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Mild to moderate exposure to nicotine can occur when dogs or cats nibble on a nicotine patch, chew on nicotine gum, consume a cigarette or eat a small amount of loose tobacco left lying around the house. Unless they eat an entire pack of cigarettes, a whole bag of tobacco, a box of patches or pack of gum, the nicotine consumption is relatively low, though not completely harmless. E-cigarettes contain liquid nicotine that is similarly absorbed through the digestive system of pets, but can enter the body by other means as well. Liquid nicotine can be absorbed through the mucous membranes and skin of pets. These trans-mucosal routes of absorption bypass the liver so more nicotine reaches the bloodstream faster. That means the risk of nicotine poisoning is greater with e-cigarettes. For more complete information, you can read the following article on our resources page in the pet health section: “E-Cigarettes and Pet Safety”
