Look at this dog, he’s sad and sick because his owner smokes a lot

Researchers at University of Glasgow have found that pets living in a smoky environment have a higher risk of health problems including some animal cancers, cell damage and weight gain.

If the pathological repercussions of smoking weren’t enough to convince you to quit, here’s another reason that just might. University of Glasgow, in an ongoing study, has claimed that second-hand or passive smoking is hazardous not only for your fellow humans but for your beloved pets as well.

University of Glasgow, in an ongoing study, has claimed that second-hand or passive smoking is hazardous not only for humans but for pets as well.(Shutterstock)

Researchers at the Scottish institution have found that pets living in a smoky environment have a higher risk of health problems including some animal cancers, cell damage and weight gain.

“Pet owners often do not think about the impact that smoking could have on their pets,” said Clare Knottenbelt, professor of small animal medicine and oncology.

Read: This New Year, promise yourself to stop smoking, start living

“Our findings show that exposure to smoke in the home is having a direct impact on pets.

“It risks ongoing cell damage, increasing weight gain after castration and has previously been shown to increase the risk of certain cancers.”

While dogs can take in significant amounts of smoke, the university study shows cats are “even more affected”.

“This may be due to the extensive self-grooming that cats do, as this would increase the amount of smoke (chemicals) taken in to the body,” said Knottenbelt.

Pets are your family too, quit smoking for their health. (Shutterstock)

The research so far has found that while outdoor access made little difference for cats, smoking away from them did reduce the amount taken into the body.

It has found that when smokers light up fewer than 10 times a day, nicotine levels dropped significantly, but were nonetheless noticeably higher than in cats from non-smoking homes.

An examination of the testicles of castrated dogs found that a gene, which acts as a marker of cell damage, was higher in dogs living in smoking homes.

Dogs living with a smoker also gained more weight after neutering. The finished research paper is expected to be published in 2016.