Pet Preparedness Tips

June is National Pet Preparedness Month! There’s definitely been no shortage of natural disasters over the past few years, and it doesn’t look like that trend is going to be reversing anytime soon. With some emergency situations, like hurricanes, you may have some time to prepare for them. Others, like tornados and housefires, offer little or no warning. It’s always best to be prepared for emergencies, just in case. A Cornelius, NC vet offers some advice on pet preparedness below.

Emergency Bag

We recommend having an emergency bag ready for your furry friend. This should include basics, such as food, water, dishes, bedding, and toys. Dogs also need waste baggies, leashes, and tie-out lines. You may want to include a muzzle, as some emergency shelters may require them. While you may not like the idea, it may be something you have to deal with temporarily. As for Fluffy, she’ll need a bed, a litterbox, and litter. You’ll also want to include towels and a pet first-aid kit. As to how much to pack? We’d recommend having a week’s worth of food, water, treats, and medicine.

Wellness Care

Keep up on your furry friend’s preventative care! If you and your furry buddy have to evacuate, and you end up in a shelter or hotel, at least you won’t have to worry about Fido catching fleas or heartworms from another dog.

Plan Paperwork

You’ll also want to have copies of your pet’s most important pieces of paperwork ready. While there are many pet-safe hotels and emergency shelters these days, many of them require proof that your animal companion is registered and current on key vaccinations, such as rabies. You’ll also want copies of your pet’s medical records, as well as any medications they are on. One thing you may want to do with these is to take pictures of them with your phone and email them to yourself. That way, you can access them from anywhere.

ID

Proper identification is also very important. Fido and Fluffy should be wearing current ID tags, which should include your contact information. Microchips are also essential. While tags and collars can come off, microchips form a permanent link between you and your furry best friend.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns about your dog’s health or care. As your Cornelius, NC veterinary clinic, we are here to help!