By now many people know what they'd do for themselves to prepare for this time of year. You have batteries and flashlights, a radio. You get bottled water and non-perishable food items. You keep your gas tank full in case you need to leave. Windows are boarded and patio furniture is brought inside. Many of us have figured out what's practical and what isn't and every year we "get ready."
But what about your pets? To most people our pets are more than just a dog that we tie up out back. They are family. And they need to be prepared for hurricane season as well. You can go to Google and find all types of lists and tips for getting your pets ready. I decided to share my tips, as a pet owner and life-time resident of the gulf coast, as well as an animal health professional.
1) Food. This sounds obvious right? But think about it. How many of you get down to the last few bites of food before heading out to the pet store to get more? How many of you have fed your pets treats or wheat bread for dinner because you were completely out of food and the pet store was closed? Don't do that during hurricane season. Just like waiting for the last minute to get batteries, bottled water, etc will lead you to empty shelves and time spent driving all over your city in search of supplies, the same WILL happen with your pet's food. This is especially true if your dog is on a prescription diet from your vet or eats a food that can only be found at certain stores. Keep a smaller bag of food ready at all times so that if you have to evacuate or if you end up stuck at home for a few days, Fido and FiFi have food. Because let's face it, the humans will eat first and some of you won't be sharing your rations with the dogs.
2) Water. Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink. If you are evacuating, get some gallon containers and fill them up with tap water. That way your pets can drink the water they are used to if you leave. Some times the different additives in the water in various cities may upset your pet's stomach and quite frankly, doggy diarrhea is something you don't want to deal with while running from a storm.
3) Medication. Another obvious one, but remember, during this time, some things may be in high demand and you don't want to not have anything your pet needs. You should stock up on flea and heartworm prevention for each pet as well as any other daily medications-- meds for pain, thyroid conditions, anxiety, seizures, etc. If you have a pet that gets particularly nervous/anxious during storms, call your vet now to discuss getting something that can help calm them down during a hurricane or during your evacuation process. Bottom line, God forbid a major hurricane comes through your town, you may be away from home for a while and you want to make sure your pet has any medications needed to maintain a healthy life.
4) Identification and restraint. Every pet needs a collar with a tag that at least has your phone number. Check tags and collars often for wear and tear so that you know they will not break when you need them. Make sure your dog is leashed in the car ride or at a shelter. Some shelters will allow pets but for their safety and the safety of others they will need to be leashed (and possibly crated). Consider adding a harness for extra control and safety, as some pets can slip out of their collars easily.
For cats (and small pets like ferrets, hedgehogs, etc) have a carrier available. Make sure your information is located on this carrier. If you are evacuating and know where you are going, add that information as well. Also, I have found that for my cat, it is easy to get him into this carrier because I leave it out all the time, so it doesn't just come out for trips to the vet, which could be scary. That way if I need to get him into it quickly there isn't a struggle.
If your pet is not microchipped, this would also be a great time to think about doing so. You'll also want to make sure that any changes in your contact info have been updated with the microchip company.
5) Vet records. Make sure you have a copy of any vaccines your cats and dogs have received, as well as heart worm tests, fecal exam and feline combo test results. Put them in a ziploc back and keep them with other important paperwork.
But what about your pets? To most people our pets are more than just a dog that we tie up out back. They are family. And they need to be prepared for hurricane season as well. You can go to Google and find all types of lists and tips for getting your pets ready. I decided to share my tips, as a pet owner and life-time resident of the gulf coast, as well as an animal health professional.
1) Food. This sounds obvious right? But think about it. How many of you get down to the last few bites of food before heading out to the pet store to get more? How many of you have fed your pets treats or wheat bread for dinner because you were completely out of food and the pet store was closed? Don't do that during hurricane season. Just like waiting for the last minute to get batteries, bottled water, etc will lead you to empty shelves and time spent driving all over your city in search of supplies, the same WILL happen with your pet's food. This is especially true if your dog is on a prescription diet from your vet or eats a food that can only be found at certain stores. Keep a smaller bag of food ready at all times so that if you have to evacuate or if you end up stuck at home for a few days, Fido and FiFi have food. Because let's face it, the humans will eat first and some of you won't be sharing your rations with the dogs.
2) Water. Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink. If you are evacuating, get some gallon containers and fill them up with tap water. That way your pets can drink the water they are used to if you leave. Some times the different additives in the water in various cities may upset your pet's stomach and quite frankly, doggy diarrhea is something you don't want to deal with while running from a storm.
3) Medication. Another obvious one, but remember, during this time, some things may be in high demand and you don't want to not have anything your pet needs. You should stock up on flea and heartworm prevention for each pet as well as any other daily medications-- meds for pain, thyroid conditions, anxiety, seizures, etc. If you have a pet that gets particularly nervous/anxious during storms, call your vet now to discuss getting something that can help calm them down during a hurricane or during your evacuation process. Bottom line, God forbid a major hurricane comes through your town, you may be away from home for a while and you want to make sure your pet has any medications needed to maintain a healthy life.
4) Identification and restraint. Every pet needs a collar with a tag that at least has your phone number. Check tags and collars often for wear and tear so that you know they will not break when you need them. Make sure your dog is leashed in the car ride or at a shelter. Some shelters will allow pets but for their safety and the safety of others they will need to be leashed (and possibly crated). Consider adding a harness for extra control and safety, as some pets can slip out of their collars easily.
For cats (and small pets like ferrets, hedgehogs, etc) have a carrier available. Make sure your information is located on this carrier. If you are evacuating and know where you are going, add that information as well. Also, I have found that for my cat, it is easy to get him into this carrier because I leave it out all the time, so it doesn't just come out for trips to the vet, which could be scary. That way if I need to get him into it quickly there isn't a struggle.
If your pet is not microchipped, this would also be a great time to think about doing so. You'll also want to make sure that any changes in your contact info have been updated with the microchip company.
5) Vet records. Make sure you have a copy of any vaccines your cats and dogs have received, as well as heart worm tests, fecal exam and feline combo test results. Put them in a ziploc back and keep them with other important paperwork.
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