July 24, 2025 – As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense around the globe, more animals – including our household pets – are exposed to dangerous pollutants in the air. While human health impacts often dominate the headlines, it’s easy to forget that animals also suffer consequences from smoke exposure.
Wildfire Smoke and Pets: What We Know So Far
More dogs than ever before are breathing in harmful particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Unfortunately, there’s little to no comprehensive data on how wildfire smoke impacts dog health outcomes over time.
That’s why a new study, using data from the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, aims to explore the long-term effects of wildfire smoke on dog longevity.
What’s in Wildfire Smoke?
Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, VOCs and particulate matter (PM). The smallest of these particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.
These pollutants come not just from burning vegetation but also from homes, cars, and industrial materials consumed by flames. When inhaled, these particles can irritate the respiratory tract, trigger inflammation, and worsen existing health problems.
While smoke inhalation’s immediate effect on animals is better understood, research is still catching up on its long-term consequences, particularly in pets like dogs and cats.
Foundation-Funded Research Explores the Dangers of Wildfire Smoke Exposure
Two studies underway at Colorado State University are diving into this issue.
- Wildfire Smoke and Horses: Dr. Danielle Scott is examining how air quality impacts horse health. Horses spend a lot of time outside, especially athletic animals on a training schedule. Dr. Scott wondered how air quality affects these horses. To answer this and other questions, Dr. Scott turned to a treasure trove of data kept on racehorses. She knew there were detailed records about their movement (which could be cross-referenced with air quality data), the outcomes of their races, and their race times. By comparing outcomes with the time these athletes spend in “clean” versus “dirty” air, she hopes to learn how these conditions impact the horses, which in turn could provide her with insights into how other animals are affected by these conditions as well.
- Wildfire Smoke and Dogs: A second study will leverage the extensive body of data collected as part of the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study to investigate whether exposure to wildfire smoke affects longevity and compare mortality data on dogs in the cohort with known data on regional wildfire smoke. Dr. Sheryl Magzamen, the study’s lead investigator, hopes that the findings will lead to new state and federal recommendations for animals and become part of the veterinary school curriculum. “Our beloved dogs share our world, including exposure to air pollution and wildfire smoke,” said Dr. Magzamen. “Sadly, they have a shorter lifespan than we do, but that is also an opportunity to look at the effects of this exposure. Our work could help inform recommendations for dog owners, and maybe even have farther-reaching impact on other pets, livestock, and even wildlife.” Watch a brief video about this study.
The Bigger Picture: Animal Health and Wildfire Air Quality
As research continues, we may see updated guidelines to better protect animals, especially those outdoors or with preexisting conditions, during wildfire events.
For now, staying informed and minimizing outdoor activity during poor air quality days is the best way to safeguard your pets.
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