Hurricane Safety Tips for Pets

May 9, 2023May 10, 2023
by ruthmacpete

Hurricanes are powerful tropical storms that can leave destruction in their path and can endanger your household. Although there is nothing we can do to prevent hurricanes, we can be better prepared to improve our chances for a safe outcome. When preparing for a disaster, it is important to plan for our four-legged family members. Here are some essential hurricane safety tips to help you prepare and keep your pets safe during a hurricane.

Stay informed
One of the most crucial steps you can take to stay safe during a hurricane is to stay informed about the storm’s progress and listen for any updates from your local authorities. Monitor local news and weather reports and make sure to have a reliable source of information, such as a battery-powered radio or NOAA Weather Radio. Pay attention to evacuation orders and follow the instructions of local officials.

Identification
Make sure all pets, even indoor only cats, have identification. Collars with ID tags and microchips are essential. During emergencies pets often get lost. Having an ID tag and microchip can help reunite you with your lost pet.

Emergency Kits
Most people know that they should have an emergency kit, but pets also need one. What do you need to make a pet disaster kit?

1. A container to store all the supplies.
A duffel bag or backpack is ideal because they are easy to carry in case you need to evacuate. Be sure to store your disaster kits in a location where it is easily accessible. Choose a color that will make your duffle bag or backpack easy to find and identify.

2. Food and water
The American Red Cross recommends you include a two-week supply of food and water in your disaster kit. Be sure you include bowls as well as a can opener (if using canned food). I really like the Bella Roma travel bowls by Loving Pets because they are lightweight, collapsible food and water bowls that don’t take up a lot of space.

3. Toys & Treats
Include your pet’s favorite treats and toys in the kit. Many frightened animals will hide during a disaster and will not want to come out of their hiding place. Having your pet’s favorite treat or toy may be what you need to entice your fearful pet out of hiding and into safety. Toys also come in handy if you need something to entertain your pet while you are waiting out the storm somewhere.

4. Leash or Carrier
Be sure to include a leash (preferably one that is reflective) for dogs or a pet carrier for cats or small dogs so that you can safely secure and transport your pet without risking that they will run away and get lost.

5. Medications
Be sure to include any medications that your pet is currently taking, including flea, tick and heartworm preventatives. You may not be able to go to your veterinarian during an emergency so have extra supplies available.

6. First aid kit
Include a pet first aid booklet and first aid supplies in case your pet gets injured and you cannot access a veterinarian.

7. Important documents
Pack a copy of your pet’s important medical records, including vaccination history and microchip information. Include a recent photo of your pet and your adoption papers to prove ownership. Also include a list of important phone numbers, such as your veterinarian, local pet emergency clinic, and boarding facilities.

8. Cat Litter & Litter Box
If you have cats, make sure you have a small litter box and small box or bag of litter ready to go. If you have to spend the night in a hotel or shelter you will need someplace for your feline friend to relieve themselves. Store these items next to your disaster kit.

Be Ready to Evacuate
If local authorities issue an evacuation order, it’s important to follow their instructions and leave the area immediately! Grab your disaster kits, locate your animals, secure them using either a leash or carrier and then get yourself, your family and your pets to a safe location. Don’t wait until the last minute to evacuate, as roads may become congested or even impassable as the storm approaches.

If you are not required to evacuate, be sure all your pets are with you inside. Take shelter in an interior room on the lowest level of your home. Stay away from windows and doors and avoid using candles, as they can pose a fire risk. Use a battery-powered radio to stay informed about the storm’s progress and any updates from local authorities.

Stay safe after the storm After the storm has passed, stay alert for any potential hazards, such as downed power lines, flooded roads, and weakened structures. Don’t return to your home until local officials have declared it safe to do so. If you have evacuated, wait for instructions from local authorities before returning home.

Help
If your pets manage to get lost or you need help finding a place to stay with your pets call your local animal shelter for information. If your pet has a medical emergency, call your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency clinic.

In conclusion, hurricanes can be dangerous and life-threatening, the best way to stay safe is to be prepared. Make sure all pets have identification, prepare an emergency kit for you and your pets, stay informed during bad weather and be ready to evacuate with your pets if necessary.

For more information watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsoKR25bI44&t=71s

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Halloween Hazards all Pet Parents Need to Know

October 18, 2021November 2, 2022
by ruthmacpete

Halloween is almost here! Halloween is my all-time favorite holiday. Ever since I was a kid, I have loved Halloween but… not everyone loves Halloween. In fact, many animals are downright terrified by the holiday. In addition to being scary, Halloween can be dangerous to our pets. It is important all pet parents know the four most common Halloween pet hazards and how to keep their pets safe this Halloween.

1.Open Doors
The spooky decorations, eerie noises, ghoulishly dressed little people ringing doorbells and yelling “trick-or-treat” can be frightening to our pets. If you have a nervous, shy or easily frightened pet it is best to keep them inside your house and away from the door. Likewise, if your pet is very protective, keep your pet safely secured inside the house. Sadly, many frightened pets get lost during Halloween every year when they dart out of an open front door or escape from their yard. It’s best to keep your dog safely away from the commotion in a back room and give them a treat or toy to keep them busy. West Paw makes a variety of interactive toys. The West Paw Toppl can be filled with your dog’s favorite treat or food to keep them engaged, mentally stimulated and distracted from the scary sounds and ghouls and goblins at the door.

2.Candy
Scary trick-or-treaters aren’t the worst hazard to our pets. Candy is probably the biggest danger. As most people, know chocolate is toxic to our pets and can be fatal. However, it’s not just chocolate that we have to watch out for. Candy with xylitol, like sugar-free gum, is also vey dangerous to pets. Xylitol causes insulin release and low blood sugar levels and can lead to liver failure. Be sure to keep all Halloween candy away from your pets. If your pet manages to steal some candy, immediately call your veterinarian for help or take your pet to a veterinary emergency clinic.

3.Decorations
Halloween decorations can be another big danger to our pets. Flickering candles, jack-o-lanterns, and twinkling lights don’t just capture our attentions, pets are curious by nature and are drawn to these lights as well. Unfortunately, pets can get burned if they get too close to a candle or jack-o-lanterns, or worse, start a house fire. Instead of using traditional candles, use battery operated candles. These are much safer for you and your pets. Halloween lights are pretty but can also be dangerous to ours pets. Pets can get tangled in lights, or worse yet, they can get electrocuted if they chew on them.

4.Costumes
Some people, like me, love to dress their pet up for Halloween. Just be sure you use a costume made especially for pets and never leave them in a costume unattended. Pet costumes are designed to fit your pet comfortably and to come off easily. Even so, you should never leave your pet alone in a costume. Some animals may decide to take their costume off themselves and become entangled, while others may decide to eat the costume in order to ensure they won’t have to wear it again.

This Halloween, make it a priority to keep your pets safe and sound. Keep your cats inside if you don’t already do so, and put your dog in a back room, especially if they are shy, nervous, or easily frightened by kids, loud noises, and lights. Be aware of common Halloween hazards like candy and decorations. Finally, if your pet doesn’t already have a collar, ID tag and microchip, get these before Halloween just in case your pet gets frightened and runs away during all the spooky commotion.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

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What You Need To Know Before Hiking With Your…

May 16, 2021June 24, 2021
by ruthmacpete

Hiking is a great activity for people and pets. Besides the beautiful scenery and fresh air, you get a healthy dose of exercise. Before you set out on a hike with your pet, here are a few things you should know.

Know the rules

First make sure the trail allows dogs. Some allow dogs but only if they are on a leash, others do not allow dogs at all. Most trails post signs at the trailhead to inform you if pets are permitted. Know the rules before you hit the trail. No one likes to arrive at the trailhead with a very excited pooch only to find out that no pets are allowed. Although it may be tempting to break the rules, do so at your own risk. Most parks have rangers who are not afraid to issue citations. It may not seem like a big deal but a ticket can a lot of money.

Know your pet’s ability

Be sure your dog is in good shape and can complete the hike. Otherwise, you may find yourself carrying them back. Some dogs, especially brachycephalic breeds and small dogs, do not have much stamina and cannot physically handle strenuous hikes. Others are just sedentary and don’t enjoy hiking. Years ago, I used to hike with my Doberman and Scottish terrier. My Dobie could hike for miles and miles and would never tire. My Scottie, on the other hand, loved hiking on level ground or downhill but would refuse to hike uphill. After having to carry my twenty-five pound Scottie uphill a few times, I learned my lesson and bought a dog backpack carrier. She loved it and I loved it because it was easier than carrying her in my arms. These days I have two great hikers but I still carry a backpack for my little man Jett, that way when he’s tired he can take a break. The main point is make sure you know your pet’s limits and don’t exceed them.

Stay hydrated

Be sure to bring plenty of water for yourself and your pets. Just like you, your pet will need to drink a lot of water while hiking in order to stay hydrated. The heat and exercise can lead to dehydration quickly if you and your pet are not drinking enough. Never assume you will find water on a trail. You never know when a stream or creek is going to be run dry. Also, drinking water from a stream is a good way to get intestinal parasites like giardia. Make sure you bring enough water for you and your pet and don’t forget to bring a collapsible bowl for your pet since it’s not easy for them to drink from a water bottle.

Hiking dangers

When hiking, always stay on the designated trails to avoid disturbing wildlife or damaging native plants. In addition to obeying the rules and helping protect the environment, staying on the trail can actually save your dog’s life. Poisonous snakes are found in every state except Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine. Although you may not realize it, you and your pet may not be the only ones enjoying the hiking trails on a warm summer day. By keeping your pet leashed and on the trails, you can pull your dog away from danger and you are keeping them out of a snake’s favorite hiding place, like brush and piles of rubble. For more info about poisonous snakes and what to do if your pet is bitten, read my previous blog on poisonous snakes. While not as dangerous as a venomous snake, plants with thorns and cacti are a common outdoor hazard for your pet. Keeping your pet leashed and on the trail can protect them from becoming a cactus pincushion. Keeping them on a leash will also keep them out of harms way by keeping them away from cliffs, waterfalls, and rivers. After you finish your hike, check your dog’s fur and in between their toes for thorns, cactus stickers, foxtails, and burrs, and look for ticks, especially if you live in an area endemic for Lyme disease.

In line with the Boy Scout motto, being prepared can make all the difference in the world between an enjoyable outdoor excursion and wilderness misadventure. Before you set out on a hike, know the trail rules and bring plenty of water for yourself and your pet. Remember to keep your pet on a leash and on the trail. Afterwards, check their fur and feet closely after hikes. Hiking is a great activity that people and pets can enjoy together. Hopefully these tips will help you and your pet stay safe while enjoying the great outdoors.

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How to Hike Safely With Your Dog

August 4, 2020August 5, 2020
by ruthmacpete

Know the Rules
First make sure the trail allows dogs. Some allow dogs but only if they are on a leash, while others do not allow dogs at all. Most trails post signs at the trailhead to inform you if pets are permitted. Know the rules before you hit the trail. No one likes to arrive at the trailhead with a very excited pooch only to find out that no pets are allowed. Although it may be tempting to break the rules, do so at your own risk. Most parks have rangers who are not afraid to issue citations. It may not seem like a big deal but a ticket can a lot of money.

Know Your Pet’s Ability
Be sure your dog is physically up to the challenge and that the temperature is not too hot. Otherwise, you may find yourself carrying your pet back. Some dogs, especially breeds, cannot physically handle heat or strenuous hikes. Other breeds are just sedentary and don’t enjoy hiking. For example, my Doberman could hike for miles and miles and never seemed to get tired. On the other hand, my new dog Jett is tiny, brachycephalic and not made for hiking. That said, he enjoys the great outdoors like the rest of us, so we only hike when it is cool or shady and always bring a dog backpack. Jett hikes a bit and then is carried like royalty the rest of the time. Whether you have a big dog, little dog or short nosed dog, just be sure you know your pet’s limits and don’t exceed them.

Stay Hydrated
Be sure to bring plenty of water for yourself and your pets. Just like you, your pet will need to drink a lot of water while hiking in order to stay hydrated. The heat and exercise can lead to dehydration quickly if you and your pet are not drinking enough. Never assume you will find water on a trail. You never know when a stream or creek is going to be run dry. Also, drinking water from a stream is a good way to get intestinal parasites like giardia. Make sure you bring enough water for you and your pet and don’t forget to bring a collapsible bowl for your pet since it’s not easy for them to drink from a water bottle.

Hiking Dangers
When hiking, always stay on the designated trails to avoid disturbing wildlife or damaging native plants. In addition to obeying the rules and helping protect the environment, staying on the trail can actually save your dog’s life. Poisonous snakes are found in every state except Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine. Although you may not realize it, you and your pet may not be the only ones enjoying the hiking trails on a warm summer day. By keeping them leashed and on the trail, you can pull your dog away from danger and keep them out of a snake’s favorite hiding place, like brush and piles of rubble. For more info about poisonous snakes and what to do if your pet is bitten, read my previous blog on poisonous snakes. While not as dangerous as a venomous snake, plants with thorns and cacti are a common outdoor hazard for your pet. Keeping your pet leashed and on-trail can protect them from becoming a cactus pincushion. Keeping them on a leash will also keep them out of harm’s way by keeping them away from cliffs, waterfalls, and rivers. After you finish your hike, check your dog’s fur and in between their toes for thorns, cactus stickers, foxtails, and burrs, and always make sure to look for ticks, especially if you live in an area endemic for Lyme disease.

Tag: <span>dog safety</span>