Top tips for pet parents

Talk to your vet about prescriptions

In case you and your pets are stuck inside and can’t get to the pharmacy or have to evacuate before your next car arrives, it’s a good idea to have a backup of any prescriptions your pet is currently taking. Talk to your vet about what options you have to get an advanced refill in an emergency,

Additionally, if your pet exhibits reactive or destructive behavior stressful situationsask your vet about any sedatives they recommend. Not all tranquilizers are prescription-only, but if your dog is new to medication, you’ll want to talk to your vet before buying anything.

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Make a pet first aid kit

Medicines are an excellent basis for a pet first aid kit. Other items you can add to a pet first aid kit include:

• Gaza
• Medical tape
• Disposable gloves
• Tweezers
• Detergent for the dishwasher, for bathing
• Stypic powder, to stop bleeding from minor wounds or cuts
• Towels

If you already have a first aid kit stocked for humans, many items can double for pets. Just check with your vet about any topical pet treatments that are meant for humans.

Protect your pet’s medical records

Depending on the emergency, you may need to take a few precautions to keep your pet’s medical records safe and dry. Laminating—or to save a dollar, using a Ziploc bag—is a great way to keep inexpensive hard copies of your pet’s medical history, including their immunizations, safe from the weather. If you have a fireproof safe, this is another great location to stash an extra set.

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Assemble an emergency bag

Emergency evacuation can be scary, especially if you have furry friends. One way to get everything out faster is to put together an emergency bag or container for your pets, complete with a week’s supply of food and water, prescriptions, medical records, waste bags, and anything else your pets might need while away from home. houses, including a portable bed.

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Turn on mobile alerts

Make sure you get the most timely information for your area by including severe weather alerts as well as breaking news alerts from your local news. Many smartphones are already equipped to set certain alerts, but these are usually limited to weather conditions, and delivery can be inconsistent.

If you have social media (who doesn’t?), there are also several official social media accounts dedicated to specific emergencies, such as NWS Tornadofor which you can also include notifications.

RELATED: 8 tips to protect pets during extreme winter weather

Practice Shelter in place

Shelter in place can look different for everyone. Some pet parents are content to let their pets roam the basement while everyone waits for the tornado sirens to sound, while others prefer to put them in their crate or carrier until it’s safe to go outside.

No matter what you prefer, practice sheltering in place with your pets. Practice makes perfect when it comes to getting your pets to go where you want them to go when you want them to go there.

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Identify safe evacuation routes and destinations

Nothing is worse than loading into a car with nowhere to go. If you have to evacuate your home because of a forest fire or flooding, decide on 4-5 routes and destinations that you can count on to get you to safety if you can’t stay put. In addition, it is not a bad idea to practice driving pets, especially if they are not used to driving in a car.

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Establish emergency contacts

Although it’s scary to think about, there may be a situation like a severe weather event or other environmental concern that prevents you from getting to your pets in time to act. Think of a core group of people you trust to carry out your pet preparedness plan if you can’t be there. Ideally, these people should live within walking or short distance of you and your pets and have a way to enter your home if necessary.

Let your household know about pet preparedness plans

Now that you’ve laid out and labeled all the steps for your pet prep plan, it’s time to mingle with the rest of your household. Make sure everyone is clear whose pet responsibilities are whose if an emergency occurs makes everything safer, both pets and people.