another is idle, stay with the busy one. This is called helping, otherwise known as hampering.

For example, when supervising cooking, sit just behind left heel of cook. You cannot be seen and thereby stand a better chance of being stepped on, picked up and consoled. For book readers, get in close under the chin, between eyes and book, unless you can lie across the book itself.

5. Play: It is important. Get enough sleep in the daytime so you are fresh for playing mouse or king-of-the-hill on their bed between 2 and 4 a.m.

Begin people-training early. You will then have a smooth running household. Humans need to know basic rules. They can be taught if you start early and are consistent.