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 will run smoothly, we know better. 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 get started!
The first step to evaluating how prepared you are for the worst is to look at the plans you already have in place for your family, and include any animals in your care. 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 take a better look into how you can incorporate your pets, check out this link.
Now that you have a plan set, decide what your pet/ animal would need in their own survival kit. What kind of food does your animal consume? How much would they need to survive for a few days? Consider these questions when packing their food in airtight, waterproof containers. Set aside enough water for them for several days. Clean drinking water is absolutely essential! Set aside some of their favorite treats/ goodies to calm and comfort them during what will be a very stressful situation.
Do you have separate first aid materials that are pet specific? Although it may seem like overkill, this separate kit allows you to preserve materials for as long as possible. Some good items to pack away in the kit 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 – bandages won’t work on your dog if they get a cut. And you can’t leave it exposed either. 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.
Lastly, set aside an extra collar, a leash, ID tags, and pet registration and vaccination records. There are other documents that you could make copies of, so make sure you have all the documents you need.
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, call Cloud Peak at (307) 347-2781, or go to our homepage!
