If you’re a smoker, you may have set yourself the ambitious New Year’s Resolution of finally kicking the habit.
And now a new study will give you further motivation to ditch the cigarettes.
Researchers from Purdue University have warned that dogs in fume-filled homes are up to six times more likely to develop cancer.
‘If [pet owners] can reduce the exposure of their dogs to smoke, that can help the dogs’ health,’ said Professor Deborah Knapp, lead author of the study.
‘We hope they stop smoking altogether, both for their health and so they will continue to be around for their dogs, but any steps to keep smoke from the dogs will help.’
Researchers from Purdue University have warned that dogs in fume-filled homes are up to six times more likely to develop cancer (stock image)
Previous studies have shown that smoking causes at least 15 different types of cancer in humans.
However, until now, the effect of second-hand smoke on animals has been largely understudied.
In their new study, the team set out to investigate whether cigarette smoke also increases the risk of cancer in dogs.
The researchers enlisted 120 Scottish Terriers – a breed known to develop bladder cancer at a rate 20 times higher than other breeds.
‘We know that Scotties’ genetics play a huge role in making them vulnerable to cancer,’ Professor Knapp said.
‘If we were to do this study with mixed breeds of dogs, it would take hundreds and hundreds of dogs to uncover this same risk, which is probably there, just more difficult to discern because those dogs are not already inclined genetically to get bladder cancer.’
The dogs were followed over a three-year period, during which time their health, environment, food, activity, and locations were monitored.
An analysis of the results revealed that dogs exposed to cigarette smoke were six times more likely to develop bladder cancer than those that were not.
When a dog is exposed to second-hand smoke, their body takes up the chemicals and eliminates them through the urine, which can lead to cancer in the urinary tract (stock image)
When a dog is exposed to second-hand smoke, their body takes up the chemicals and eliminates them through the urine, which can lead to cancer in the urinary tract.
And this isn’t just by breathing – the dogs can also take up these chemicals by licking clothes satured wih the scent.
‘If someone goes out to a smoky concert or party, then comes home and their dog hops up on their lap to snuggle with them, the dog can be exposed to the particulate material in smoke through the person’s clothing,’ Professor Knapp said.
The researchers emphasise that the results are not black and white.
Just like humans, not all dogs who were around second-hand smoke got cancer, while some who were not around any smoke still got cancer.
However, they hope the findings will encourage smokers to either quite smoking, or smoke away from the dog and change their clothese before snuggling their dog.
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
