The entire point of calling a situation an emergency is because it was unexpected. You could be sitting down to a picnic in the park with your dog one moment and rushing to pull them back from treeing a squirrel the next.

As we approach National Disaster Preparedness Month in September, it’s important to point out some of the crucial stages you and your animal are likely to experience during an emergency. Before you search for a dog emergency room near me, let’s review some basic information about pet emergencies.

Stage 1: Before a Dog Emergency

The best time to have a DIY dog first aid kit ready to go is before the emergency unfolds. Think about putting together a quick kit of essential items like bandages, wipes, tweezers, medications, food, water, collapsible bowls, and more for roughly three days of supply readiness.

On top of these items, be sure to keep a leash or harness in your car and by your front door. If you can get a digital copy of your dog’s medical records, you can email or text your veterinarian when on your way to dog emergency rooms near you.

You should have a plan in place long before you arrive at the local vet. Working with that medical team to proactively evacuate your pet and keep all identification up to date saves you precious moments when facing an emergency.

One last idea that may help is to know where the local temporary shelters are around your vet. Boarding facilities or close friends help you drop your pet. At the same time, you chase down medications or catch a breath from the emergency before making more decisions.

Stage 2: During a Pet Emergency

The next stage is when the poop has hit the fan. This could be an emergency from your pet getting bumped by a passing golf cart to sudden illness or poison ingestion when you’re not looking.

Again, you’ll want to have a DIY dog first aid kit on hand, just in case, but also think about weather and human emergency events. These may cause you and your pets to shelter, hit an evacuation course, or try to navigate the complex issues around a natural disaster. Remember, other dogs will be present in your shelter, so you want to maintain control of all animals so disease doesn’t spread.

While practicing these steps, you should also monitor your pet's stress levels. A dog can feel overstressed when unwell or in a situation they know isn’t safe for family members. This is when you see your dog suddenly start panting heavier, pace around the house, or even show a little aggression.

If you are dealing with an overstressed pup, keep your emergency contacts handy to visit a close friend and try isolating your animal from other pets until they can calm down.

Stage 3: After an Emergency

When the “all clear” sounds from your emergency and it is time to return home from the vet’s office, you need to clean up. Be sure the pet's area in your home wasn’t affected by whatever emergency occurred. Sweep up broken glasses or plates and try to reestablish a sense of routine.

Some pets may run to hide during an emergency. Always contact local shelters and vet offices if you have a “runner.” That should include getting your pet “tagged” so that when vet offices review the information, they pull up your contact information and address.

Tips for Handling Injured Pets

The struggle is every pet is going to be different. What works well to calm a Labrador may not be the same for a Pitbull or Chihuahua. Customize your DIY dog first aid kit with those familiar treats and toys your pet loves. This way, they view the kit as a helpful object and not as a curiosity.

Talk to your dog in an emergency. Use a soft and welcoming tone so your dogs feel safe, and speak in low tones. Remember, dogs hear way more sounds than you do.

The last bit of advice is to make a plan that you review every year. Talk to other pet owners near you and request a meeting online with your vet. You want to know you are doing everything you can to keep your doggo safe and loved – even in the most challenging of emergencies. The more planning you have under your belt, the quicker you’ll respond because you’ll know what action is the most valuable at that given and unique time.

Wrapping Up

Pet safety in emergencies is crucial. It is why there are so many searches for dog emergency rooms near me on Google. With National Disaster Preparedness Month around the corner, you have no excuse to train your pet while ironing out any behavior that may pose a threat in an emergency.

Our team at Petboboi offers the fantastic Blue Monster doggie toy that will help with stress relief. It is designed with a goofy and fun face your pup will seek out whenever they are feeling slightly uncomfortable or stressed.

Best of all, you need to remain calm. Your dog will respond to how you feel in any given situation. Remaining calm sounds great on paper, but it takes practice and dedication to meditate, exercise, and keep your beautiful dog safe long after National Disaster Preparedness Month.