Protect Your Pup During Hurricanes With These Tips For Dog Owner Preparedness
As climate change causes more frequent and severe natural disasters, it’s important to have a plan in place to protect yourself, your family, and, of course, your dog.
This is especially crucial if you live in an area prone to hurricanes, as these storms can bring about unique health concerns for canines.
Here’s how to best prepare your pet and keep them safe.
Prep An Emergency Plan
Thinking ahead is key, so don’t wait until you receive a weather alert to create your pup’s emergency plan.
You should consider all possible scenarios, like whether your community will have to evacuate or not. In the event of an evacuation, nail down who will become your dog’s designated caregiver if you cannot reach them. You can also put a rescue alert sticker on your front door to let first responders know there are pets in your house that need evacuation.
In any natural disaster, a hurricane or otherwise, it’s also important to have an emergency kit prepped and ready to go for your dog, regardless of whether you evacuate or hunker down.
This kit should have all of your pet’s necessities, including at least three days’ worth of dog food and water, a first aid kit, any medications and prescriptions, a leash, and a collar with identification tags. For clean-up purposes, it’s best to include paper towels, garbage bags, and pee pads.
Additionally, you should have your pet’s medical records handy, your regular veterinarian’s contact information, and the information for your closest emergency vet clinic.
Anne – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual dog
Lastly, in the event you need to evacuate, have a list of pet-friendly accommodations or shelters ready. And if you are ordered to evacuate, don’t leave your dog behind.
It is possible for you and your dog to become separated amidst the chaos of a natural disaster. In these instances, microchips are the most likely way you’ll be reunited with your pet.
You should head to your local veterinarian, who can easily place a microchip under your dog’s skin. The chip will have its own unique identification number that is tied to your contact information.
Just be sure that your contact information stays up-to-date. Your dog should also wear a collar and ID tags at all times.
Preventive Care
Hurricanes can cause heavy rains and flooding, which may increase the risk of leptospirosis and heartworm disease. Kennel cough is also a risk if your dog ends up staying at a boarding kennel or shelter following a storm.
So, keep your pup healthy by making sure they’re up to date on vaccinations and parasite prevention medications. Your regular veterinarian can help you come up with the ideal preventive care routine based on your local area and the common illnesses dogs face during or after hurricanes.
As for food and water, keep both in sealed, watertight containers to avoid any contamination by flood waters, which often have parasites, mold, and bacteria. As a good rule of thumb, never let your dog drink from a water source that you wouldn’t drink from.
Check Your Dog Following The Disaster
Once the hurricane is over, evaluate your pet for any signs of injury or distress, especially if you become separated from your pup. The main things to look out for include visible wounds, limping or other indications of pain, shifts in appetite, changes in energy, behavioral alterations, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you have any concerns at all, it’s best to seek help from your veterinarian for a checkup. Some vets are even part of disaster relief teams, meaning they’ll be on standby to provide any medical assistance for affected pets.
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