Kansas State University
Severe weather season is here in Kansas, and preparing for storms should include every member of the family, including pets.
Susan Nelson, clinical professor and veterinarian at the Kansas State University Hill's Pet Health and Nutrition Center, said planning ahead for storms can help keep pets safe and reduce stress during severe weather events.
"One of the most important things is to be proactive and watch for severe weather watches and warnings," Nelson said. "This allows both you and your pet to be prepared."
Caring for pets during thunderstorms
For pets that need medication for severe thunderstorm anxiety, Nelson recommends administering treatment several hours in advance of storm activity. If anxiety-reducing medication does not have enough time to work, the results may be disappointing.
"A general rule of thumb is if there is a 50% chance or greater of thunderstorms, and your dog is affected by them, go ahead and start their medication early," Nelson said. "Anxiety medications have little effect if given in the moment."
Pets that fear storms might attempt to run away to escape the storm. It's important for pets to have at least a collar with an ID tag attached. Pets also should be microchipped with their owner's current contact information. Nelson said these are some of the best ways to increase the likelihood of being reunited with your pet if it escapes during a storm.
Make a plan for finding shelter
Ahead of severe weather, it is important to plan where you will take shelter. During severe weather, Nelson says to take your pet wherever you go for shelter and have at least three days' worth of food, water and any medications for in-home sheltering.
If you need to evacuate your home and shelter elsewhere, Nelson suggests considering the following:
- Make sure pets are welcome to stay with friends, family or hotels. Many boarding facilities and hotels might already be full in the event of a major disaster, so have alternative plans prepared.
- Have travel-ready crates and containers appropriate for the species you have, and line them with absorbable material in case of accidents.
- Put your pet's collar or harness on, and have a leash available if they are leash trained.
- Bring at least one week's worth of medication, food, bottled water and other basic supplies for care and cleanup.
- Keep pet ID and vaccination records in a waterproof bag and bring them with you in case you have to shelter in separate buildings or need proof of vaccinations. Include your veterinarian's contact information and a picture of you and your pet in case you need to provide proof of ownership.
For more information, Nelson recommends visiting Ready's pet disaster preparation website and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' disaster preparedness website.