A Warning To All Vaper Pet Owners

Danger To Pets Spike With Increase In Electronic Cigarette Popularity

E Cigarettes are becoming more and more popular, which means the potential danger for pets will naturally rise as more people have products containing liquid nicotine in their homes.

News reports show that in cases involving animals being exposed to nicotine have risen from over 200 animals in 2011, to over 300 animals in 2013. So although vaping is considered to be safe for you, the associated paraphernalia may pose a significant risk to your pets as nicotine is an incredible dangerous poison.

Why Is It Dangerous?

Nicotine in its pure liquid form is dangerous to both humans and animals when exposed to the skin and ingested (rather than vaped). It can seriously harm or kill an animal if they are exposed to it, and there are other dangers associated with e cigarette related products as well.

The Dangers

There are various dangers for pets associated with e cigarettes including:

• The rechargeable battery - if ingested by your pets this can cause oral burns.
• The cartridge - this contains liquid nicotine, which can vary in strength with some containing 36 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter.
• Refill containers - these can contain up to 100 milligrams per milliliter of nicotine within the eliquid.
• Flavourings - as the eliquids can smell nice and contain flavourings, these may make the eliquid more desirable to pets.

Look Out For The Signs

If you have pets and use e cigarettes it is important you first and foremost make every effort to ensure your e cigarette and associated products are kept well out of the way so pets cannot reach them. However, accidents can happen so it is important you understand what the signs of nicotine poisoning are in animals so that you can spot them and get the animal the attention it needs immediately. The following symptoms may indicate nicotine poisoning:

• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Diarrhea
• Agitation
• A fast heartbeat
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Lethargy
• Muscular weakness

Nicotine does not need to be ingested orally to make an animal ill. It can be absorbed through the skin, so even if your animal gets some on its skin, or has an open eliquid container in its mouth for a moment, the nicotine can be absorbed through the skin and cause medical issues.

If Your Pet Is Exposed To Nicotine

If you suspect your pet has been exposed to nicotine, even if they haven't presented any symptoms yet - get to a vet immediately. if they have been exposed they should start showing signs very quickly, because nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream rapidly. Act quickly to give them the best chance of survival.