The scary thing about natural disasters is that they can happen anytime, and you have no control over when and where they occur. However, you can control how you prepare for storms, earthquakes, wildfires, and other unfortunate events. If you have fur babies, you must also know how to keep them safe during natural disasters.
Planning for Natural Disasters With Pets
You likely have a supply kit for yourself and your family members in the event a disaster strikes. Perhaps you have important papers in an easy-to-grab file box, jugs of water, flashlights, spare batteries, power banks, and a portable radio.
You know where the first-aid kit is, and you have a bag at the ready where you corral your medications. Additionally, you and other members of the household have a disaster preparedness plan that helps you act quickly in case of an emergency.
But what about your furry family members? Your pets require a few special considerations and supplies when you're preparing for disasters.
Make an Emergency Go-Bag for Your Pet
Your pet’s emergency kit should contain enough food and water for several days. Keep food in a waterproof, airtight container. Use a collapsible bowl to make drinking water on the go easier, or try a water bottle and bowl combo.
Other items to include in your pet’s disaster kit are:
- Medications you give your pets (keep a spare supply in a waterproof container)
- Pet first-aid kit
- Backup leash and harness, and an extra set of ID tags
- Important paperwork, including vaccination records, registration, microchip information
- Kennel or carrier
- Grooming supplies
- Potty supplies, like poop bags, litter scoop, litter box, extra litter, potty pads, etc.
- Stain and odor remover
- Photo of you with your pet (in case you get separated, you can use the photo to help identify your pet and verify ownership)
- Comfort items (your pet’s favorite toy, some treats, their bed, and something with your scent, like an old T-shirt)
Be Prepared Before a Disaster Strikes
There are several things you can do before a natural disaster looms to make things a little easier for you and your pet. In addition to packing a go-bag, have a solid plan in place.
Discuss with your family where you’ll go if you need to evacuate. Choose several locations in different directions so you’re covered no matter which way you need to go. For example, if a hurricane is moving in from the east, you would evacuate to the west. If the storm’s moving from the east but on a northeast trajectory, you might decide to go somewhere to the southwest.
Settle on locations that welcome pets so you know your top spots for accommodations, whether it’s staying with friends or family or a list of hotel options. Make sure the cities you choose have a veterinarian hospital or animal clinic.
Since you’ll be traveling with your pet, it's also wise to get your pet comfortable with car rides and their carrier. These steps make a big difference when you need to leave quickly to help limit your pet’s stress (and yours, too).
Keeping Pets Safe During a Storm
What happens if you don’t evacuate before a disaster? Perhaps there’s no time, or officials recommend a shelter-in-place (common during sudden storms, like a tornado or earthquake).
It’s wise to know about basic pet safety during hurricanes and other occurrences. Whenever possible, the wisest course of action is to get out of harm’s way and leave town. However, if that’s not possible, bring all pets indoors, and secure your home before the storm arrives.
Cover windows and glass doors, and secure loose objects outside that could turn into missiles when winds pick up. Provide your pet with a comfortable place to retreat and keep calm. Everyone should stay in an interior room on the lowest level of the house, away from windows, skylights, etc.
You want to put as much distance between you and the outside as you can. Keep your emergency kit and your pet’s kit with you. Watch your pet carefully for any signs of stress and provide them with distractions like a licking mat, interactive toys, and chews.
Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns instead of candles or kerosene alternatives to avoid fire hazards. If flooding is an issue, turn off the electricity at the main breaker. If a storm strikes your home and your house starts to shake or fall apart, move into a small closet, under stairs, or if there’s nowhere else, into the bathtub. Cover up with a mattress or soft cushions to shield yourself from flying debris.
Pet Safety During Wildfires
The recent wildfires in California have many people thinking more about what to do in case of such a horrible event. If your home isn’t in an evacuation zone, you’re still susceptible to smoke and ash outside from distant fires.
It’s imperative to keep pets indoors. Put down potty pads for your dogs so they don’t have to go outside. If your pet does need to go outside for some reason, wipe them down with pet wipes or baby wipes as soon as they come inside so they don’t lick soot and debris off of themselves.
Watch your pet carefully for signs of smoke inhalation. Symptoms include coughing, respiratory difficulties, open-mouth breathing, increased tiredness, weakness, uneven gait, decreased appetite, reduced thirst, and rapid breathing. Other signs are red, watery eyes, nasal discharge, and mouth and throat inflammation.
Practice drills with your household frequently to prepare for a fire in the home. Make sure to have a plan in place that includes your pets. Place decals in your windows alerting emergency responders to the presence of pets in the home.
What Happens With Pets After an Emergency?
Pets respond to traumatic events in different ways. Your pup or cat may or may not be stressed during a disaster or an evacuation. Watch them carefully for any signs of problems or behavioral changes. Contact your vet with any concerns.
Your pet could get nervous and run, or in the chaos, you could become separated. Always make sure to keep your pet’s ID tags current and their microchip registration information updated. If your pet is not microchipped, make this a top priority, it could be the key to reuniting with your pet.
It’s also a good idea to know basic pet first-aid and learn CPR for dogs and cats in case your pet is injured during an emergency. Have numbers for animal poison control, your vet, and local emergency animal hospitals in an accessible location. These numbers should be on your phone but also have hard copies in your emergency kit in case your phone dies.
Protecting Pets During Natural Disasters
The best thing you can do to keep your pets safe during natural disasters is to be prepared. Have a plan in place for different types of emergencies, including one for evacuating and one for sheltering in place.
Pack an emergency kit for your pet and review basics, like crate training, riding in the car, and self-soothing techniques with your pets to help them remain calm if and when a disaster strikes. For more helpful tips, check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog. But first things first, go ahead and take care of updating your pet’s tags and chip.