What You Need To Know To Prep Your Pet For Hurricane Season

Hurricane season is here, and while you may feel that your family is prepared for the bad weather, how ready is your pet? Any loving pet owner will be concerned that their pet is kept safe in the windiest season of the year. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that you and your furry family members stay safe.


Here are our top tips for preparing your pet for hurricane season.

If A Hurricane Hits, Keep Your Pet In The Room With You

If you are battening down the hatches and getting ready for a storm, the safest place for your pet to be is with you. Keep them close so that you can reassure them to help them stay calm, and so that they are nearby in case you need to make a sudden evacuation.

Have All The Necessities Ready In Case You Need To Leave

In the worst-case scenario, you may need to leave your home for several days without access to normal stores and shopping. If this happens, you’ll need an emergency-preparedness kit for the animal members of your family in addition to yourself. Ideally, you should stockpile at least two weeks’ worth of food and bottled water for your pet, as well as any medications that your pet usually takes. Additionally, pack their travel essentials such as a leash or carrier, food bowls, and veterinary documentation.   Make sure your contact information is up to date on any microchip registry as well as on your pet’s collar.

Research Pet-Friendly Accommodations Nearby

If you need to evacuate your home for a few days, it’s a good idea to plan where you are going. If you can’t stay with friends or family, you’ll need to locate a motel or hotel that is prepared to accept you and your animals. Doing your research beforehand can help keep you calm. It’s also wise to contact local veterinary boarding facilities to see what their arrangements are for sheltering pets in the event of a natural disaster. They may be able to help.

Get A Window Sticker To Alert Emergency Services To The Presence Of Pets In Your Home

If there comes a point where emergency services need to help you leave your home, it can be helpful to have window stickers making them aware that you also have animals in the house to consider. These are readily available from many veterinary practices and pet stores, with many even having space to state their breed, location within your home, any medical conditions that they have, and the details of your normal vet.

Make Sure Your Pet Is Up To Date With Their Preventatives

Natural disasters can force people and animals into large groups, and this makes it easier for any viruses, diseases, and parasites to be spread. This includes some which affect our animals. Making sure your pet is up to date with their preventatives, including vaccinations, is invaluable for keeping them safe. It may also be a requirement if you need to place your pet into a boarding facility at any point during hurricane season.

Check Your Pet’s Microchip

Microchipping is the most reliable way of attaching your personal information to your pet so that you can be contacted if they are lost or stolen. The chaos that can accompany a hurricane can increase the likelihood of your pet running away or otherwise being separated from you. If your pet is found and they are microchipped, they are much more likely to be reunited with you than if they were to have a collar and tag alone. If your pet isn’t microchipped yet, speak to your veterinarian about the procedure right away.



Need more tips on how to prepare your pet for hurricane season? Contact our friendly and knowledgeable team at Port Isabel Animal Clinic in Port Isabel, Texas by calling (956) 943-6022 today.