Pet Safety Week: Storm Safety!

Hello, folks, and welcome to the Legacy Chronicles' contribution to Pet Safety Week! OMD, there have been SO many grreat events going on this week. I've learned so much about how to stay safe in all kinds of conditions.

Today I'm going to talk to you about STORM SAFETY. Here in Texas, we get all kinds of storms. Big loud skeery thunderstorms, big twister tornadoes that will take you to Oz, and hurrycanes that will drown you out. Blergh!! So Cinderella and I are well-equipped to tell you all about how to stay safe. We've got tips for safety before, during, and after every kind of storm.

Remember the Dog Scouts motto: Be pawpared!

Before the Storm:

Being prepared is the most impawtant factor in staying safe in storms. You should help your human put together an emergency kit for storm survival. This is good for if you have to flee suddenly, like in a hurricane, or if you have to batten down the hatches and ride out a storm or wait for power to be restored after a bad storm. Your pet kit should include:
- Food and water for three days
- A week's supply of any medications
- A copy of vaccination and veterinary records
- A pet first-aid kit

Don't furget food and water bowls and a comfy place to lie down during the storm. Make sure you have a kennel handy or an extra leash so you can stay together if you need to evacuate suddenly.

During the Storm

Storms can be so skeery for us because we can hear, smell, and sense things that our humans can't.  So it's impawtant to have a safe place to go during a storm. This should be an interior room, like a closet or a bathroom, where we'll be safe from broken windows and flying debris. If you're most comfortable in your crate, that may be a good place to spend a storm, since it gives an extra sense of security.

 

Treats are a nice way to stay calm during bad weather!

Humans need to remember to stay calm, since we pick up on their moods. Extra treats and cuddles can really help keep everybody calm. A light massage, especially behind the ears, can be extra calming. If you get especially anxious during storms, your human may want to consider getting an herbal calming product or a prescription calmer from your dogtor.

Thundershirts are another wonderful help for especially anxious pups. They're a special kind of jacket that fits very close and feels like a nice soothing hug. I've never used one myself, because I don't get very anxious during storms, but I've talked to some of my foster siblings and they say it's a huge help. If you don't have a Thundershirt, a tight t-shirt can help too.

 

Hopefully you won't have to make a swim for it!

After the Storm

Once the storm has passed, you can't relax your vigilance yet! Make your human check your yard very carefully before letting you out. They need to make sure the fence is still up, no holes, and the gate securely latched. They should also check for debris in the yard that could be dangerous. When you go on your first walkies after the storm, keep an eye out for more debris that might cut your paws or block your path.

If the worst happens and you escape during a storm, stay calm! Your human is sure to be looking for you. You should definitely have your collar with ID tags on during a storm so they can find you most easily. And remind them to get you microchipped to give you an extra insurance to find your way home. Even though the flashy beast can be annoying, you also want to make sure your human has up-to-date pictures of you to send to Animal Control or make posters and flyers.

Walking the neighborhood to check out the storm damage.

So there you have it, folks! If you just do a little bit of preparation in advance, you and your human can ride out a storm in safety and comfort. Stay safe and dry out there, my furiends!