How to Protect Your Pets from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

When we hear stories in the news about instances of carbon monoxide poisoning, more often than not it's almost always about people. They may have left fuel-burning space heaters running in an unventilated room or had issues with faulty gas appliances. However, it's not just humans that experience suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Our precious pets can too.
Just like it can with humans, exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) can put your pets at serious risk. So let’s take a look at how it happens, the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning in pets, how to prevent it from occurring, and what to do if you suspect your pet has been exposed.
With greater understanding and by putting some essential precautionary measures in place, you can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and build the safest environment for your beloved fur babies.
What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Carbon monoxide gas is famous for being colourless and odourless, so it’s no wonder that most people don’t realise they’ve been exposed until it’s too late, let alone their pets.
It is the by-product of the incomplete combustion of fuels such as natural gas, oil, coal, and wood. CO can build up to dangerous levels when you have fuel-burning appliances or gas equipment like gas stoves, oil and gas furnaces, or space heaters that have been improperly vented.
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when humans or animals inhale this toxic gas. Breathing it in stops our red blood cells from carrying oxygen throughout the body. Due to its colourless and odourless nature, carbon monoxide is difficult to detect, at least without professional CO testing. Knowing the potential sources of carbon monoxide in your home and taking the necessary steps to prevent exposure is crucial.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Pets
Now, it can often be challenging to identify the common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning in pets. This is because they generally resemble other common illnesses like a garden variety cold or the influenza virus. However, being aware of these signs is crucial for early intervention:
- Lethargy: Your pet may seem unusually tired or weak or they’ll sleep more than usual.
- Difficulty breathing: Rapid or laboured breathing is a key indicator of carbon monoxide exposure.
- Vomiting: Sudden, unexplained vomiting can be a sign of CO poisoning.
- Uncoordinated movements: Pets may stumble or have trouble walking.
- Seizures: Severe CO poisoning may cause your pets to experience seizures.
- Red or irritated eyes: Prolonged exposure to toxic CO fumes can lead to irritation.
- Sudden behavioural changes: Your pet may become anxious, disoriented, or unusually clingy.
If you notice any of these symptoms, get your pet outside into fresh air immediately and seek veterinary care ASAP. Getting carbon monoxide poisoning diagnosed early is vital to preventing severe health consequences.
Why are Pets at Risk?
In many cases, the smaller size and faster metabolism of our pets puts them at greater risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
As they’re generally more sensitive to environmental changes, animals will often experience the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure much more quickly than humans. You’ll often find that animals with chronic heart and lung disease, like certain breeds of dogs and cats, are particularly susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Pets spend a lot of time indoors. That time indoors is often in spaces where we use gas appliances like living room space heaters or the gas oven in the kitchen. They are closer to the common sources of CO, so they are more likely to inhale dangerous levels of it.
What to Do If You Suspect Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Pet
If your pet has suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s crucial to act quickly to protect their health. Here are the immediate steps you should take:
- Move your pet to fresh air immediately: Get your pet outdoors in the fresh air or to a well-ventilated area as soon as possible.
- Turn off potential carbon monoxide sources: Shut off gas stoves, space heaters, or any other gas appliances that might leave you and your pets susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Open windows and doors: Increase the ventilation throughout your home to reduce carbon monoxide levels. Opening doors and windows will allow fresh air in.
- Call your vet immediately: Get on the phone with your veterinarian or an emergency clinic ASAP to inform them of the situation and seek advice.
- Monitor your pet closely: Watch for symptoms like difficulty breathing, lethargy, or vomiting, and provide any information to your vet.
Getting on top of the situation quickly is key to preventing severe carbon monoxide poisoning. Early intervention gives your precious pets a better shot at a quicker recovery.
How is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Treated in Pets?
Earlier on, we looked at the common symptoms of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in pets. To escalate the suspected CO poisoning status to confirmed, your vet may perform a blood test to check for elevated levels of CO in your pet’s bloodstream.
Quick diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning is a must for providing effective treatment to pets. The most common treatment involves administering pure oxygen. This process displaces the carbon monoxide from red blood cells and restores normal oxygen levels to the body.
In severe cases, your pet may require hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which involves placing them in a chamber that delivers oxygen at higher-than-atmospheric pressure.
How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Home
For the sake of your pets, and indeed yourself, preventing carbon monoxide poisoning at home comes down to the way you maintain and use your fuel-burning appliances.
- Make sure every gas appliance in your home is vented properly to avoid the build-up of toxic fumes.
- Have a licensed gas fitter regularly inspect and service these appliances to keep them working safely.
- Never use portable generators or coal-burning appliances inside. They will quickly produce carbon monoxide gas at dangerous levels.
- If you’ve got your car running inside the garage for any reason, keep the garage door open.
- Always supervise your pets around these potential CO sources.
- Make sure you have sufficient ventilation, especially in rooms with gas appliances.
- Finally, consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm and detectors throughout your home.
Speaking of the carbon monoxide detector…
The Important Role of the Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide detectors are essential tools for preventing carbon monoxide poisoning in your home. These devices monitor the air for dangerous levels of CO and signal with an alarm if they detect any traces.
The best places for installing carbon monoxide detectors are near your pets’ indoor sleeping areas, in rooms with gas appliances, and in common areas where your pets spend the most time. If you’re installing CO detectors for the first time, choose those with a battery backup. This will guarantee that they keep working during power outages. It’s also important to test your CO detectors regularly to make sure they are working properly and replace the batteries when necessary.
How to Arrange CO Testing
To keep your home safe from carbon monoxide exposure, we strongly recommend using a registered gas fitter. Yes, DIY testing kits are certainly available from your local hardware store. However, the process of DIY carbon monoxide testing can be risky and often less thorough than an inspection from a licensed professional.
An experienced gas fitter will leave no stone unturned as they conduct comprehensive carbon monoxide testing in your home. Attempting to handle these tasks yourself can come with significant risks, as improper testing or maintenance could leave your home vulnerable to dangerous CO exposure.
Trusting a qualified professional ensures that your home, and your pets, remain safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Keep Your Pets Safe from Severe Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
For any responsible pet owner, protecting our four-legged friends from carbon monoxide poisoning is crucial.
By knowing the common risk factors and being proactive with your preventative measures, you can dramatically lower the chances of your pets being exposed to this invisible threat.
Regularly inspect your home’s appliances, stay vigilant for any signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, and always prioritise your pets’ safety. By doing so, you create a safer and healthier environment for your furry companions.
Our pets rely on us, so take the necessary steps to keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.
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