Poor air quality can affect pets just as much as their human owners

DENVER (KDVR) — We have lungs, and our pets do too. So when the air affects our breathing or allergies, it can bother theirs as well.

The size of your pet matters too because of how much smaller their lungs are than ours, so it’s important to watch them as much as the air.

“It’s easy for us to see the smoke and taste it and smell it, but we forget about our friends,” veterinarian Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald said.

When humans see smoke they usually think of their breathing, but not often, their pets too.

“Their cardiovascular system and respiratory system is not that much different than ours,” Fitzgerald said.

Birds, cats and smaller dogs are particularly vulnerable.

“It can be bad,…