Pet owners who vape indoors are putting their animals at risk of serious health problems including respiratory issues and cancer, veterinary experts have warned.
A study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice reviewed over 300 cases of dogs exposed to e-liquids and vape devices between 2011 and 2024. While many pets developed mild symptoms, some suffered severe poisoning, with at least one fatal case recorded.
Catherine Burke, a PDSA veterinary surgeon, said: “We have always warned about the effects of secondhand smoke on pets. On humans it has been linked to breathing problems and certain types of cancer including lung, nose, and mouth cancers. That is the nicotine which is highly toxic to animals.”
Multiple Health Risks
According to veterinary professionals, vaping at home can lead to pets experiencing vomiting, excessive drooling, skin conditions, allergies, eye issues, heart disease, respiratory problems and cancer.
Cats are particularly vulnerable, being prone to asthma-like conditions and at risk of poisoning themselves by licking vapour residue off their fur. Dogs are susceptible to bronchitis, while birds and small animals such as rabbits face heightened dangers due to their sensitivity to air quality.
Ms Burke explained: “Then we have the vapour itself which can include chemicals and these may irritate the delicate airways of pets, particularly in cats which can be prone to asthma-like conditions. If someone is vaping in the house alongside their cat there is a potential risk there.”
Direct Ingestion Dangers
Beyond inhaling vapour, pets face additional risks from chewing or swallowing vape components. Ms Burke noted: “We also have the risk of the pet actually chewing or swallowing parts of the actual e-cigarette or vape. That could include the vaping liquid or even the battery itself.”
Dr Katharine Nelson, director of general practice at the Royal Veterinary College’s Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital in Camden, confirmed the scale of the problem. She stated: “At the Royal Veterinary College’s Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital in Camden, our vets commonly see pets with breathing difficulties. Conditions such as asthma in cats and bronchitis in dogs are often triggered or worsened by irritants in the air, and pet birds are especially sensitive to poor air quality.”
Dr Nelson added: “Vapes can also be harmful if chewed or eaten by pets. Liquid ingredients, such as nicotine or propylene glycol, can be directly toxic, but the team have also seen dogs that have eaten vape casings and batteries, which can cause internal damage.”
Warning Signs
Pet owners should watch for symptoms including coughing, wheezing, and changes in breathing patterns. Veterinary experts advise contacting a vet immediately if these signs appear.
Safety Recommendations
Ms Burke offered clear guidance for vapers with pets: “If possible, use vapes outdoors making your home as smoke and vapour free as possible. Don’t keep your vape or e-cigarette in the same room as your pet or where they can get to it, and don’t put your cartridges in the bin where dogs can go rummaging. It is just not worth the risk.”
Additional prevention measures include ventilating the home and keeping vaping devices out of reach of animals.
Human Health Concerns
The warnings come amid growing evidence of vaping’s impact on human health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nicotine from vaping slows brain development in under-25s, affecting attention, learning, mood, and impulse control while increasing addiction risk.
Dr Michael Heffernan of The Wessex Dental Specialist Care has linked vapes to tooth decay through dangerous chemicals and mouth dryness that promotes bacteria growth. The American Heart Association reports that vaping is as harmful to cardiovascular systems as traditional cigarettes.
Paediatric respiratory consultant Dr Mike McKean has reported cases of lung disease from vaping, while US researchers have connected young vapers to bronchitis, airway inflammation, and shortness of breath.
