September is a crazy month. While trying to get school supplies for your young student and starting to bring out the fun fall décor, we tend to forget about what our pets may need for the upcoming months.
September is also known as National Preparedness Month. Natural Disasters are prevalent this time of year, so it is best to prepare your pets as we prepare for our student’s first day back to school.
It is always better to be safe than sorry. Having all of your pet’s items they would need in case of a natural disaster not only protects the needs of your pet, but it also helps make sure you have the ability to leave your home ASAP if evacuation is needed. Include your family members when discussing your evacuation plans and the location of your pet’s supplies!
Let’s prep our pets’ “backpacks” so that no matter what mother nature delivers, your little friends are ready.
What you will need:
Food
Always make sure you order extra food in case of delayed delivery times or stocking issues in stores.
Water
Keep a couple gallons of water in your home in case of power outages.
Medications
Make sure you have enough of your pet’s medications to get through the month, your veterinarian’s office may be closed if there are severe storms.
Battery Back-up
Get a battery back-up to keep your reptile and amphibian enclosures at the correct temperature.
Enrichment toys
Make sure to have some toys for your pets to play with in case they are stuck indoors. No one wants to take Fido on a walk during a hurricane.
Transport Supplies
Make sure to have your pet’s leash or carrier in a place that is easy to grab. If you are trying to leave in a hurry, you do not want to have to look in the basement for the dust-covered carrier.
If you have a cat who fears their carrier, it may be extremely difficult to leave the house in a hurry when Felix will not come out from under the bed. It is important to always leave a new carrier out to acclimatize your cat. You can also place high value treats in the carrier daily so that your cat sees entering the carrier as rewarding. This will make it much easier to place your cat in their carrier in case of an emergency.
Litterbox and Litter
Make sure to have extra litter and an easily transportable litter box ready to go for your feline friends! Sorry, a self-cleaning litterbox will not be in your best interest here. Let’s stick to the basics as far as litter boxes go.
Muzzles
If your dog is fearful around strangers, it is advised to have a muzzle to keep both your pet and others safe. Check out The Muzzle Up! Project for more information on how to properly muzzle train your dog to accept the muzzle just like a collar.
Identification
Make sure your pets have proper identification in case of separation. A microchip is the best way to ensure that you will be reunited with your pet. A collar with an ID including your contact information, such as your cell phone number, is also a great way to make sure that others know where your pet belongs.
Vaccinations
You never know if you may have to relocate. Making sure your pets’ vaccinations are up to date (especially rabies) is important so that you can have them stay with you at a pet friendly hotel! Check out pet friendly hotels in your area so you know who you can call in case of an emergency.
Useful Links:
The Muzzle Up! Project: https://muzzleupproject.com/
Cat Carrier Training: https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com
Puzzle Enrichment Toys for dogs: https://outwardhound.com/dog/games-puzzles/
Food Dispensing Enrichment Toys for cats: https://catit.us/collections/senses-playground
Small animal enrichment toys: https://oxbowanimalhealth.com/our-products/enrichment/
