{
  "id": 15532515,
  "title": "Haze can affect your pets, too",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/haze-can-affect-your-pets-too-15532515",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/10/19/haze-can-affect-your-pets-too"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Polluted air during haze can impact pets, not just humans, urging pet owners to keep their animals indoors for their safety. A cat that died during a haze event prompted animal lovers to question the effects of polluted air on pets. Veterinarian Dr Muhammad Naim Kasim clarified that cats and dogs share the same respiratory system as humans and can suffer respiratory effects when fine particles enter their airways. These particles can irritate the respiratory tract, trigger inflammation, and make it harder for an animal to breathe. Signs of a pet struggling due to haze exposure include breathing difficulties and watery eyes. However, these symptoms may also indicate other health issues, necessitating a veterinary examination. Animals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, or older pets, may be particularly vulnerable to haze-related respiratory problems. Veterinarians recommend keeping pets indoors when air quality deteriorates, ensuring good indoor air quality. Although indoor air quality can still deteriorate due to haze particles entering through open windows and doors, staying inside helps minimize exposure. Prolonged exposure to polluted air without treatment can worsen lung inflammation in affected animals. Treatment options include anti-inflammatory drugs, oxygen therapy, and antibiotics, depending on the underlying issue. Pet owners should not assume that every cough, watery eye, or breathing problem is caused by haze and seek veterinary attention promptly if their cat or dog appears to be struggling for breath.",
  "summary": "Cats and dogs breathe the same polluted air we do - and those with respiratory problems, heart disease or advanced age may be especially vulnerable.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Haze can affect your pets, too",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/haze-can-affect-your-pets-too",
        "published": "2026-10-19T00:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}