Vaping and pet cats

[Sir Pouncival]

I'm not too concerned about any ill health effects from vaping propylene glycol for myself, but I am a bit concerned for my cats. They removed propylene glycol from cat food in the 90s because it causes Heinz body anemia. Here is a toxicology article from the CDC. You can see where doses as low as 1.26 g/kg/day caused the condition. I don't think that being around PG vapor in the air would allow absorbtion of that much PG, but over the long term with chronic exposure, who knows. I'd be interested to know the amount we actually absorb from inhalation. Obviously it isn't the whole tank full of juice, but 1.26g/kg isn't that much really, especially if a cat is on the small side and is around a cloud chaser all day or even all evening, and the dose may be much lower for chronic exposure over years.

Thoughts? Experiences? References to any info on how much is actually absorbed through inhalation? I'm hoping/guessing it would be in the microgram range for second hand inhalation. I don't mind exposing myself to some risk with all this stuff, but my dear kitties are another story.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Mine don't mind it at all and I have 27....j/k, we have three.

 

[stevegmu]

Why risk it?

 

[Alto101]

Mine don't seem to care at all. They will sometimes try to chase the clouds though

On a serious note, I believe there was an earlier thread stating that there are no known incidents to date of cats having effects from second-hand vapor. That doesn't prove that it isn't a potential problem but it is useful.

I think sensible precautions are wise. Use a higher VG juice if possible and try to keep the vapor from directly blowing on the cats.

 

[doots]

ventilate the room or area where you are vaping would be a good idea just to be safe.

 

[Alto101]

ventilate the room or area where you are vaping would be a good idea just to be safe.

Good point. We have a good size air filter constantly running downstairs where the cats spend the majority of their time.

 

[bigdancehawk]

You can see where doses as low as 1.26 g/kg/day caused the condition. :

Let's say your cat weighs 10 pounds.
That's about 4.5 kg
4.5 x 1.26 g = 5.67 g
5.67 g = 5.67 ml

So, if your e-juice is 50% pg/50% vg, your cat would have to inhale or otherwise ingest over 11 ml of it per day to contract the condition.

 

[stevegmu]

Considering there are no studies concerning inhalation of PG by cats, I don't risk it...

 

[Alto101]

Considering there are no studies concerning inhalation of PG by cats, I don't risk it...

I doubt that there will ever be any proper studies done. It is your choice though so no harm.

 

[catlady60]

I decided to switch my juice from 80/20 PG/VG to max VG in part because my roomie is violently allergic to PG--and perfume; partly because I've started wheezing from PG; and partly because my cats are being adversely affected by PG.

I have 4 cats in the house: two females and two males. The females weigh 8 and 9 pounds respectively, and the males, 12 and 18 pounds. The 12-lb. male became chronically constipated due in part to my vaping PG, which I vape outside exclusively (and am slowing getting rid of). My 18-lb. big boy is just coming out of a months-long depression; I discovered PG may have caused it. Since I've been vaping outside, his depression lifted.

 

[catlady60]

Considering there are no studies concerning inhalation of PG by cats, I don't risk it...

I wouldn't let my cat vape, either--especially the AiV Cheshire Catnip. My 18-lb Max tried, but I took the mod away from him.