Vapes are growing in popularity, attracting former smokers to a more discreet and less antisocial way of consuming nicotine and young people to a variety of flavors. Like secondhand smoke from traditional cigarettes, there are concerns surrounding second hand vapor from vapes.

While you shouldnever vape around a baby, do the same rules apply to vaping around a fur baby? Here, we look at considerations you should make before you vape around your pet. 

Understanding Vaping and Its Components

Vapes require users to inhale and exhale vapor rather than smoke from traditional combustible cigarettes. Vaping devices heat a vaping liquid (or e-juice) with a heating element known as a coil to a specific temperature when it turns liquid into vapor.

The main ingredients in vape liquid are propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG), which act as the base liquid or carrier for the nicotine and flavors. 

Potential Risks of Vaping for Pets

Vaping poses a risk to your pet’s health. Here are the main reasons why it is best to vape outside or dedicate a well-ventilated room in your house for vaping that other people don’t commonly use. 

Nicotine Exposure

Household pets like cats and dogs are (usually) much smaller than humans, which means exposure to nicotine can be more harmful to them than to us.

Pets who inhale nicotine vapor may suffer from respiratory irritation in the short term and have an increased risk of respiratory disease in the long term. Nicotine poisoning is also a risk. The common symptoms of nicotine poisoning are:

• Drooling

• Vomiting

• Tremors

• Increased heart rate

If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet after vaping around them, it’s essential to visit a veterinarian immediately. 

Secondhand Vapor

Vaping leaves secondhand vapor in the air. It’s less noticeable than secondhand smoke because it doesn’t linger in the same way, but just because you can’t see or smell it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Vaping inside your home can lead to particulate matter (PM) build-up.

According to a2023 study, “E-cigarette vaping causes oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and associated cardiovascular sequelae,” which may also be true for pets who inhale secondhand vapor.

While there are no studies on the impact of secondhand vapor on pets, it is clear secondhand vapor can harm other humans, so it could also be a risk for pets. 

Chemical Inhalation

Vape juice or e-liquid doesn’t just contain nicotine that could poison animals, but other ingredients that may be dangerous, too. Propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) are both used in e-liquid as carrier agents. When these chemicals are heated to high enough temperatures, they can become toxic byproducts like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein.

Due to pets being smaller than humans, they metabolize things much more quickly, which means they are more sensitive to these toxic byproducts. Long-term exposure to these chemicals can lead to respiratory issues and neurological problems. 

Physical Risks (e.g., E-liquid spills)

Sometimes, we can’t act quickly enough to stop our pets from licking up spillages. E-liquid spills can be detrimental to their health and even deadly in the worst cases. When handling e-liquid, make sure you store it somewhere securely and away from your pet after refilling your vape. 

Signs Your Pet Might Be Affected by Vaping

Pets aren’t the best at indicating when they have medical issues. However, you can look out for these telltale signs if you suspect your pet is affected by vaping: 

• Coughing or sneezing

• Panting

• Throat clearing

• Confusion

• Red eyes

• Vomiting or drooling

• Weakness

• Seizures
  
  

It’s essential to take your pet to the veterinarian if you notice any of these symptoms. 

Expert Opinions and Research

Have you ever had a pet that has chewed on something they shouldn't? One of the main issues around e-cigarettes is pets chewing on e-liquid carts, which releases a large amount of nicotine into your pet's digestive system at once, which can cause severe nicotine poisoning and, in the worst cases, death. 

VCA Animal Hospitals states that "In addition to the risk from the e-liquid, swallowing the e-cigarette casing or battery is dangerous, too. The casing and battery are not digestible and can cause gastrointestinal injury or blockage. The rechargeable battery can burn the esophagus if pets swallow it."

ThePDSA asked vets if vaping was safe around pets, and they concluded that "As nicotine is very toxic to our pets, it's important to keep them well away from it. We would always advise not smoking cigarettes of any kind, including e-cigarettes, around your pets." 

There are no official studies as of yet on whether or not vaping causes harm to animals. However, most veterinarians agree that secondhand vapor harms pets, especially if it is consistent, based upon anecdotal findings from pets that have visited them from homes with vapes.

In addition to secondhand vapor, "thirdhand" exposure when vapor particles remain in the environment after use could also be an issue.

According to a 2023 study into the effects of "thirdhand" vapor on mice, vapor particles "negatively affect the lung health of mice and highlight the need for greater public awareness surrounding the dangers of "thirdhand" exposure to e-cigarette vapor."

The chances of being affected by "third hand" vapor are increased in pets as nicotine and other chemicals may stick to their fur, and they are likely to lick themselves. 

What Pet Owners Can Do to Protect Their Pets

While it’s not the most convenient option, the best way to avoid your pet inhaling unwanted vapor is always to vape in well-ventilated areas or outdoors. If you live in a colder climate and want to continue vaping inside, create a designated vaping room that is well-ventilated and your pet doesn’t frequent it much.

As one of the most significant risks for pets is ingesting vape liquid from a cart by chewing on it or after a spillage, always keep your carts and e-liquid refills in a safe and secure place your pet can’t get to, like a sealed box containing all your vaping supplies. 

Conclusion 

Household pets like cats and dogs are (usually) much smaller than humans, which means exposure to nicotine can be more harmful to them than to us. Whether it is second or third-hand vapor, licking up a spillage, or chewing on a vape cart, there are many ways that vapes pose a potential health risk for pets that can range from respiratory issues to death in the most serious cases of nicotine poisoning.

While there are no direct studies relating to vaping around pets, it’s essential to stay informed as more research comes to light and always to consider your pets’ health when vaping.