What does it mean to have your pet prepared? You can never be too sure about what the future holds, and as much as we hope that everything goes as planned, we know we cannot expect anything to be perfect. With that in mind, it’s best to prepare for the worst. There’s a bit that goes into this preparation, but it will be worth it in the future. Let’s go over a few of the basics when it comes to pet preparedness to get you started!
If you are currently experiencing any sort of animal-related emergency, we are available; call us at (307) 347-2781. Do not hesitate because it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Make a Plan
The first step to evaluating how prepared you are for any circumstance is to either create or revise any emergency plans you have already in place. Often, families will determine their plan of action first and then add their pet’s emergency plan. By basing your pet’s plan on your family’s emergency plan, you can be more confident in your pet’s health and safety in the worst case scenario. To gain a better understanding of how you can incorporate your pets, check out this link.
General Essentials
Now that you have a plan set, the next step is to make a survival kit tailored to your animal’s needs. Ask yourself questions like, what kind of food does your animal consume? How much would they need to survive for a few days? Does your animal take any medications? What brings your pet comfort? There are a plethora of questions you should ask yourself to ensure your animal’s kit is beneficial to them.
While packing up and putting away surplus food for your animal, make sure their food is stored in air-tight, waterproof containers that will protect it for an emergency. Your animal will need enough clean drinking water for several days, so ensure that you have enough gallons to keep them hydrated for an undetermined amount of time. In addition to these essentials, your animal needs some emotional support, which could include their favorite toy or treats; they will lower stress for your pet!
Medical Essentials
In your family’s emergency plan and kits, do you have first aid materials available? Well, animals are no different, and they need their own first aid kit in their emergency plan. It may seem like overkill, having a separate first aid kit will ensure your pet has the tools they need to stay safe and healthy. Some good items to pack away are:
- Benadryl – this is an antihistamine that will help with any itchiness, allergies, and so on. Talk to a trusted vet about the proper dosage and if Benadryl is a viable option for your needs.
- Bandages – sticky bandages won’t work on your dog if they get a cut, and leaving a wound exposed is not an option. Having a few wrap-around bandages would be best to keep the wound clean. The self-adhering bandages would be best if you do not want to have to tape the bandage down. Look for non-stick ones that won’t stick to their fur/ hair.
- Gauze – under the bandages, you’ll want something between the bandage and the wound. It’s better to have many layers instead of fewer. Create strong barriers between the elements and the wound.
- Adhesive Medical Tape – this is made specifically to keep wound care barriers in place.
- Cleaner – there are lots of options to clean cuts and wounds. Again, it’s optimal to have different types of cleaner, so that you are ready for any emergency situation. Hydrogen peroxide is always a safe choice for cleaning. Antibiotic ointments or sprays are also a good staple to have in the kit.
- Poison Counters – items such as milk of magnesia and charcoal, can be used to absorb and counteract poisons. Visit the vet to talk about dosage and anything else they recommend that you use.
- Towel – definitely set aside a towel for your animal so you don’t have to share the ones you use.
If there’s anything else you regularly need for your pet, make preparations for you to continue filling that need.
Extra Supplies
Lastly, set aside an extra collar, a leash, ID tags, and pet registration/ vaccination records. There are other documents that you could make copies of, so make sure you have all the documents you need in case of an emergency. The goal of these identification records is to keep the animal safe, even if you are not with them.
Preparing your pet for any situation may seem unnecessary, but it would be better to have all these items collected and never use them than to need them and not have them. If you have any questions or concerns, our Cloud Peak staff would love to give you answers. We also have more information about animal care and pet preparedness on our website, so please feel free to check out that information. Our number is (307) 347-2781, and we are looking forward to helping!
