KUALA LUMPUR: All animals could be adversely affected by poor air quality, although some pets are particularly vulnerable, says veterinarian Dr Sohanjit Singh.
“Birds are the most likely to be affected by poor air quality because of their very efficient respiratory systems.”
Among cats and dogs, he said brachycephalic or short-faced breeds are more susceptible, including Persian and exotic shorthair cats as well as pugs, bulldogs and French bulldogs.
Sohanjit said pets that are very young, elderly or immunocompromised are also at greater risk, adding that owners should watch for heavy breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, excessive sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, lethargy and reduced appetite.
Open-mouth breathing in cats is another warning sign, he said.
When air quality deteriorates, Sohanjit advised owners to replace long walks with brief toilet breaks or short outings, while exercise could be moved indoors through play, training or other enrichment activities.
The veterinarian cautioned that indoor air could also be affected by haze.
He recommended keeping doors and windows closed where practical, using an air purifier with a HEPA filter and minimising airborne irritants such as scented candles, incense and aerosol sprays.
Beyond household pets, environmental biologist Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail said prolonged haze could interfere with processes that sustain entire ecosystems.
Reduced light intensity could affect photosynthesis, while particulate matter could block plant pores and affect water acidity or pH, potentially reducing plant and agricultural productivity.
“The whole chain of processes in the ecosystem will be affected. It is not just plants, but also tiny creatures including microorganisms.
“The life cycle of insects, for example, might be affected. Birds and mammals can also experience problems with their eyes and respiratory systems.”
WWF-Malaysia conservation director Dr Jason Hon said haze should be regarded as an additional environmental stressor on forest ecosystems.
“For tigers, which depend on large, healthy forest habitats and sufficient populations of wild prey, changes to the wider ecosystem will also potentially affect them.
“The concern is therefore not only the direct effects of smoke exposure, but also how prolonged haze may disrupt the forest ecosystem and food web.”
Hon said research had documented changes in animal activity, travel patterns and energy expenditure due to wildfire smoke, although there was no evidence yet to say haze directly affected a Malayan tiger’s ability to hunt or locate prey.
However, changes in the behaviour or distribution of prey could potentially influence how tigers move and hunt.
He cautioned against assuming haze would cause tigers to increase human-wildlife conflict, saying any response would depend on factors including the severity and duration of the disturbance, prey availability and habitat connectivity.
