DAVIS, Calif. — Veterinary organizations are issuing updated guidance on protecting companion animals from wildfire smoke as air quality emergencies become more frequent and geographically widespread, warning that pets face unique vulnerabilities that standard public health advisories do not address.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke penetrates deep into lung tissue and can cause acute respiratory distress in animals. Birds are particularly sensitive — their efficient respiratory systems, evolved for high-altitude flight, make them among the first to show symptoms when air quality deteriorates. Veterinarians recommend moving birds and small mammals indoors immediately when AQI exceeds 100.
Dogs and cats with pre-existing respiratory conditions, brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs such as bulldogs and pugs), and senior animals face elevated risk during smoke events. The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine recommends limiting outdoor exercise to early morning hours when smoke concentrations are typically lowest, and using HEPA air purifiers in rooms where pets spend the most time.
Restoration contractors working in wildfire-affected areas should be aware that returning pets to smoke-damaged structures before thorough cleaning and air quality testing can cause or worsen respiratory illness. Soot and ash residue on surfaces continues to off-gas toxic compounds for weeks after a fire is extinguished.
The American Veterinary Medical Association has published a wildfire preparedness checklist for pet owners that includes guidance on evacuation planning, medication supplies, and identifying pet-friendly emergency shelters — resources that restoration professionals can share with clients as part of post-fire recovery planning.
