National Dog Day - How To Keep Your Pet Safe During a Storm

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

Storm Safety For Pets

Happy National Dog Day to you and the furry friends in your life! Today is another opportunity for us to recognize and appreciate the positive contributions that dogs bring in our lives.

While their love and companionship never gets old, they also help us out in many ways: watchdogs for our safety, lead the blind, and aid in search and rescue.

Like us, dogs have strong emotions. One of them is anxiety, especially during the storms that Charlotte, NC can face in the summer. There are many ways that you, as a dog owner, can ease the feelings that arise as a storm approaches.

If you know a storm is heading your way, immediately bring your pets inside. Animals can become disoriented and overwhelmed when they sense a change in weather conditions, so they may try to wander away in this situation. If your dog is prescribed any anxiety medication, now is an appropriate time to give it to him or her.

In addition to wearing an ID tag, they should be microchipped in case they get away. It makes it much easier to identify them, and they can be quickly returned to you.

Dogs may find themselves shaken up when they hear thunder or feel the house shake from thunder or winds. If you have to leave home, bring your pet with you. Create a list of nearby places that are pet-friendly, or see if you can drop your pet off at a friend’s or family member’s home. When picking your pet up, you might find them hiding in unusual places like under beds, in closets, or even in the bathtub, start by looking in their favorite hiding spaces to avoid searching aimlessly..

If you are staying home, keep pets away from windows as much as possible to prevent them from trying to jump out or in the case something causes your window to shatter. Never put pets in crates during a storm as they may end up trapped if there is a situation in which they need to escape.

We hope that heavy rains don’t come inside your home, but if they do, move yourself and your pet to the highest location in your home. Your dog can take shelter even in cabinets or shelving.

Lastly, consider creating an emergency pet plan and putting together a first-aid kit catered to your pet’s needs in an emergency. ASPCA has a list of items that should be in the kit.

For other tips on fire and water cleanup & restoration, SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County is here to assist you. Call us, day or night, at (704) 840-6112.

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