Proper Pet Care: How To Prepare For An Emergency
The last thing you want to worry about is being unprepared for an emergency. Preparing for an emergency in advance can significantly affect how swiftly you respond, potentially saving a life. To ensure you’ve covered the essentials, let’s take a look at what you should know in an emergency with your pet. While your plans may never be used, they will ensure that you are fully prepared in the event of an emergency.
How to Prepare for a Pet Emergency
Follow these measures to prepare for an emergency long before your pet needs to face one.
Make a plan.
A pet emergency isn’t always just a pet emergency. Local emergencies like house fires, weather events, and others might occur. Your emergency plan should include things like where to stay with a pet if you can’t get home, who will care for them while you get there, how to meet key individuals, etc. Preparation ahead of time can keep you and your pet safe.
Maintain a list of emergency contacts.
Keep your regular veterinary clinic’s phone numbers and addresses and the nearest animal emergency hospital on your mobile phone, and make a copy to keep in your refrigerator or another safe place. Make yourself acquainted with these locations.
Schedule regular veterinary examinations.
Preventive care includes regular veterinarian check-ups, immunizations, orthopedics and parasite prevention. Also, talk to your veterinarian about the advantages of spaying or neutering your pet. You’ll save money in the long term by safeguarding your pet’s health and preventing minor injuries and illnesses.
Make a pet first aid kit.
Keeping a first aid kit handy is one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy in an emergency. You can either make your own or buy one. Simply include enough food and water for at least five days, medical supplies, toys, blankets, restraints, crucial documents, local contact information, and prescriptions.
Review toxic foods and substances.
Refresh your knowledge on toxic human foods such as chocolate, onions, xylitol, raisins, and grapes, plus household plants toxic to pets (such as cycad palms or lilies in cats). Make sure everything is to avoid your pet swallowing a foreign body or another toxic substance. Avoid using rat and snail bait, and clean up any antifreeze spills near your vehicle. To avoid an accidental overdose, keep all medications in a secure location.
Ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.
Your pet’s vaccines (and proof of them) from places like Bear Valley Animal Hospital must be up to date if you and your pet are separated for any reason. Non-vaccinated pets are not accepted at many shelters. If your pet’s immunizations are out of the current, the sitter’s other pets may be at risk. Keep these documents handy in your emergency pet care and first aid kit.
Conclusion
Addressing these simple things you should be aware of in an emergency with your pet in advance can help ensure a safe and timely response. Being prepared in advance is the greatest approach to ensure that you are as safe as possible and prepared for any eventuality. Whether the emergency is caused by an injury, an illness, a storm, a fire, or anything else, you may rest assured that you are prepared to the fullest extent possible.
