As a pet parent, you want to do everything you can to protect the safety and health of your fur babies. Pets are particularly vulnerable to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning because they have smaller bodies and faster metabolisms than humans, so they will feel the effects more quickly. This is why it is crucial to take precautions to protect your pets from carbon monoxide.
Understanding carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. This happens when you burn fuels like gas, wood, propane or charcoal in enclosed spaces or when you use appliances without proper ventilation. It can accumulate quickly in enclosed spaces or spaces with low oxygen levels.
When there is too much carbon monoxide in the air, your body replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells with gas and reduces the ability of your red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. This can damage your heart and brain because they need a lot of oxygen to function.
Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of CO exposure and poisoning. Being aware of the signs and symptoms will help you in the event of a leak.
Your pet may exhibit unusual behaviors such as irritability, anxiety or aggression. They may suddenly become more afraid of children, noises or other animals. Anxiety symptoms like being startled by bright lights or hesitating to go down stairs are also signs of vision loss in petsso you should consult the veterinarian if you notice such behaviors.
Some of the other symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Refusing to enter the house after being outside
- Uncoordinated movement
- Cherry red lips, gums and ears
- Difficulty breathing and drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Seizures
If you see signs, take your pet to the veterinarian. They will receive oxygen therapy – which uses a breathing mask or oxygen chamber to re-oxygenate their blood – and intravenous fluid therapy to lower their blood pH at normal levels. You should closely monitor your pets recovering from CO poisoning for a few days after treatment for worsening or return of symptoms.
How to protect your pets from carbon monoxide
You need to take extra precautions in winter since you may use more heating methods. Home boilers are a common source of carbon monoxide, as are vehicle exhaust, gas stoves and water heaters.
Here are some steps you can take to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:
Close the house door while you warm up your car
A running car in an attached garage poses risks to your pets. Your pets love to follow you everywhere and may be curious about the noise of your car. If you have a blind pet, you can separate areas like the garage for their safety.
Use combustion appliances outdoors
Outdoor heaters, camp stoves and generators produce carbon monoxide at high levels, which can be dangerous in small spaces or unventilated areas.
Maintain your heating systems regularly
Have your water heater and home heating system serviced at least once a year. You should also have your chimney swept regularly and maintain a clean, well-ventilated fireplace.
Install animal barriers in front of chimneys
Even your pet loves the warmth of a fire on a cold day, use pet gates or baby stands in front of the fireplace to protect them from burns. You should also train your pet to stay away from the fireplace area, even with a safety gate.
Get indoor plants that absorb CO
Plants like bamboo, Chinese conifer, gerbera and spider plants have the ability to remove carbon monoxide from the air. Studies show spider plants can reduce CO levels by up to 65% and reduce contaminants in a room. Gerberas are also very effective at filtering the air. They absorb carbon monoxide at night and replenish oxygen levels in its place. They are best placed in bedrooms because they filter the air at night.
Install a carbon monoxide detector
If the CO detectors ever sound an alarm, go outside immediately and call 911.
Have an escape plan
A good precautionary measure to protect your family from prolonged exposure to CO in any case is to have an escape plan. This includes knowing who will carry your pet out of the house, especially if you have stairs. Going down the stairs can be make efforts for animals with mobility problems and you must protect them from injury in an emergency. The alarm may also frighten your pet, so it is likely that he will exhibit symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
How to choose the right gas detector
CO detectors measure and evaluate carbon monoxide levels in a home. They sound the alarm if CO levels in a room reach a dangerous level and pose a risk of poisoning.
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a CO detector:
- Safety battery: Plug-in or hard-wired detectors with a battery backup will provide the most reliable protection. They will work during a power outage and reduce the frequency of replacing old batteries.
- Smart features: Some gas detectors can connect to your smartphone or Alexa, making it easy to monitor, sync, and test the sensors.
- Interconnectivity: Consider purchasing CO detectors with Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities. All connected sensors will sound even if just one room has high levels of carbon monoxide, alerting everyone in your home.
You should install at least one detector for each level of your house and one near the bedrooms. CO sensors are best placed outside kitchens, bathrooms, and garages because you might receive false alarms from your car’s exhaust or a gas burner.
After installing CO detectors, you should test them at least once a month. You should also regularly check if they are clean and vacuum up any dust build-up to prevent the sensors from getting stuck or giving false alarms.
Protect your pet from carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide is deadly to humans and animals. By installing CO gas detectors and taking extra precautions with combustion appliances, you can protect your pets from poisoning and ensure they live long and happy lives.
Guest author:
Jack Shaw
Jack Shaw is a passionate freelance writer focused on promoting health and wellness. With a deep love for animals, he strives to bridge the gap between human welfare and animal care. Her articles aim to inspire readers and their pets to lead healthier lives while fostering a compassionate connection with the world around them.