By Kyle Marie McMahon
Storm season can be stressful for the entire family, and our pets are no exception. From loud thunderclaps to sudden evacuations, animals face unique risks that require extra planning and care. To help pet owners feel prepared, we spoke with Dr. Max Jones, DVM, and veterinary assistant Kayla Pendergraft of Bahama Road Veterinary Hospital in Bahama, North Carolina, about how to keep pets safe, calm, and cared for during severe weather. Their expert advice covers everything from recognizing storm anxiety to packing an emergency “go-bag” and creating an evacuation plan that includes every member of the family—four-legged ones included.
Midtown: From your perspective as a veterinarian, what are the biggest risks that pets face during storm season?
Dr. Jones: Physical injury is a real risk as an anxious dog can injure itself in a multitude of ways; I have treated dogs that injured their paws and nails in desperate attempts to claw through doors or walls, stitched up lacerations caused by jumping through glass windows or doors, and even treated hit-by-cars after panicked dogs ran into the road.
Why is it so important for pet owners to have a specific plan in place for their animals long before a storm is in the forecast?
Pendergraft: Often, once the storm is in the forecast or has already started, it is too late to get prepared. Pets can sometimes pick up on anxiousness from their owners, and scrambling to get things ready may ultimately make things worse.
Keeping Pets Calm During Storms and Power Outages
What are the most common signs of storm anxiety or phobia in dogs and cats that owners should watch for?
Pendergraft: Storm anxiety can come in many forms but most often owners can see their pets panting, hiding, pacing, or appearing to be more clingy to their owners.
What proactive steps can owners take to create a “safe space” or den for their pet to help them feel secure during a storm?
Pendergraft: Crate training can go a long way with pets that exhibit anxiety. Giving them a place that is their own and it being a safe place can reduce the stress and anxiety associated with storms. There are products designed to cover a crate that also can help block out the lightning and make the crate feel even more den like. I personally recommend getting the crate covers that fit snuggly vs throwing a blanket over. Pets may pull a loose blanket into the crate that can create risks.
When should a pet owner consider discussing anti-anxiety medications or supplements with their vet? What does that process involve?
Dr. Jones: Early intervention is never the wrong approach. Your veterinarian will likely assess the severity of the problem, discuss the available options, and help you to decide what’s right for you and your pet. Mild problems may be treated with comforting, retreating to a quiet place in the interior of the house, or other non-pharmaceutical options such as pressure vests or pheromone therapies. More severe issues may require short- or long-term medications to help manage anxiety. In all cases, behavioral therapy with the goal of desensitizing and counterconditioning should be considered; distracting, creating a safe space and rewarding good behavior with special treats or toys may allow us to lessen their negative association with storms over time.
The Pet Emergency Kit
Could you walk us through the absolute essential items that should be in every pet’s emergency “go-bag”?
Pendergraft: An essential for a go-bag should definitely include your pet’s food. It is important to change this out regularly to avoid it going out of date. Fresh water should also be included. Any medications your pet takes regularly should be easily accessible to grab in case of an emergency. I would also include a leash and collar/harness to avoid it being left behind in an emergency.
What is the best way to pack and manage a pet’s prescription medications, especially for those that may require refrigeration?
Dr. Jones: Refrigerated medications present a real challenge. Luckily most oral medications are stable at room temperature. The medication that immediately comes to mind is insulin as it has very specific storage requirements and diabetics are at risk of severe complications with even short-term disruptions in their insulin therapy. Purpose made insulin coolers can be purchased that help to ensure the medication is maintained at the appropriate temperature.
Pendergraft: It never hurts to place your pet’s medications in a pill organizer often used in human medicine. They offer options that include AM & PM sides which can help ensure that medications are not double-dosed if it is hard to remember if you have already given it. Medications that require refrigeration are a bit trickier but can be packed with ice packs in an emergency. I would ensure they are placed in a Ziplock or air-tight container to avoid them getting wet with the ice.
What important documents (e.g., vaccination records, microchip information) should be included, and what’s the best format to keep them in (physical copies, digital)?
Pendergraft: I personally keep a digital copy of my pet’s veterinary records so it is accessible to me at all times. Not only for travel purposes, but also in case of an emergency. It can be crucial if you seek emergency medical care for your pet to have proper medical history including diagnostics, medications and dosing, along with historical findings.
Storm Safety Tips
What is the first step a family should take when creating an evacuation plan that includes their pets?
Pendergraft: The first step in my opinion is to plan practically. In an emergency evacuation, things will be happening rapidly, and it is wise to have things easily accessible as well as compact. Trying to load up your family and pets along with all of the things you will need can take up a lot of space. Prioritize things that are needed over things that would be a want. Your pet needs food and water but taking a large bed or a ton of toys may not be very practical depending on the situation.
Can you discuss the importance of microchipping as it relates to natural disasters?
Pendergraft: Microchipping is super important! Often in a natural disaster, pets can find themselves lost for significant amounts of time. They may lose their collars and have no form of identification on them. Having a microchip allows anyone with a reader to identify your pet. Veterinarians, shelters, animal control officers, and more have microchip readers.
What specific precautions should owners take when letting their pets outside for the first time after a storm?
Dr. Jones: A pet that is anxious should ideally remain indoors until they have settled; a leash should be used if they have to go out to prevent a panicked escape attempt. I would recommend checking fence lines and surveying for any tree damage or even downed wires after a significant storm.
If a pet does get lost during the chaos, what are the most effective first steps an owner should take to find them?
Pendergraft: Fortunately, there are many Facebook groups dedicated to lost and found pets that I have seen many happy reunions through. Depending on if your pet is microchipped, the company may also offer a “report my pet as lost” feature. Pawboost is also a resource used often in our area to notify veterinarians and locals about lost or found pets.
While we can’t control the weather, we can take steps to protect the pets who rely on us most. By planning ahead, creating safe spaces, and knowing what to do in the aftermath of a storm, owners can ease anxiety and prevent serious risks for their furry companions. As Dr. Jones and Kayla remind us, preparation is an act of love—and the peace of mind it brings is invaluable when the skies grow dark.
