During this wildfire season we all have been affected by hazardous air quality. The American Veterinary Medical Association has provided some guidelines for you to help you protect your pets and livestock from smoke during wildfire season.
Tips to protect pets
Keep pets indoors as much as possible, and keep your windows shut.
Birds are particularly susceptible and should not be allowed outside when smoke or particulate matter are present.
If air quality alerts are in effect, let dogs and cats outside only for brief bathroom breaks.
Avoid intense outdoor exercise during periods of poor air quality. Exercise pets when dust and smoke has settled.
Tips to protect livestock
Limit exercise when smoke is visible. Especially don’t require animals to perform activities that substantively increase airflow into and out of the lungs.
Provide plenty of fresh water near feeding areas.
Limit dust exposure by feeding low-dust or dust-free feeds and sprinkling or misting the livestock holding area.
Plan to give livestock 4 to 6 weeks to recuperate after the air quality returns to normal. Attempting to handle, move, or transport livestock may delay healing and compromise your animals’ performance.