Baltimore is under a Code Red air quality alert today as smoke from Canadian wildfires moves through the Mid-Atlantic. Western Maryland is sitting at Code Purple. The Baltimore Banner has full coverage of the health impacts and how to protect yourself — read it. This could be the worst air quality the state has seen since 2023, when the region spent days under Code Red, Purple, and Maroon alerts.

You’ve probably already adjusted your own plans. Here’s what to think about for your dog.

Why smoke is a problem for dogs specifically

The culprit is PM2.5 — fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter. According to Cornell University’s Riney Canine Health Center, the risks to pets from poor air quality are similar to those for humans, primarily affecting the heart and lungs. But dogs face some additional vulnerabilities:

They breathe faster than we do, meaning they take in more air — and more pollutants — per minute. They’re closer to the ground, where particulate matter tends to settle. And their sense of smell is exponentially more sensitive than ours, which means smoky air that’s merely unpleasant to us may be genuinely overwhelming to them.

A 2026 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association notes that PM2.5 exposure is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions in both humans and animals — and that research on the long-term effects on dogs is only beginning to catch up. Colorado State University researchers are currently examining whether repeated smoke exposure shortens dogs’ lives and increases their risk of cancer and heart disease.

Who’s most at risk

All dogs are affected by poor air quality. Some are more vulnerable:

Brachycephalic breeds — flat-faced dogs like Pugs (like our regular clients Bear and Apollo), Bulldogs )like Whiskey and Mac), Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, Boxers (like Randy) Shih Tzus — already have compromised airways and are at significantly higher risk during smoke events. If you have a flat-faced dog, today is not a walk day.

Dogs with pre-existing heart or lung conditions — asthma, bronchitis, congestive heart failure, or any cardiovascular disease. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends these dogs be watched especially closely during all periods of poor air quality.

Puppies and senior dogs — both ends of the age spectrum are more susceptible to airborne toxins.

Oso is a Pomeranian. Small dog, dense coat, but not brachycephalic — his walks are shortened today, not cancelled. Thumper is a shepherd mix with healthy lungs. Same protocol. We’re doing what needs doing and coming back inside.

Don’t forget your cats

If you have an indoor/outdoor cat, today is a day to bring them in and keep them in. Cats are at least as vulnerable to PM2.5 as dogs — they breathe faster relative to their size, they groom themselves constantly (which means anything that settles in their fur gets ingested), and outdoor cats have no way to limit their own exposure.

This is not a day for the cat door to be propped open. Bring them in, keep the windows closed, and let them be annoyed at you about it. They’ll survive the indignity.

What to do today

Shorten walks significantly. Bathroom breaks, not patrol routes. Get out, handle business, come back in. The EPA’s AirNow tool lets you check current conditions by zip code — check it before you go out.

Keep windows closed. Run the AC on recirculate rather than pulling outside air in. Same advice the doctors are giving for humans applies inside your home.

Consider an air purifier. If you have one, run it. If you don’t and your dog has respiratory issues, it’s worth considering. HEPA filtration handles PM2.5.

Wipe them down when they come back in. Smoke particles settle in fur, especially around the face and eyes. A quick wipe with a damp cloth around the muzzle, eyes, and paws removes surface particulate before they groom themselves and ingest it.

Don’t vacuum. Vacuuming stirs up settled particulate and temporarily worsens indoor air quality. Hold off until the alert lifts.

Watch for symptoms. Per Cornell: coughing, gagging, red or watery eyes, nasal discharge, labored breathing, fatigue, reluctance to eat. Any of these, call your vet.

What we’re doing

We’re still walking today — your dog still needs to go out — but we’re keeping it short, skipping the park routes, and staying out of the heat. The combination of Code Red air quality and July temperatures is a double load on a dog’s system. We’re not adding exercise intensity on top of that.

We’re also masking up. KN95s, same as the early Covid days. It feels a little like that out there right now — hazy, a little surreal, the air doing something it shouldn’t. The masks protect us, which means we’re more comfortable staying out long enough to actually take care of your dog properly. If you’re heading out yourself for any reason today, mask up. The Maryland Department of the Environment and public health officials are recommending it for everyone, not just sensitive groups.

If your dog has a respiratory condition and you want to discuss skipping today’s walk entirely, reach out. We’d rather err on the side of caution and make it up later in the week when the air clears.

Check AirNow for updates. The Maryland Department of the Environment posts current alerts and forecasts. Conditions are expected to improve over the weekend.

Stay inside if you can. Keep the dogs inside with you.