Wildfires
Just saying the word out loud triggers panic and fear. Wildfires often strike without warning and grow quickly, giving people and their pets mere minutes to take action to escape safely from the flames and the smoke.
Consider this: this summer, 425 wildfires occurred recently in eastern Canada and the United States that forced more than 26,000 people to evacuate.
Veterinarians reminded pet professionals and pet parents that poor air quality from wildfires can be as hard on pets as on people.
“The risks of poor air quality to pets are similar to those of people, which mainly impact the heart and the lungs,” said Dr. Aly Cohen, DVM at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “While people can wear masks outdoors, which may minimize inhalation of small particulate matter, unfortunately, our pets cannot. For this reason, decreasing exposure is the best step for protecting our pets.”
Senior pets as well as brachycephalic breeds, including French bulldogs, Boston terriers, Pugs and American bulldogs are more susceptible to poor air quality.
“Exposure may cause irritation to the throat, nose and eyes, making them red or watery,” said Dr. Cohen. “It can also cause coughing, gagging, a fast respiratory rate or difficulty breathing.”
Dangers of Inhaling Smoke
During wildfires, the air quality is often dangerous and hazardous to breathe. Some experts estimate that breathing in smoke-filled air for a whole day can be equivalent to smoking about seven cigarettes per day!
When the air is smoky, protect your pets by following this advice:
- Keep your pets inside as much as possible, with your windows shut.
- If your dog needs to go to the bathroom, only let them out for short periods of time.
- Avoid long walks and activities outdoors.
- Wipe the pet’s paws and body with a damp cloth after outdoor potty breaks to any smoke debris.
Nine Tips to Protect Your Pets
The Veterinarians Without Borders organization offer these nine ways to keep pets safe during wildfires:
- Create an emergency evacuation plan: Before wildfires strike, devise an emergency evacuation plan that includes your pets. Identify pet-friendly evacuation shelters, animal boarding facilities, or even friends and family who can accommodate your pets, if necessary. Keep a list of contact numbers and addresses readily available in case you need to evacuate quickly. Ensure you have pet carriers, harnesses, and leashes ready to go.
- Assemble a pet emergency kit: Prepare a waterproof pet emergency kit.
- Sufficient food and water: Keep at least a week’s worth of pet food and bottled water. Tap water in the area may become contaminated. Bring food in waterproof containers and/or cans with pop-tops.
- Medications: Keep a supply of your pets’ medications, along with any relevant medical records.
- Identification: Ensure your pets wear collars with up-to-date ID tags or have them microchipped, enabling easy identification if your pet gets separated from you.
- Comfort items: Pack familiar toys or blankets to provide comfort and reduce anxiety. Also consider calming sprays for pets approved by veterinarians.
- Keep your pets indoors and monitor air quality: As wildfires approach, keep your pets indoors to protect them from smoke and hazardous particles in the air. Ensure your pets have access to fresh water at all times to keep them well hydrated. Remember: if it’s difficult for a human to breathe, it will also be difficult for your pets. Close all windows and doors to minimize the smoke’s infiltration and use air purifiers if available. Monitor air quality using official sources or apps to determine when it is safe to take your pets outside for bathroom breaks.
- Create a safe space at home: Designate a safe room within your home where your pets can stay during wildfire events. Choose a room with no windows or external walls if possible, and make sure it is free from any potential hazards. Place their emergency kit and some familiar items in the safe space to provide comfort. Additionally, keep your pets away from potential escape routes, such as doggy doors, as panicked animals may try to flee and become disoriented.
- Stay informed and be prepared: Stay informed about the wildfire’s status through reliable sources, such as local authorities. Pay attention to evacuation orders and be prepared to act quickly if the situation escalates. Remain calm around your pets, as they can sense anxiety and stress.
By planning ahead, creating evacuation strategies, and preparing emergency kits, you can minimize the risks and keep your beloved companions safe during these challenging times. The major takeaway is to be prepared. Have a Plan A and Plan B and even Plan C on how to evacuate with pets during any natural disaster.
Learn Pet First Aid
Learn more on ways to keep your cats and dogs safe by visiting http://www.propethero.com. Consider taking our veterinarian-approved online pet first aid/CPR course. Enter this code: CPR – ARDEN MOORE and receive a 10 percent discount! And, if you are interested in becoming a Pro Pet Hero instructor, please click on the BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR button on the home page for more details.