Hurricane Preparation Tips For Pet Owners

Here in Louisiana, summer is often associated with sweltering weather, fishing, crayfish boils, and, of course, cold snacks, like ice cream. On the down side, it’s also hurricane season. We know all too well the damage these storms can inflict. And while we hope that we don’t get another major storm for a very, very long time, it’s always best to be prepared, just in case. A Metairie, LA veterinarian offers some hurricane preparation tips for pet owners in this article.

Have A Pet Bag

Have a ‘bugout’ bag ready for your pet. Some of the things you’d want to include are collapsible dishes, treats, toys, blankets, towels, treats, bottled water, a spare leash and collar, and a pet first-aid kit. Dogs also need tie-lines and waste baggies. (We also recommend adding a muzzle, just in case a shelter requires it.) Kitties should have a litterbox and litter. For the rest of the year, this bag can also double as a travel bag and/or beach bag. You’d need to add food, extra water, and medicine if a storm heads our way.

Stock Up

It’s not a bad idea to keep extra pet food and bottled water on hand at all times. However, we definitely recommend stocking up as storm season approaches.

Make A Plan

Don’t wait until the last minute to sort out an evacuation plan. Print a list of all pet-friendly hotels and shelters within a few hours’ drive. You may also want to note their pet policies, particularly if you have a large dog and/or more than one pet.

Keep Current With Wellness Care

Make sure to keep up with your pet’s parasite control and vaccinations! This is always important, but it can become crucial if a storm rolls through. For one thing, many hotels and shelters require proof of this paperwork. Also, after a storm, many wild animals will be displaced, which can increase the odds of an encounter.

Proper ID

Your furry buddy should be microchipped and wearing proper ID tags. We can’t overstate how important this is! If your pet hasn’t been microchipped, we recommend getting this done ASAP. If your pet is chipped, try using the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool here to check and verify that your contact information is correct.

As your Metairie, LA animal hospital, we’re here for you! Contact us anytime!