Emergency Preparedness for You and Your Pet

Did you know June is National Pet Preparedness Month! And living in California: where the ground shakes, and the hills burst into flames—it's the perfect time to get serious (but not too serious) about making sure you and your furry friend are ready to skedaddle at a moment's notice. So, here are my top tips to make sure you're not caught off guard.

#1 Pet Safety Stickers: Slap a sticker on your window to let first responders know there are pets inside. If you’re stuck at work while disaster strikes, you’ll want the heroes to save Fluffy and Fido. You can score a free sticker from the ASPCA at https://secure.aspca.org/take-action/order-your-pet-safety-pack. It’s like a “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World” situation, but with pets.

#2 Trusty Neighbor or Pet Sitter: Give a spare key to someone you trust and your pets know. This way, if you’re stuck in traffic or having an existential crisis far from home, your pets can still be rescued. It’s like having a backup plan for your backup plan.

#3 Safety Kit for Your Pet: When you’re putting together your emergency kit, don’t forget the doggo or kitty. Keep everything in a waterproof container because, you know, disasters don’t care about your organizational skills. Here’s what to include:

• Extra pet food (and swap it out every two months unless your pet is on an intermittent fasting kick).

• Portable water and food bowls (because pets aren’t great at drinking from cupped hands).

• Extra leashes, collars, or harnesses (because losing a leash is like losing a sock—it just happens).

• Water bottles (again, swap them out every two months).

• A copy of your pet’s veterinary records (in case they need to prove their age for pet discounts).

• Portable pet carrier for smaller pets (or a miniature chariot, whatever suits your style).

• Blankets (because who doesn’t love a cozy blanket?).

• Disposable garbage bags (for cleaning up after your pet, or for impromptu fashion shows).

• Disposable litter trays (for cats who refuse to go au naturel).

#4 Pet First Aid Kit: Adding a pet first aid kit to your emergency stash is a smart move. Include:

• hydrogen peroxide (for those curious noses that get into trouble),

• gauze,

• non-stick bandages

• cotton balls

• Benadryl gel caps (for allergic reactions)

• antibiotic ointment spray (for minor wounds)

• milk of magnesia (for toxic ingestion)

• tweezers, scissors

• a soft muzzle (because even the sweetest pet can panic)

• a small towel (perfect for wrapping, drying, or making your pet look like a superhero).

#5 Update Microchips and ID Collars: Make sure your pet’s microchip info and ID collar are up to date. If you get separated, you’ll have a better chance of being reunited. Also, keep recent pictures of your pets handy, because, believe it or not, “I’m missing a black-and-white cat” describes about half the cats out there.

So there you have it! These tips should help you and your pet be ready for anything Mother Nature throws your way. Let’s hope you never have to use them, but it’s always better to be prepared. And remember, in the face of disaster, keep calm, stay safe, and don’t forget the treats.

Fourth of July Safety Tips

The Fourth of July is an exciting and celebratory day for Americans. However, for our dogs, this day and the days leading up to it can be terrifying. The unexpected loud sound of fireworks and their irregular noise patterns often make many animals feel vulnerable and afraid. The loud sounds of fireworks can trigger our dogs' “fight or flight” instinct, as well as other anxiety attacks. This can lead to behavior problems or worse; a dog that will run away out of fear in search of safety. Luckily, there are things we can do to ease our dogs anxiety.

My number one safety tip is to make sure your dog’s microchip is up to date. If your dog doesn’t have a microchip, make sure they have a secure collar on that has your current phone number. Making sure your information on their ID tags and microchips are up to date helps ensure that, if they do run away, they have a better chance of being returned safely back to you.

Before the Fourth of July, you can start the desensitization process with your dog to the sound of fireworks. To start this process, find firework sounds online or on YouTube. Then play these sounds at a very low volume; make sure that your dog is not fearful at this volume. Then while this noise is playing give your dog their favorite treat. Continue this for several minutes. If your dog begins to show signs of anxiety, stop this exercise. The goal of this process is to replace your dog's fearful behavior with calm and relaxed behavior. this can take some time to get to that point. But you never want to push your dog past its threshold. As long as your dog is calm and taking treats you can slowly increase the volume. Do these training sessions for only a couple of minutes each day.

Additionally, there are great holistic anti-anxiety medications and chews with melatonin or cannabinoid (CBD) oil that works wonders in calming down an anxious pet. Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally found in all of our bodies and is used to tell us when to sleep and wake up. Melatonin is also used as a calming aid. If you have an animal that is only mildly anxious Melatonin chews would be the perfect way to ease their anxiety, my favorites are NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Soft Chews. If your animal is extremely anxious and can become destructive at the sound of fireworks using a form of CBD oil can be helpful. CBD oil is a compound found in cannabis and hemp. Most CBD oils have little to no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the substance that can produce psychoactive responses (Dogs Natural Magazine). I have seen very anxious dogs become calm and relaxed with just a couple of drops of CBD oil. You should always contact your vet before adding anything else to your dogs diet or medication routine.

Finally, if you are going away for the night, make sure your pet is as comfortable and secure as possible. Turn on the TV or classical music. Classical music has been found to have the same relaxing effect on animals as it does on humans and can ease their stress. Take your dog for a long walk before the fireworks start. These activities will help rid their systems of extra energy and stress, helping them to cope with the additional stress of fireworks. If possible, keep your dog indoors. Being in a safe space can help ease the stress as well. This will also reduce the risk of them running away.

Using these general guidelines and tips, you can help make this year's Fourth of July a happy and safe one for your whole family, including your dog! Always discuss diet and medication changes with your vet to prevent any concerns.

Happy Celebrating!

Edited By Tara Rico