Emergency preparation for pet owners in Northamptonshire
January 21, 2024
Blackouts, flooding, car breakdowns, getting snowed in… now is the perfect time for pet owners to start preparing for winter emergencies.
Once the snow and ice hits Northamptonshire, it is essential that you ensure the safety and wellbeing of your pets. Take a look at the advice compiled below from Towcester Veterinary Centre’s team and share with other pet owners in Northamptonshire.
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Call us on 01327 350239 if you would like more advice on this timely topic.
5 pet essentials for emergency prep
1. Assemble an emergency kit for your pet
Our Towcester vet team recommend you prepare a pet emergency kit with enough food, water, medications and first aid supplies to last them at least three days. Pack extra blankets, towels and have a pet carrier to hand along with your pet’s vaccination records and medical history. If your pet usually wears a jumper or coat on cold walks, pack a spare set of those too as well as a collar and lead.
You should keep this emergency kit accessible at home and take it on long (and motorway) car journeys.
2. Stock up on nutrition and plan shelter
Stock up on an ample supply of your pet’s regular food and pick up some bottled water to put to one side. Also, invest in plenty of blankets and ensure your pet has a sleeping area away from cold windows. Heating pads can ensure your pet has a snuggly area to sleep (providing you have the power to heat them).
3. Refill medications and pet first aid kits
Towcester Veterinary Centre recommends stocking up on bandages and antiseptic wipes. Tweezers can also help if you need to remove splinters. If your pet is on medication, try to ensure you have a sufficient supply as you go into the colder months.
4. Plan travel safety and pet identification
Microchips are a legal requirement for dogs as is wearing an ID tag with up-to-date contact information in public spaces. Remember to have a spare lead and collar in your emergency pack in case you need to leave your home in a hurry.
Cat microchipping – book now – is now a legal requirement in England. However, Towcester Veterinary Centre highly recommends cats everywhere should be fitted with a microchip and wear a collar and ID tag with up-to-date contact information too in case you get separated.
It is also wise to ensure you have a pet harness and seat belt fitting or pet carrier in the car in case you need to travel in an emergency.
5. Ensure you have light and communication
Keeping a torch to hand and a charged mobile phone with a list of emergency contacts, including our number – 01327 350239 – is a sensible idea. You may want to look at rechargeable power packs and a phone charging kit for your car. Candles and matches can be good to have for blackouts at home too, but keep them out of your pet’s reach, ensure the room has ample ventilation, and avoid candles with essential oils that are toxic to pets.
As well as the points above, the team at Towcester Veterinary Centre highly recommends including some toys and a familiar blanket to help keep your pet occupied and comfortable should there be a winter emergency. Make sure you share our advice with other pet owners so that all pets in Northamptonshire will be happy and safe – no matter what the weather decides to do!
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