3 Steps to Prepare Your Dog for An Emergency

It’s not a perfect world. That’s just the simple truth. We’ve put together 3 steps to help you prepare your dog for an emergency situation.

We do everything we can to give our pets a safe and healthy life, but the fact is that emergencies happen, natural disasters strike, and health difficulties are real. Often, they happen without much warning. It’s wise to think through how to be prepared ahead of time.

Your dog is depending on you to take care of her. Abandoning a furry family member is not an option. Here are a few things you can do now to help reduce stress when an emergency occurs.

Prepare Your Dog for An Emergency

1. Make a plan

   • If we must evacuate due to a natural disaster, where will we go?
   • What are my dog-friendly options?
   • If I’m unable to get home due to an emergency, who is near my home that will check on and care for my dog until I can get home?
   • If I have a serious health emergency, who will care for my pet?
     • Is my dog already comfortable with this person?
     • Has this person agreed to love and care for my dog if I cannot?

2. Prepare

   • Make a list for the items to pack in a “go” bag in case of emergency. Include dog food, water, water dish, leash/harness, toys, waste bags, medications, snacks and comfort items for your dog (like her favorite blanket).
   • Keep a copy of any paperwork, her microchip number, and contact information for you, your vet, and friends/family members in a waterproof bag.
   • Have a transportable crate ready to house your dog in case of evacuation so that your pet has a safe place to sleep and travel with you.
   • Talk to your vet and get their recommendations of what your pet will need and if possible, keep an extra supply of your pet’s medications on hand.
   • Make sure your dog’s collar tags include your contact information in case you are separated.
   • Consider also including your vet’s phone number.Register your dog’s microchip so that if your dog is separated from you, a vet can easily scan your dog’s chip when she’s found and contact you.

3. Communicate

   • Talk through your evacuation and health emergency plans with your family members and close friends who may end up caring for your pet.
   • Be sure that everyone has agreed to and understands the plan. It’s unwise to assume.
   • Provide your friends and family members with the name and contact information of your Doodle’s veterinarian, her favorite food, any health issues and a list of personality traits or habits unique to your dog to help them make her transition as easy as possible if they need to step in for you.
   • If possible, make sure your dog has met and is comfortable with all the people who may end up caring for her. Being around someone familiar will help reduce her anxiety.
   • Stay calm. Your pet is sensitive to your emotional state and often mirrors it. If you communicate a calm spirit to your dog, she will feel less anxious.

Dog getting a drink from a water bottle

Puppy Shopping List

You might want to check out our Puppy Shopping List.  Remember your puppy is counting on you. Prioritizing their safety takes some work but is worth your time and investment!