Dogs are very human-friendly creatures on earth. But if they are faced with tear gas, what should you do? Many people think that dogs are not affected by tear gas. But this is not the case. So, Are Dogs Immune to Tear Gas? Lets dive in!
We will discuss dogs and tear gas in this article. Also, we will cover some tips on what to do if your dog is accidentally into tear gas.
Tear gas is a chemical weapon that irritates the nose, eyes, throat and lungs. A tear gas canister or grenade can also be deployed as a liquid agent containing three main elements: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide.
Law enforcement and military personnel commonly use tear gas to disperse crowds or subdue individuals. It is also used in some riot control situations.
Are Dogs Immune to Tear Gas?
There is a popular myth that dogs are resistant to tear gas is not true at all. They are affected the same way as humans are by tear gas. Even dogs have very sensitive noses, so they are more likely to be affected by tear gas.
A dog inhales the tear gas, which causes burning and irritation in the nose, throat, and lungs. Tear gas exposure can lead to difficulty breathing, coughing, and vomiting. In severe cases, dogs can even die from tear gas exposure.
Why Are Dogs Affected by Tear Gas?
Dogs are affected by tear gas more than normal humans. This is because of the short nose they have. Also, they have breathing airways that are too close to the ground. As a result, short-nosed breeds of dogs, such as Pugs and Bulldogs, are more vulnerable to tear gas.
Read More about Dogs: 9 Skinny Dog Breeds Information
Does Tear Gas Affect Dogs?
Tear gas is a chemical weapon used in warfare and law enforcement for many years. Recently, there have been reports of dogs being affected by tear gas, particularly during protests.
Severe tear gas can result in difficulty breathing and even death because it irritates the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Some evidence suggests that tear gas can cause harm to dogs, but there is no definitive answer as to whether it affects them.
How Are Dogs Immune to Tear Gas?
Dogs are immune to tear gas because they have a better sense of smell than humans. This means they can quickly identify the presence of tear gas and move away from it.
Moreover, dogs have fur that protects them from tear gas’ harmful effects, and dogs typically have a higher pain tolerance than humans.
Signs and Symptoms of Dogs’ Reaction to Tear Gas
You’ll notice a few signs in dogs exposed to tear gas. When the tear gas first contacts a dog, its eyes will water profusely, its nose will run, and it may even start bleeding.
The dog will also respond differently to the gas, so that you can tell. In response to the pain caused by tear gas, the mucous glands in the eyes, nose, mouth, and lungs will irritate, causing them to whine, whimper, or paw at their nose and eyes.
Dogs may have extreme reactions to tear gas and stop moving because they cannot see clearly, and the pain is too much for them to continue functioning normally. Some things that your dog will do if it is affected by Tear Gas are:
- Coughing
- Watery eyes
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive salivation
- Pawing at the face
- Unconsciousness
Tips to Help a Dog Exposed to Tear Gas
Suppose you think that your dog is affected by tear gas, or you observe some of these symptoms in your dog. There are some tips that you can do to save your dog.
Find Fresh Air
Take your dog away from that area where the gas is. This will surely reduce the effect of the tear gas. Sometimes your dog will start huffing in this situation.
Related Post: Why Does My Dog Huff at Me?
Give Them Water to Drink.
You can give water to your dog or some ice cubes to lick when your dog is exposed to tear gas, as this gas can cause dehydration in the dog’s body. To avoid vomiting, don’t give too much water to your dog.
Provide Rescue Breaths
You can give your dog rescue breath with the help of a straw or pipe if it is facing difficulty breathing.
Rinse Their Eyes and Face
Rinse their eyes and face with clean water. According to Working Dog HQ, washing their eyes will stop the burning and help flush out any tear gas. Wipe their faces with a damp cloth.
Seek Medical Attention
You should seek medical attention immediately if your dog shows a severe reaction. Take your dog to an emergency animal hospital or call your veterinarian. There is no specific antidote for tear gas, but your vet can provide supportive care and treatment. With prompt treatment, most dogs will recover fully from tear gas exposure.
Keep the Dog Inside
Prevention is better than treatment. You can protect your dog from the harmful effect of tear gas by keeping it inside. When you live in an area prone to riots or protests, keep your dog inside and away from areas where tear gas may be used.
Use an Air Filter for Dogs.
Keep them on a leash and avoid areas where tear gas has been used. You may also consider fitting them with a muzzle to prevent them from pawing at their faces.
FAQs
In addition to genetics, some people are naturally tolerant to CS gas (an estimated 2-5% of the world’s population is resistant, with a large percentage of those coming from East Asian descent).
A dog’s immune system consists of specialized cells and organs that protect him from bacteria, viruses, toxins, parasites, and other foreign invaders.
Final Verdict
Many people believe in the myth that dogs are immune to tear gas but are not. But trained dogs such as military dogs may not show that they are not affected by the tear gas as it is a part of their training.
But due to the unique anatomy of dogs which helps them to smell great, they may feel the effect of tear gas acutely. We hope the information regarding whether dogs are immune to tear gas or not was helpful, and we answered all your queries. Thanks for reading!