19/08/2026
With the increasing number of wildfires across the country, we wanted to provide some advice for
looking after your pets when your home is affected by smoke and heat from a wildfire.
If your area is affected by smoke and heat from a wildfire:
✅️Keep all pets indoors so far as is possible, and
keep the windows shut
✅️Keep trips outside to allow dogs to go to the toilet brief
✅️After trips outside, clean your pet’s coat using a damp cloth, brush their fur and wipe their
paws to remove smoke particles and ash that could be licked off and be potentially toxic
✅️Birds, small animals and reptiles are particularly susceptible to the impacts of smoke and heat
and should not be allowed outside
✅️If feeding your pet plants and greens from your garden, thoroughly wash and dry them before
feeding to ensure smoke particles are removed
✅️Make sure fresh water is always available
✅️Reduce other sources of indoor air pollution – avoid smoking or va**ng indoors, or burning
candles, as this will further worsen the air quality
✅️Avoid exercising pets outside unless you can drive them into an unaffected area
✅️Have a plan ready in case you need to evacuate your home.
Pets that may be at greater risk of being affected by smoke and heat include old and very young
animals, overweight animals, flat-faced breeds of dog, cat and rabbit, pets with heart or lung
diseases, and pregnant pets.
If your pet is showing signs that they are being affected by smoke or heat, please contact the
practice.
If your pet is struggling to breathe, is collapsed, or their symptoms get worse, contact us
immediately.
