Is vaping bad for pets? Why e-cigarette nicotin harms cats and dogs

Brian Faulkner - Article expert
Brian Faulkner
Veterinary Surgeon
RCVS Registered
nicotine-effects-on-dogs
Petplan veterinary expert Brian Faulkner explores the toxic effects that e-cigarettes can have on your pets.

Quick Links

As more people have turned from smoking cigarettes to ‘vaping’ e-cigarettes, many households now have the devices lying around in places where cats and dogs can easily access them. Unfortunately, e-cigarettes can cause some serious health problems for your pets if they start chewing on them.

It is mostly dogs that end up with poisoning from e-cigarette nicotine and the liquid refill solution, but the devices are also toxic to cats.

Most of the risk of poisoning for animals is from ingesting the e-liquid itself, which contains high levels of nicotine. The issue is that the amount of nicotine in each cartridge contains the equivalent of one to two traditional cigarettes.

The sweet aroma of the liquid nicotine contained in e-cigarettes can be alluring to dogs, and the non-tobacco flavoured e-cigarettes can be particularly enticing. If packets of refill cartridges are left lying around the house and your pet chews them, they might end up consuming a very large amount of nicotine (especially as these packets usually contain five refill cartridges).

As well as the toxicity of nicotine, the actual e-cigarette casing could cause an injury to your pet’s mouth when chewed. It could also cause gastrointestinal upset, with the risk of obstructing the intestine.

Some e-cigarette users buy vials of liquid nicotine solution for refilling e-cigarette cartridges. The small bottles hold enough liquid to fill multiple cartridges, meaning they contain a considerable amount of nicotine.

Pets can react to nicotine poisoning very quickly, generally within 15 to 60 minutes following ingestion.

Signs of toxicity in both cats and dogs include agitation, weakness, tremors, blue colouration to mouth and gums, vomiting, diarrhoea, elevations in heart rate and respiration rate, seizures, comas and cardiac arrest.

If you suspect your pet has ingested nicotine, or any component of an e-cigarette, take them to your vet as soon as possible. Getting veterinary care is essential due to the speed at which nicotine poisoning can occur following ingestion.

The best thing you can do is to prevent the risk of poisoning in the first place. Keep all e-cigarettes, cartridges and vials of refilling solution out of the reach of pets and children.

Brian Faulkner - Article expert
Petplan Vet Expert

Brian is a long standing vet and President of the UK Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons. He's worked in more than 250 veterinary practices as a clinician, consultant and confidence coach. Brian holds several academic positions, is a keynote speaker and the founder of Colourful CPD, and organisation providing training for veterinary practices.

Brian co-writes our articles on pet health, where we cover everything from common conditions to supporting your pet after an operation.

Find out more about Brian

Follow us

Petplan is a trading name of Pet Plan Limited (Registered in England No. 1282939) and Allianz Insurance plc (Registered in England No. 84638), Registered office: 57 Ladymead, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1DB.

Pet Plan Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 311969. Allianz Insurance plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register No. 121849. Pet Plan Limited is a subsidiary of Allianz Insurance plc. Fitz All Media Limited is an Appointed Representative of Pet Plan Limited.