How to Prepare for a Hurricane with Cats
For Floridians, summer means one thing: hurricane season. As a Florida native, I’ve been dealing with hurricanes my whole life, so I know how important it is to be prepared for a storm. In planning for a hurricane, don’t forget to consider your pets! Here, I’ll be sharing how to prepare for a hurricane with cats, including what to keep in your pet emergency kit, safety considerations to keep in mind, and general hurricane pet preparedness tips.
Table of Contents:
- Hurricane Pet Preparedness
- Concluding Thoughts on Preparing Your Pet for a Hurricane
- Additional Resources for Hurricane Pet Preparedness
- Shop Hurricane Pet Preparedness Essentials
Hurricane Pet Preparedness
Understanding the Risks Around Hurricanes
Hurricanes bring a variety of risks, including flooding, dangerous winds, rip currents, and extensive property damage. Beyond these, hurricanes can also interfere with access to power, water, and transportation. Consequently, it’s crucial to ensure that you have everything you need for both staying at home and evacuating.
Pet owners should consider their pets’ needs just as they would their own when preparing for a hurricane. Make specific plans for your pets to avoid being caught off guard by an unexpectedly severe storm.
Creating a Pet Emergency Kit
When preparing for a hurricane with your cat, compile a list of their essential items. This kit should include supplies to last at least a week, including pet supplies, travel gear, and comfort items. Ensure these items are ready and accessible before a storm approaches.
Pet Essentials, Pet Travel Gear, and Comfort Items
Essential pet supplies include:
- Pet food (dry and wet food)
- Water bottles
- Litter
- Pet medications
You should also have bowls, utensils for feeding your cat wet food, a small litter pan, and any necessary medical accessories ready.
Pet travel gear includes:
- A sturdy carrier (I recommend this Sherpa carrier),
- A harness and leash set (I trust this harness for my cats),
- Pet GPS tag (we use Apple AirTags with these cases),
- Pet ID tags,
- First aid kit for pets,
- Important medical records (physical and digital copies), and
- Anything else your pet might need during an evacuation.
If your pet isn’t already microchipped, consider having your vet microchip them before hurricane season. This greatly aids in identifying and reuniting lost pets with their owners, especially after a storm.
Comfort items for your pet can include:
- Items known to ease stress, such as favorite toys or blankets,
- Catnip (my cats enjoy this spray and these toys!),
- Feliway calming spray, and
- Treats.
Tips for Preparing Your Cat for a Hurricane
Gather your pet’s emergency kit and hurricane supplies in one convenient location as the storm approaches. I like this Sherpa carrier because it has a back pocket for small items like medications and medical records.
Store larger supplies (food, water, bowls, comfort items, a small litter pan, etc.) in an easy-to-carry bag or box nearby. Keep your cat’s harness (with GPS and ID tag) and leash inside the carrier to ensure easy access when needed.
Lastly, trim your cat’s nails to prevent scratches during stressful moments.
Prepare to Evacuate with Your Pet
Know Where to Go
As a pet owner, having an evacuation plan in place is vital. Evacuating early allows you to find pet-friendly accommodations with less stress. Be aware that not all shelters are pet-friendly; for example, Tampa has no public shelters that accept pets. Websites like Pets Welcome and Pet Friendly Travel can help you locate pet-friendly hotels.
Importantly, do not leave your pets behind if you must evacuate. You cannot predict the duration of your absence or the condition of your home afterward. Your pets are family!
Preparing Your Pet to Evacuate for a Hurricane
Keeping a consistent routine for your pet will help alleviate anxiety during a hurricane evacuation. Utilize catnip and Feliway to soothe your cat as you might when traveling normally. Ensure they are wearing their securely attached harness, ID tag, and GPS tag. Always keep them in their carrier, even while harnessed; storms can be unsettling, and unexpected events may occur.
Post-Storm Pet Care
After the storm passes, remain vigilant about your pet’s safety.
If you evacuated, inspect your home for hazards such as broken glass and water damage prior to allowing your pet to roam freely. If you stayed home, check doors, windows, and screened porches for any damage you may not have noticed during the storm.
Once you’ve ensured it’s safe, help both your pet and yourself return to a normal routine. Keep comfort items accessible and consider leaving the carrier open in a common area, providing a safe haven for your cat during this transition.
Concluding Thoughts on Preparing Your Pet for a Hurricane
This hurricane pet preparedness guide primarily focuses on cats, but the advice is applicable to dogs and other pets as well.
Check that your pet’s emergency kit is stocked with enough food and water to last at least a week. Maintain physical and digital notes of microchip numbers, veterinary records, and your pet’s emergency contact information, so you’re prepared no matter the situation.
By preparing in advance, you can endure a storm with reduced anxiety, and even if you never have to use your pet’s hurricane kit (which we hope won’t be necessary), you’ll find comfort in knowing you’re ready!
Additional Resources for Hurricane Pet Preparedness
For more information about hurricanes and pet preparedness, please visit the following resources:
- Preparing for Hurricanes – Ready.Gov
- Prepare Your Pets for Disasters – Ready.Gov
- Make a Pet Plan – Florida Disaster Division of Emergency Management
- Free Pet Safety Pack – ASPCA
- Hurricane Preparedness for Pets – Tampa SPCA
- Pets Welcome Search for Pet-Friendly Hotels
- Pet Friendly Travel Resources
