Haze and Your Dog in Singapore: How to Keep Them Safe

By BEANS Team · Published 2026-10-13

When the haze rolls in over Singapore, our dogs breathe it too. The good news is that most of what helps is simple: shorter walks, shut windows, a wipe-down when you get home, and watching for the few signs that mean a vet call.

How does haze affect dogs?

Haze is a cloud of tiny particles, and dogs breathe them in just like we do. The EPA says fine particles of 2.5 micrometres or smaller (PM2.5) pose the greatest health risk, and some particles can get deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream.

That EPA information is written for people, so we are applying the same logic to dogs, whose airways are also built to pull air in. Vets who write about smoke and poor air quality give dogs the same basic advice: stay indoors, keep walks short, and watch breathing closely.

Want to watch the whole haze plan in 88 seconds?

We made a short film that explains the risk first, then walks through what to do. Watch it with sound on.

Which dogs are most at risk in the haze?

Flat-faced breeds, puppies, senior dogs and dogs with heart or lung conditions need the most care. They are the dogs most likely to struggle when the air is poor.

Here is what the vet sources we checked say:

• Flat-faced breeds like pugs, bulldogs and Shih Tzus. Ethos Veterinary Health says they have short skulls, small nostrils, extra throat tissue, a long soft palate and a narrowed trachea, which strain breathing. Add an irritant and it can cause severe distress.
• Puppies, senior and pregnant dogs. A veterinarian quoted by KDVR lists them as higher risk.
• Dogs with heart or lung problems. The AVMA, via Oregon State University Extension, says animals with cardiovascular or respiratory disease are especially at risk from smoke.

If your dog is in any of these groups, be stricter than the advice below, and ask your vet for a plan before the next haze.

What are the signs my dog is affected by haze?

Watch for watery eyes, a runny nose, coughing or gagging, faster or noisier breathing, tiredness and going off food or water. These are the signs the AVMA lists for animals exposed to smoke, and it says to talk to your vet if any appear.

Pets can't tell you they feel unwell, so small changes count. If your dog is quieter than usual, panting more, or refusing a meal, treat it as a signal.

Emergency signs: Animal Trust says to seek immediate vet care if a dog is breathing with obvious effort, or if the gums or tongue look pale, blue or grey. Call your vet straight away.

How do I protect my dog on hazy days?

Keep your dog indoors with the windows shut, limit outdoor trips to short toilet breaks, and skip hard exercise. That is the core advice from the AVMA via Oregon State, and it works for Singapore homes.

How do I know when it's too hazy to walk my dog?

Check the PSI on haze.gov.sg before you go out. The page lists PSI 101 to 200 as Unhealthy, 201 to 300 as Very Unhealthy and 301 and above as Hazardous.

haze.gov.sg's outdoor advice is written for people, and it moves from reducing strenuous outdoor activity to avoiding it as levels climb. There is no official dog advisory, so this is our rule of thumb: treat your dog as a vulnerable person. When it is Unhealthy or worse, keep walks to a brief toilet trip, and avoid hard exercise.

Always check the current reading on the day. Haze can improve or worsen within hours.

What should I do when we get home?

Wipe your dog's paws and coat with a damp cloth. Agriculture Victoria's advice on pets exposed to smoke and ash is to clean the feet of pets that have been outside in it, because ash on the coat or feet may be swallowed through grooming.

A simple routine: a quick wipe of paws, belly and chest at the door, a brush through the coat, and a fresh bowl of water. If your dog has skin problems and licks a lot, be extra thorough.

How do I keep my dog busy indoors?

Give their brain a job. Sniffing games and short training sessions keep a dog occupied when walks are cut short. The AKC says indoor activities can stimulate dogs mentally and physically, and suggests games such as hiding treats under upside-down containers or hiding treats in a snuffle mat.

Try this:

• Hide tiny treats around one room and say "find it"
• Fold treats into a towel or snuffle mat
• Practise a few short training sessions a day, such as sit, stay and come

For a full set of ideas, read 5 indoor games to tire your dog out.

Should I change my dog's food during the haze?

Probably not. With less exercise, many dogs need fewer calories, so keep treats small, and this is not the week to try a new food. PDSA says a sudden change in food is likely to upset the stomach.

WSAVA's guidance is that treats should make up less than 10 percent of a dog's daily calorie intake, and that they should be small enough to reduce choking risk. A lot of indoor games run on treats, so count them as part of the day's food.

Rabbit Freeze-Dried Pet Treats (SGD $15.90): Pure rabbit. Nothing else. A classic novel protein, lean and gently digestible.

Single-ingredient treats keep it simple: nothing added, nothing hidden. Our freeze-dried treats break into tiny pieces that suit hiding games. Rabbit is a lean, easily digestible single protein. Break it up and count it into the day's food.

What about cats and other pets at home?

Cats need the same care. The KDVR vets list cats, including indoor cats, among the higher-risk animals, and one notes that cats can have feline asthma that smoky conditions can trigger even indoors. Signs to watch for include laboured breathing, runny eyes and noses, and coughing low to the ground with the head and neck stretched out.

The AVMA also says birds are particularly susceptible and should not be outside when smoke or particulate matter is present. Keep all your pets indoors, keep windows shut, and call your vet if you see breathing changes.

Bottom line

For haze in Singapore: check PSI, keep walks to toilet trips, shut the windows, wipe paws and coat, watch the breathing, and use sniffing games to burn energy indoors. Call your vet straight away if your dog is breathing with obvious effort or has pale, blue or grey gums.

Next, read our guide to tiring your dog out indoors, and explore treats for sensitive stomachs if your dog is fussy about changes.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet has ongoing symptoms, see your vet.