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Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, according to the EPA. This means pet parents in wildfire-prone areas–especially states like California, Texas, Washington, and Oregon–need to be prepared.
If you live in a high-risk zone, it’s crucial to have an emergency plan for your pet. In this article, we’ll explore the steps you’ll need to take—and the supplies you’ll need to stock up on—to help keep your pet safe during a wildfire.
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Pack a pet evacuation kit
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Think of potential wildfires with a Boy Scout mentality: Be prepared.
If you’re in an at-risk area, the first priority is packing an emergency preparedness kit for your pet. That’s not something you can throw together during a crisis—you'll need it in advance.
The kit should include anything and everything your dog or cat might need during an emergency evacuation and its aftermath.
Here’s a good start:
Bottled drinking water
Pet carrier/crate
Collar, leash and harness
Bowls for water and food
Food and treats in waterproof containers
Your pet’s prescription or preventative medications (including heartworm, flea and tick medications)
Poop bags
Dog first aid kit
Toys, familiar blankets, bedding or other stress-relieving items.
Identification, including proof of ownership
You can't be scrambling for supplies during a wildfire emergency, especially when local stores might be closed. Be ready to leave quickly with your pet and everything needed to care for them.
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Keep your pet safe from smoke
Even if flames aren't threatening your home, you and your pet aren't necessarily safe. Smoke from wildfires is the most common cause of harm, leading to issues like:
congestion
coughing
drooling
nasal discharge
loss of appetite
It's crucial to protect your pet from smoke, even if the wildfire is distant and you don't need to evacuate. Pay attention to air quality alerts in your area and take action to keep your furry friend safe.
You’ll need to keep your furry friend safe from the effects of smoke, even if the wildfire is far enough away that you don’t actually need to evacuate your home.
This mostly comes down to keeping your pet out of harm’s way and keeping the air in your home as clean as possible. Here are some effective ways to keep your pet safe if there's poor air quality in your area:
Keep your pets indoors as much as possible; this means keeping outdoor potty breaks brief (no long walks!) and bringing outdoor pets inside.
Keep the windows closed.
Refrain from activities that add particles to your home, like smoking, burning candles, using a fireplace or woodstove, frying or broiling foods, using smokeless tobacco, or even using a vacuum cleaner.
Consider using a portable air cleaner to make at least one room in your house a clean air haven.
And even before there’s a wildfire in the vicinity, anyone living in a high-risk area should make sure their air conditioning units have high-efficiency filters.
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Make sure your dog is tagged and microchipped
Microchips are a reliable backup to your pet’s collar and tags, which can easily get lost in the chaos. Microchips store your contact information (be sure to register them correctly), making it easier for shelters or vets to reunite you with your pet.
This is especially important during emergencies like wildfires, when pets might run away.
Identify pet-friendly evacuation spots
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Some disaster shelters and hotels don't allow pets, so it's important to know where your pet will be welcome if you need to evacuate.
If friends or relatives can take in your pet during an emergency, reach out to them now and discuss the possibility. Make sure they know what to expect and that they're comfortable with the arrangement.
Research pet-friendly hotels and shelters in advance, and consider booking a place to stay ahead of time if you know an emergency is imminent.
Websites that list pet-friendly lodging can be helpful, but remember that vacancies can disappear quickly during a crisis. By planning ahead, you can make sure you're not turned away when you need shelter the most!
What to do if your pet's injured during an evacuation
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If your pet gets injured during an evacuation, seek veterinary care immediately. Here are some steps to prepare and act.
Know emergency vet locations
Identify nearby emergency vet clinics, especially 24-hour ones, in advance.
Treat burns
Veterinarians should be your first choice for treating your pet's burns. They may use pain medications, antibiotics, dressings, or even skin grafts for treatment.
If you can’t reach a vet immediately, give them a call for advice. They may advise you to treat burns by immersing your pet in saline or cool water and applying silver sulfadiazine ointment (keep this in your pet's first aid kit). You may need to trim the hair around the burn area.
Address smoke exposure
Smoke is no joke, as we've already said. Severe smoke inhalation can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, causing symptoms like weakness, lethargy, poor coordination, seizures, or coma.
Smoke can also affect your pet’s lungs, leading to breathing difficulties, vomiting, drooling, and eye irritation. Check your dog’s gums; cherry-red gums can indicate severe carbon monoxide poisoning.
Give your vet a call or head straight to emergency services if you are concerned about your pet's symptoms.
Hopefully you and your pet will never find yourselves fleeing from a wildfire, and hopefully the day will come when wildfires are less common, less destructive, and less of a concern.
But even when you're not dealing with natural disasters, your pet is likely to get into some unforeseen scrapes. That's where pet insurance can help!
It's designed to reimburse you for the cost of treating your pet for unexpected accidents or illnesses*. Look into it today!
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