--- title: Wildfire Smoke and Dogs | Happy Paws Kennels url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/wildfire-smoke-and-dogs/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - Wildfire smoke and dogs # Wildfire smoke and dogs: what to watch on bad air days On smoky days keep your dog indoors as much as you can, skip hard exercise, and call your vet if you see coughing, gagging or labored breathing. At Happy Paws each dog can choose the air-conditioned inside room of its run instead of the outside area. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) Smoke from Northern California fires drifts into Solano and Yolo counties in many summers and falls. Dogs breathe the same air we do, and the guidance for them is close to the guidance for people. ## What veterinarians advise The American Veterinary Medical Association advises keeping pets indoors as much as possible when smoke is in the air, with windows closed, and limiting outdoor time to short bathroom breaks while alerts are active. Hard exercise outside is best skipped. A portable air cleaner can keep one room cleaner than the rest of the house, a tip the CDC shares for people as well. Check the local air quality reading from the official air quality agency for your area on the day, rather than judging by whether the sky looks clear. ## Signs of trouble The AVMA lists coughing or gagging, trouble breathing including open-mouth breathing, watery or irritated eyes, nasal discharge, a faster breathing rate, lethargy, and reduced appetite or thirst as signs of smoke irritation. Pets with heart or lung disease, older pets and young pets are at higher risk, and flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs and Pugs have narrower airways. If you see these signs, call your veterinarian. ## How runs work on smoky days Each dog at Happy Paws has an indoor/outdoor run with a doggie door and picks its own spot. The inside room is air conditioned in summer and heated in winter, so on a hazy day a dog that prefers to stay in is able to. If your dog has a lung, heart or breathing condition, or is a flat-faced breed, say so on the pet information form and in the medical release, which names health conditions and what to do if you cannot be reached. Medications are given at no extra charge. ## If you are evacuating Smoke often arrives with an evacuation order. See [emergency boarding during fires and floods](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/wildfire-evacuation/) and the [pet evacuation plan](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/pet-emergency-plan/). Keep rabies, distemper/parvo and Bordetella records handy in your phone, since current records are required for every stay. Canine influenza is recommended but not required. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [AVMA, wildfire smoke endangers animal health](https://www.avma.org/news/wildfire-smoke-endangers-animal-health) - [CDC, safety guidelines for wildfires and wildfire smoke](https://www.cdc.gov/wildfires/safety/how-to-safely-stay-safe-during-a-wildfire.html) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Evacuating? Emergency boarding during fires and floods](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/wildfire-evacuation/) - [A pet evacuation plan for Solano & Yolo families](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/pet-emergency-plan/) - [How hot is too hot for dogs? Dixon summer numbers](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/) - [Dog boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/) - [Vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) ## Read next - [Boarding a dog with arthritis or stiff joints](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-a-dog-with-arthritis/) - [Boarding a dog with food allergies or a prescription diet](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-a-dog-with-food-allergies/) - [Puppy socialization before the first boarding stay](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/puppy-socialization-before-the-first-stay/) - [Ticks on dogs in Solano and Yolo counties](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/ticks-on-dogs-in-solano-and-yolo/) - [Hot cars and dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-cars-and-dogs-at-drop-off/) - [How to weigh your dog at home](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-to-weigh-your-dog/) - [Loose stool after boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-diarrhea-after-boarding/) - [Your dog's first day of day care](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/first-day-of-dog-day-care/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### Should my dog go outside on a smoky day? Short bathroom breaks only, per the AVMA, and no hard exercise. Keep windows closed and, if you can, run a portable air cleaner in one room. ### What are signs smoke is affecting a dog? Coughing, gagging, labored or open-mouth breathing, watery eyes, nasal discharge and lethargy. Call your vet. ### Which dogs are at higher risk? Dogs with heart or lung disease, older and young dogs, and flat-faced breeds. ### Can my dog stay inside at Happy Paws? Each run has an air-conditioned and heated inside room, and the dog chooses between it and the outside area.