The city making cats and dogs sick from toxic air

One hazy day in November, when New Delhi resident Bella returned home from her job in the corporate sector, she was shocked to find her pet dog, Anna, wheezing and struggling to breathe.

Bella was unsure of the reason for her pet’s sudden sickness, but that day, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) had hit a staggering 800, far above the 100-150 range deemed dangerous for children and the elderly.

Alarmed, she rushed Anna to a vet. The diagnosis was unsettling – Anna’s health was deteriorating due to the city’s soaring pollution levels.

The vet advised Bella to stop taking Anna on walks and to invest in an air purifier. However, the 24-year-old trans woman couldn’t afford such a luxury. “I stopped taking her out,” she said.

Days later, Delhi’s AQI crossed the 1,000 mark, making it the world’s most polluted city. The concentration of PM2.5, tiny particles emitted from a range of sources like vehicles, industry and waste burning, are known to cause severe lung and heart issues.

The reading was 130.9 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s recommended levels and led to schools and construction activities being shut down due to the toxic air.

A study by a Chicago-based Energy Policy Institute conducted this year revealed pollution was cutting the lifespan of Delhi’s residents by nearly 12 years.

Doctors have already said they have seen the harmful effects on the city’s residents and they are seeing more people with breathing problems, coughs, colds and irritated eyes.

“People of all ages are affected by this. It is time for us to wear masks and go out only when needed,” said Nikhil Modi, a doctor at Apollo hospital in Delhi during last year’s winter smog season, where lower temperatures from October to January contribute to a blanket of smog covering India’s northern states.

The deteriorating air quality triggered public outrage, leading the government to impose stringent measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) Stage IV.

Animals among the silent victims

Witnessing the deteriorating air quality, animal advocacy group, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) issued a warning that animals were equally affected. Pets are a beloved part of many people’s lives in the city, which hosts an annual pet festival each year.

“The effect of air pollution on animals is similar to that on humans,” explained Dr Mini Aravindan, Director of Veterinary Services at Peta India.

“It can cause lung problems and heart issues, and severe pollution can lead to birth defects, reproductive failure, lethargy, and worsening of pre-existing conditions.”

The group also erected a billboard in the city featuring a masked woman alongside a pug dog struggling to breathe with a tagline that reads. “Don’t buy breathing-impaired breeds”.

The campaign, according to Dr Aravindan, draws attention to the plight of flat-faced dogs like pugs that struggle to breathe in polluted air.

While Bella’s Indian Spitz breed does not belong to the flat-faced category, technically known as “brachycephalic” – she was still concerned about her pet’s ability to breathe.

“She is my everything, I can’t imagine living without her as she is my only support system,” said Bella, adding that her dog was critical for helping overcome mental health issues she had suffered due to loneliness.

Anna’s restricted movement added to her distress. “She punches the door, barking for almost an hour every day to go out, but I can’t risk her falling ill. I can’t afford frequent vet visits, so we make do by playing indoors,” Bella said, her voice heavy with emotion.

Not just cats and dogs affected

Veterinary experts say the animals in the city are being admitted to the hospital with symptoms such as nausea, repeated vomiting, redness in their eyes and slow responses.

“My dogs have been infected with eye infections and lethargy that has set in,” said trainee lawyer, Sukriti Chauhan, who has been surrounded by dogs since she was born.

Chauhan, 40, who has three dogs, says she is worried about her pets she regards as family members.

“Regular doctor visits are always on the chart and infections that they get are being treated,” she said.

The situation isn’t limited to dogs and cats. Delhi’s pigeon keepers, too, are witnessing alarming trends.

Imran Ahmad, who has kept pigeons for years, said many of his birds are falling ill.

“I now keep them in their coop instead of letting them fly. They have eye problems; their eyelids stick together, making them prone to injuries,” he said.

Veterinary experts confirm these observations.

“Prolonged exposure to pollution can cause inflammation, ruptured blood vessels, and even lung failure,” explained Raj Kumar, a veterinary physician at a charity hospital for birds in Gurgaon.

“Birds are more vulnerable to airborne particles due to their higher breathing rate and outdoor exposure. Ultra-fine particles, particularly those smaller than 2.5 microns, can lodge deep in their lungs,” he added.

The rising pollution levels are worsening the situation. “Pigeons and doves are especially vulnerable, as their vision becomes impaired when their eyelids stick together, making them prone to accidents and injuries,” Kumar explained.

Although Delhi’s AQI has since dropped to moderate levels, the scars of November linger. For pet owners like Bella, the fear remains. “I cannot afford to lose Anna, so I’m taking no risks until the air improves drastically,” she said, determined to protect her beloved companion.