Looking at passive smoking in pets
A professor of small animal medicine and oncology has spoken of her research into the passive smoking of pets at the BSAVA Congress 2013.
Professor Clare Knottenbelt, who teaches at the University of Glasgow's Small Animal Hospital, explained that it is too late to tell clients that smoking affects pets when their pet already has cancer.
For this reason, she has been involved in various studies and research to prove her theory. With scientific evidence to back her up, Prof Knottenbelt is now asking veterinary practices to encourage smokers to think of their pets' health.
Prof Knottenbelt's initial research involved proving that pets definitely do take in nicotine from passive smoking. This involved testing for nicotine in both the hair of dogs and on the surface of their coat.
The tests revealed those dogs that had been exposed to smoking indoors had the highest trace of nicotine, whereas those whose owners smoked while outside or on walks had less trace.
With this backing, Prof Knottenbelt is now in talks with various interested parties who are looking for new ways to encourage people to quit smoking. These include NHS Scotland, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Petsavers, who she is currently working alongside.
Prof Knottenbelt wants her findings to be brought into the veterinary practice, so the issue of passive smoking can be highlighted at the same time as any other discussion with a client about disease prevention, for example when asking about parasite control or vaccinations.
"I think veterinary nurses should really be involved with this, as well as vets," explained Prof Knottenbelt. "It should be a collaborative approach."
She added that when a client asks her why their pet has cancer, it is difficult to say that smoking is a factor because the damage is already done, which is why she feels more preventative work needs to be undertaken by vets.
"I would love it to be standard practice within the next few years because most [pet owners] haven't even thought about passive smoking and their pets before."
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
