How To Prepare Your Home and Pets for Blizzard Conditions

Hearing your local weather report announce an impending storm with blizzard conditions can be highly stressful, especially if you're someone who owns pets. After all, your dog might enjoy spending time running around the yard daily, or your cat could enjoy sitting on the fence and watching the neighborhood for hours on end - all activities that can't occur in such harsh winter weather. Whatever your situation, knowing you'll have to stay indoors with your pets, potentially for days without leaving the home, can be concerning if you aren't prepared. If you're looking for guidance on how to prep your home for a blizzard in a way that supports the needs of you and your pets, here are some useful safety tips to keep in mind before the big storm hits your area.

Pet Food and Water Should Be Stocked

When you're on the verge of encountering a major storm or even a natural disaster, it's important to have an area of your home fully stocked with pet food, enough to last you 10-14 days at a minimum. If you're used to buying fresh or frozen varieties, stick to canned and dry food for longevity, or even freeze-dried options that can be rehydrated in a pinch. You should also invest in plenty of bottled water to be used for emergency backup situations in case utilities go down. It's not necessarily crucial to have your cat or dog's favorite treats on hand, but they could be useful for keeping your pet calm with their sense of familiarity, as well as be used as a reward for good behavior during rough times. Once you have a reasonable amount of supplies on hand, be sure to check expiration dates throughout the year when times aren't as dire.

Store a Backup Set of Your Pet's Medication

Just as with your food and water supply, it's vital to keep a backup portion of your cat or dog's medication handy for emergencies. Ask your veterinarian to give you extra dosages before any impending storms, and keep them safely locked away until they're required. Also, be sure to add some extra vitamins, supplements , dietary aids and more that are a usual fixture in your pet's daily routine, so as not to disturb their health or fitness during many potential days of being stuck indoors. Think of this assortment of vitamins and medications as you would your own emergency first aid kit, always at the ready should disaster strike. With this in mind, you can make a list of essentials to have prepared before the onset of the next big storm.

Clear an Area for a Pet Potty

Once your pet's diet and hydration needs are met, you're undoubtedly going to need a reasonable potty area as a result. If you already know you're going to have to go without walks for your dog, clear a certain spot in the snow near your door for your furry friend to do his or her business quickly and efficiently before coming back indoors. This way, you won't be forced to try and meander out into heavy rain or snowfall every time your pet needs a place to go to the bathroom, keeping both you and your dog safe and comfortable for the majority of your time spent stuck inside. If you have enough time to stock up on other options before the blizzard arrives, you can resort to using potty pads originally used for house-training as an alternative resource. Cat owners often already have a litter box indoors, making it easy for a cat to do his or her business without much preparation.

Have Winter Weather Gear Available for Your Dog

Should the heavy snowstorm let up for a while and you decide to venture outdoors for some fresh air, be sure you have warm garments to dress your dog in before heading outside. Waterproof coats and cozy sweaters are readily available these days, as well as efficient dog boots that can prevent the possibility of frostbite and help your canine avoid any danger of ice melt chemicals seeping into his or her paw pads. Ideally, you'll want to try and practice putting your dog's booties on during a normal day to get your pet used to them before a blizzard or other harsh weather event occurs, but just having a pair at your disposal is crucial, regardless.

Only Allow Your Dog a Short Distance to Roam

Spending so much time indoors can lead to cabin fever, meaning you and your pets might be eager to bust open the doors and run out onto the snow-covered landscape. However, as much as your pets might want to flee for freedom, it's important to keep them close until you have a better grasp of your surroundings. Keep your dog on a leash , and ensure that it's tied to your body directly in case you slip or fall on ice and release the leash from your grasp by accident. Meanwhile, if your dog is not already microchipped, it could be wise to invest in a GPS dog collar that can track your canine's whereabouts if he or she gets loose. Once you're ready to head back inside, take extra care to wipe down your dog's fur, underbelly and paws with a fresh towel. Removing all snow chunks or remaining ice melt can help prevent your pets from trying to groom themselves, which can lead to them consuming possible harmful chemicals or waste that could make them sick.

Load Up On Toys and Treats

Anyone caring for kids knows it's important to always have plenty of toys and games on deck for inclement weather days, and there's no difference when it comes to your fur babies! Plan ahead and load up on a variety of fun chew toys and tasty treats to entertain your pets for hours while you're stuck in your home for the foreseeable future.

There's not always time to adequately prepare you and your pets for an impending blizzard. However, if you have advance notice or are just taking extra precautions, relying on one or more of these helpful tips can help guide you in the right direction for the safety of everyone in your household.