In the previous blog, we talked about pets suffering from storm phobia. In this article, we will focus on how to keep your pets safe in stormy weather.
Check the Weather
Predicting the weather can be a very tricky task, but meteorologists are experts in the predictability of severe weather conditions like thunderstorms. However, did you know that there are some pets like cats and dogs that can sense when a storm is coming?
Several pet owners have noticed that their pets would get anxious way before the storm arrives. People can tell there’s a storm coming when they hear thunder and notice dark clouds. But, how is it possible for a pet to know when a storm is coming if there are no dark skies and no thunder? How can they sense a storm when it is far away?
Dogs, for example, have the same five senses that human beings have: the ability to see, hear, feel, taste and smell. However, compared to us, their senses are very acute and more developed. With their highly developed sensory organs, they are able to sense danger quickly. Research revealed that dogs could “smell” changes in the atmosphere. They can also sense the barometric pressure of hurricanes, storms and tornados better than we can. With their acute sense of hearing, they can even hear distant thunder.
Since their finely tuned senses can quickly pick up on significant changes in the atmosphere, pets would then demonstrate a strong negative reaction way before you would hear the first roll of thunder.
So, the best way to take care of your pet during a storm is to keep an eye on the weather alerts. Nowadays, there are several trusted and reliable weather apps that can keep you informed about incoming storms. In some countries, during severe weather conditions, radio and TV weather forecasts are issued five times daily.
A Safe Place
Over the years, category 5 storms –which are becoming more frequent and severe – have left unevacuated and unsafe pets injured and defenseless.
The fact that pets were injured does not mean that they didn’t have a home. There have been many cases where pets were injured inside the house. During heavy downpours and intense storms, there is the risk of your house being flooded. Floodwater and standing waters can be particularly dangerous for your pets and make them vulnerable to infectious diseases and injuries.
Here’s what Mark Peralta, the senior director of National No Kill Advancement at Best Friends Animal Society, has to say about protecting pets during natural disasters:
“If you’ve ever been through a flood, it’s disgusting. There’s disease, and humidity.The most common deadly disease found in the wake of natural disasters is distemper (panleukopenia in cats), an airborne virus that attacks animals’ respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. You have to make sure the animals weren’t just disease-free, but also not still carrying the virus. Usually, there is no cure for distemper: infected animals must be treated with fluids and anti-seizure and anti-nausea medications by the hour until it abates—and it’s usually fatal for kittens, puppies, and animals with pre-existing illnesses.”
So, if you want to protect your pets during a thunderstorm, make sure they stay in a small room without windows. It could be a walk-in closet, a pantry, a laundry room or the bathroom. It is also important to provide them with a comfortable blanket.
Offer Distractions
There are some pets, like cats and dogs, that can be really sensitive to loud rumbling thunderstorm sounds. So, try to keep their mind off the noise by offering the following distractions:
- Put on some music.
- Have the TV on all the time
- Try to engage your pet with a game
- Practice some light and refreshing training exercises with your pet
- Offer a treat
- Cuddle with your pet
