Scientists Find Pets at Risk of Cancer Due to Second Hand Smoking

A new research suggests Pets irrespective of what species they belong to are at higher risk of Second-hand smoking or what is known as Passive smoking. The University of Glasgow proposed a research according to which the findings are given below.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow conducted a research linking the family pets living in a smoking environment. The research suggests that Cats are at catastrophically higher risk from passive smoking as they are more inbound and self-grooming whereas castrated dogs suffer from weight gain compared to those who live in a smoke-free environment, Telegraph reported.

Professor of Small Animal Medicine and Oncology - "Clare Knottenbelt" said that their findings reveal the direct impact of smoke on pet dogs and cats. The risk is imminent is pets tend to spend most of their time hovering across in the home and they are the one who stays closer to carpets that have carcinogenic particles which penetrate into the body through their fur that affects the health. The researcher's findings further escalate the risk of second-hand smoking that the pets encounter which can cause a higher risk of certain type of cancer, weight gain after castration, and cell damage.

A research made by Colorado State University and Tufts University's School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts states that Second-Hand smoking or Passive smoking can lead to Malignant Lymphoma in Cats and Nasal and Lung cancers in Dogs. Sources reveal that around 58 Million adults and children are vulnerable to tobacco smoking which is a great number and if considered about pets then the count will shoot up exponentially, as reported by University Herald.

A study of the impact of smoke on pets dogs in the research revealed a breakthrough in the study. Dogs who have undergone castration and live in a smoking environment are vulnerable. The study found out that gene which acts as a marker of cell damage develops thereby escalating the cell damage in dogs. Further, The Dogs who underwent castration were found to have gained weight than those who are living in a non-smoking home. 

The research suggests that cats are more vulnerable where Malignant Lymphoma is the major reason they die. The experiment where the owner smoked outside the home while pets are inside proved to be at significantly lower  risk . Although it doesn't eliminate the risk, it does lower it. Further, when the number of tobacco products reduces, the risk subsides accordingly, however, it stays at the level higher than cats living in a non-smoking home. 

The complete research findings were published on Telegraph and University Herald. In case, if someone notice change in the behavior of their pets animals and anything suspicious, consult a Veterinarian.