It is crucial that any and every family unit is prepared for the worst, including the pets. Pet preparedness becomes an essential tool for any family, but what does pet preparedness even mean? Obviously, our furry companions cannot verbalize their emergency plans, so it is our responsibility as pet owners to determine that plan on their behalf. No matter the emergency, you need to ensure that your furry friends have general essentials, access to temporary medical care, and extra identifiers. There is quite a bit of planning and preparation that goes into pet preparedness, so let’s go over a few fundamentals that will keep your pet safe and healthy in the worst circumstances!
If you have any concerns about your furry companion’s preparedness for an emergency, contact our Cloud Peak Vet Clinic. With years of specialized experience and education, our crew is more than qualified to give you the advice and expertise you need in case of an emergency. We are available for emergency calls, so do not hesitate to reach out at (307) 347-2781 for our veterinary professionals.
Make a Plan
The first step to evaluating how prepared you are for any emergency circumstance is to either create or revise any emergency plans you and your family have already in place. Often, families will determine their plan of action first and then add their pet’s emergency plan, making it easier for pet owners to be prepared. By basing your pet’s plan on your own emergency plan, you can feel 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.
The Essentials
Now that you have a plan of action 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? What part of your pet’s routine can you preserve in an emergency? There are a plethora of questions you should ask yourself to ensure your animal’s kit is beneficial to them, so focus on the questions and answers that will better prepare you in an emergency.
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 in any situation. Your animal will need enough clean drinking water for several days, so ensure that you have enough gallons to keep them (and yourself) 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. The more you plan for now, the less stress your pet will feel!
Medical Prep
In your family’s emergency plan and kits, do you have first aid materials available? Well, pets are very similar and need a specific first aid kit in their emergency plan. While 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 important 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 – because of the hair, sticky bandages won’t work on your dog if they get a cut, and leaving an open wound exposed is not an option. Having a few wrap-around bandages would be a great solution 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 rip any fur/hair when the bandage is removed.
- Gauze – under the bandages, you’ll want a clean, sanitary barrier between the bandage and the wound. It’s better to have many layers as it limits the chance of infection.
- Adhesive Medical Tape – this is made specifically to keep wound care barriers in place, especially non-adhesive ones.
- Disinfectant – 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 discuss dosage and anything else they recommend that you use.
- Towel – set aside a clean 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, like prescriptions, make preparations for you to continue filling that need.
Protect your pet in any emergency with proper pet preparedness
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 in an emergency, even if you are not with them.
Prepare Today!
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. As we cannot rely on our furry companions to communicate their emergency plans, it falls upon us to take charge of their well-being in times of crisis. Whether it’s a natural disaster, unexpected evacuation, or any emergency situation, having a plan in place can make all the difference in making sure your family members stay safe. By ensuring that your pets have the necessary essentials, access to temporary medical care, and proper identification, you’re taking the essential steps to safeguard their safety and health during the worst circumstances. Remember, a little planning and preparation today can go a long way in ensuring a brighter and safer future for your beloved pets.
If you have any questions or concerns, our Cloud Peak Vet 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 in any way that we can!
