If you’ve been thinking the weather has been getting crazier lately, then know it’s not just in your head. Scientists say extreme weather emergency events are becoming more severe each year.

Regardless of where you live, you need to be aware of the potential dangers. Emergency preparedness could be what gets you and your family through an emergency. 

If your family includes dogs or cats, then you also need to consider pet safety, too. No family’s emergency preparedness plan is complete until they consider their pets, too. 

Read on to learn how to include your animals in your disaster plan.

 

Have a Pet Safety Plan

 

First of all, you need to develop a safety plan for every member of your family. Keep in mind that these plans need to get updated as your family changes. 

As part of your plan, you need to consider your pet. If your pet is a senior or unable to care for themselves, it’s important to appoint one person to help your pet. 

You may need several safety plans for different emergencies. For instance, a house fire plan will be far different than a tornado contingency plan. 

Outline potential emergencies and have a few different plans that can help.

 

Prepare an Emergency Kit For Your Pet

 

Next, start to consider what types of supplies you’ll need in various disasters. You’ll want to create emergency kits for different scenarios.
 

In these kits, you’ll want to include supplies like:
 

• Short-term food supply for you and your pets 
• Short-term drinking water for you and your pet 
• Any necessary medications (short-term supply) 
• Manual can opener 

• Human (and animal) first aid supplies (cotton balls, adhesive tape, antibacterial medicine) 
• Radio
   

Consider keeping one kit at home and one in your car.
 

When it comes to medication for you or your pet, it’s good to keep a two-week supply. If your pet takes cognitive disease supplements or similar products, store that, too.

Stay Prepared for a Disaster Event

 

Staying prepared for a disaster event is paramount to your family’s well-being. While a disaster or emergency may never come to pass, your family will be prepared if one ever does.
 

ASPCA estimates that less than half of homeowners have a preparedness plan in place. They also say that 40% of pet owners who evacuate in a disaster don’t come back for four days.
 

Make sure you keep your pet safe by having a plan in place to bring them with you.

 

Pet Disaster Preparedness 101

 

Keeping your pet safe might seem easy on a typical day. But, one disaster event could change everything in an instant.
 

Since safety is paramount in those initial moments, you’ll want to have a plan and kits in place before an event. If you follow the tips outlined in this article, then you should be in a good position to handle the crisis.
 

When your pet is a senior, pet safety preparation is even more important. You need to make sure you have the right medication and supplies.
 

Are you looking for senior-specific products and toys? If so, then check our our shop now to find our best senior pet items.