As vape juice does not contain tar or any of the other toxins contained in cigarettes, it is generally considered a better alternative to smoking. Many vape juices, on the other hand, include liquid nicotine, which is harmful to humans and even more so to animals.
If you use liquids nicotine vape pen, you should think about the risks of vaping with pets and make sure you're doing everything you can to keep your dog, cat, bird, or other furry buddy safes while vaping. While there is still a lot of study to be done on the impacts of vaping on pets, there is some useful information and a few easy practices you may do at home.
Vape juice without nicotine isn't considered to be harmful to pets, and vape clouds diffuse fast into the air, so your pet isn't likely to inhale much of it anyhow. Despite this, pet owners should be aware of the heat created by the toxins; never blow vapor into a pet's face or leave your pen where a pet may touch it and spill its contents or burn itself.
Vape pens and liquids containing nicotine, on the other hand, are extremely hazardous to dogs. Nicotine is poisonous to humans in all forms, but it is considerably more deadly to dogs and cats. If you use liquid nicotine to vape, keep in mind how it may impact your pet.
One major issue is that some vape packs will contain at least as much nicotine as a normal cigarette, if not double as much. Many vape pen users don't quit vaping after finishing a single full container, increasing the quantity of nicotine your dogs are exposed to.
E-cigarettes are especially dangerous for dogs since many of them contain flavoring and additional smells to enhance the smoking experience. Dogs are frequently drawn to those fragrances, prompting them to approach the vape pen, allowing them to inhale even more dangerous nicotine.
The effects of nicotine in vape juice and vape containers vary depending on your animal's weight and general health, as well as the nicotine content in your specific type of vape juice. Take note of the following signs of nicotine overdose in cats and dogs so you know when to take your pet to the vet:
It's also a good idea to pay attention to how your pet reacts to your vape pen. If they appear to be upset by your vaping, make sure your dog or cat has easy access to another room or that your home's windows are open for most fresh air. This will guarantee that your pet is comfortable while you enjoy your vape time.
Although non-nicotine vape juices are not inherently harmful to cats and dogs, certain cats are particularly sensitive to the propylene glycol included in these liquids. When cats eat too much vape juice, they develop a kind of anemia that is dangerous to their health. Send notes of important anemia signs so you know when to take your pet to the vet:
Ingesting smoking vape juice is extremely hazardous for animals of all ages. Remember that part of the tobacco in your e-liquid evaporates into the air as you vape. When your pet inhales those fumes, they are only treated to a small amount of nicotine.
Ingesting vape juice, on the other hand, entails ingesting a larger and more powerful dose of nicotine. In rare circumstances, giving your cat or dog too much nicotine-laced vape juice can be disastrous. It's critical to keep nicotine-containing vape juice out of reach of your pets if you use it.
Nicotine can be a fast-acting poison depending on the quantity ingested. A pet will generally show indications of poisoning within one hour.
The following are the most common symptoms:
Nicotine poisoning can occur in young children and dogs as a result of mistakenly ingesting nicotine-laced e-liquids. Fortunately, there are a number of simple and straightforward solutions to avoid this from happening. Keep any e-liquids out of reach of small children and pets in a secure area. Encourage all of your fellow vapers who have children or pets at home to follow suit.
E-liquid packaging is solution is available, so even if a child manages to get their hands on a bottle, they will be safe. Most pets, on the other hand, have sharp teeth that may break e-liquid bottles. As a result, they may wind up drinking something. If you keep your e-juices away from your pets, vaping will have little effect on them.
Pets and their owners share a special bond built on unconditional love. For those who smoke at home, it’s important to recognize the dangers of secondhand smoke — not just for the people around them but for their pets as well. While vaping is often seen as a less harmful alternative, pet owners should still be cautious. Even with stealth vaping — discreetly vaping to minimize vapor clouds — there’s still a risk, as exposure to e-liquids and vapor can potentially affect pets. Understanding these risks is key to keeping your furry friends safe.
Yes, vaping can be harmful to pets. Secondhand vapour exposure, nicotine poisoning from e-liquid ingestion, and device-related hazards pose serious risks. Dogs, cats, and small animals are particularly vulnerable due to their size, sensitivity, and curious nature around vaping products.
Yes, secondhand vapour contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavourings that can irritate pets' respiratory systems, eyes, and skin. While less harmful than cigarette smoke, it's not safe—especially for pets with existing respiratory conditions like asthma.
Nicotine poisoning is a medical emergency. Symptoms appear within 15-60 minutes: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, tremors, increased heart rate, lethargy, seizures, or collapse. Even small amounts (1ml of 20mg nic salt) can be lethal to dogs. Seek immediate veterinary care.
Symptoms include excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, trembling, weakness, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, dilated pupils, seizures, and collapse. Symptoms typically appear within 15-60 minutes of exposure. This is a veterinary emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Yes, cats are highly susceptible to vaping-related illness. They're sensitive to nicotine, PG, and flavourings. Exposure causes respiratory irritation, poisoning from ingestion (especially during grooming if liquid gets on fur), and neurological symptoms. Cats metabolize toxins slower, increasing risk.
Toxic dose varies by size: for dogs, 0.5-1mg nicotine per pound of body weight is dangerous; 4mg/lb is potentially lethal. A 10ml bottle of 20mg nic salt (200mg total nicotine) could kill a 50lb dog. Even small tastes can cause serious illness.
Yes, regular secondhand vapour exposure can cause coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and aggravate existing conditions like feline asthma, canine bronchitis, or heart disease. Birds are extremely sensitive—vapour exposure can be fatal due to their delicate respiratory systems.
Yes: birds are extremely vulnerable (fatal respiratory damage), small dogs and cats (higher dose per body weight), puppies and kittens (developing systems), pets with respiratory conditions (asthma, bronchitis), senior pets (compromised health), and curious/playful pets (higher ingestion risk).
Never vape indoors around pets, store e-liquids and devices in locked cabinets out of reach, never leave devices unattended, dispose of empty pods/bottles securely, wash hands after handling e-liquid, vape outdoors away from pets, and educate household members about risks.
Immediate action required: note the amount and nicotine strength ingested, call your vet or emergency animal hospital immediately (don't wait for symptoms), bring the e-liquid bottle for reference, do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed, and transport pet to vet urgently.
Yes, pets can have sensitivities or allergic reactions to propylene glycol, certain flavourings (particularly artificial sweeteners like xylitol in some liquids), or other ingredients, causing skin irritation, respiratory issues, digestive upset, or allergic reactions requiring veterinary attention.
While vaping eliminates tar and many cigarette toxins, it's NOT safe around pets. Nicotine remains highly toxic, and vapour still contains chemicals harmful to animals. Both should be done away from pets—vaping is harm reduction for humans, not animals.
Repeated nicotine exposure could theoretically cause dependence, though this is less documented than acute poisoning. The primary concerns are immediate toxicity from ingestion and respiratory irritation from secondhand exposure rather than addiction development.
Always vape outdoors or in designated room away from pets, ensure excellent ventilation, store all vaping products in pet-proof containers, never leave devices on low surfaces, clean up spills immediately, dispose of products securely, and consider lower nicotine strengths to reduce toxicity risk.
Consult your veterinarian about vaping safety around your specific pets, call Pet Poison Helpline (fee-based) or ASPCA Poison Control for emergencies, and visit WizVape for information on responsible vaping practices that protect both you and your pets.
