Pets and wildfire smoke hit my Sacramento apartment like a bad horror movie last summer. I’m talking AQI over 300, sky the color of a traffic cone, and my golden retriever Kevin doing this weird reverse sneeze that sounded like a dying kazoo. I was just trying to drink my coffee and pretend the world wasn’t on fire—then Kevin coughed so hard he fell off the couch. Yeah. That got my attention.
I live in a second-floor walk-up with windows that don’t seal great. The smoke was inside. Like, I could taste it in my cereal. Kevin kept pawing at his nose and giving me that “fix it, human” look. So I did what any responsible dog mom does: I Googled “dog smoke inhalation” at 3 a.m. and spiraled.
Pets and Wildfire Smoke: The Vet Bill That Made Me Cry
Took Kevin to the emergency vet in my taco pajamas (don’t judge). The vet said his lungs were irritated from all the tiny particles in wildfire smoke—dogs breathe deeper and faster than we do, so they get hit harder. $400 later, I had a nebulizer prescription and a new fear of opening windows.
She told me to keep him inside, run air purifiers, and watch for coughing, wheezing, or lethargy. Kevin just tried to eat her pen. Classic.
Pets and Wildfire Smoke: My DIY Air Cleaner (Because I’m Cheap)
I couldn’t afford a fancy HEPA purifier, so I made one:
- Box fan from Target ($20)
- MERV 13 furnace filter taped on with duct tape (yes, the rainbow kind)
- Pointed it out the window to push smoke out
It worked. Kind of. The tape kept peeling, and Kevin thought the fan was a new toy. But his cough got better in two days.
Pets and Wildfire Smoke: Dumb Things I Did First
Let me confess:
- Took him on a walk when the AQI was 180. Came back with black paws and guilt.
- Diffused lavender oil because some influencer said it “calms respiratory distress.” Kevin sneezed in my face.
- Wrapped a human mask around his snout. It fell off in 3 seconds. He looked betrayed.
Don’t be me.
Pets and Wildfire Smoke: What Actually Works
Here’s what I wish I’d known on day one:
- Check AirNow.gov daily – I have it bookmarked like a stalker.
- Seal windows with painter’s tape – Not perfect, but better than nothing.
- Wet towels under doors – Old-school but legit.
- Indoor potty patch – Kevin uses a grass pad on the balcony now. He judges me, but he’s breathing.
- Frozen treats – Keeps him busy and hydrated.
Pets and Wildfire Smoke: The Silver Lining (Yes, There’s One)
Being trapped inside with Kevin for a week was weirdly nice. We did puzzle toys, I learned to bake (burned the first batch), and he only barked at the air purifier 47 times a day instead of 50.
When the air finally cleared, I opened one window just a crack. Kevin stuck his whole head out like he’d won the lottery. I teared up. Don’t tell anyone.
Look, pets and wildfire smoke suck. But you can get through it. Check AirNow.gov every morning, talk to your vet early, and don’t wait until your dog sounds like a broken accordion.
Kevin’s fine now. I’m still jumpy when the sky turns orange. Drop your own tips below—I could use them. And check the ASPCA’s disaster prep guide if you want the official version (way less chaotic than mine).
