Being Prepared for an Emergency or Natural Disaster
Spring is here, which also means that tornado season is here, and hurricane season is around the corner. While I live in southern California and we don't have severe weather threats, I always had back up supplies for Lucy just in case there was a major earthquake or another disaster. I want to share with you some tips, lists and products that are essential to have in case of emergency or natural disaster.
Last year early in the pandemic we had a food shortage, meats and dry goods were hard to get, especially for those who buy in bulk. People were scared, panic buying and hoarding food, dog food and of course toilet paper (I still do not understand this one). This all led me to research alternative meat sources for members to feed their dogs.
One of the first things I thought of were prepper/survivalist supplies. They are more expensive but the freeze-dried meats unopened can be good for up to 25 years. Once opened they can have a shelf life of up to one year in a zip lock bag with refrigeration, dehydrated, and up to 60 days in a zip lock bag without refrigeration, dehydrated. Some freeze-dried meats are fully cooked and some are raw, so if you choose to buy survival food, be sure to check whether it is cooked or raw.
You can also keep unopened bags or cans of dog food in a waterproof container, just be sure to pay attention to expiration dates and rotate foods.
Canned meats low in sodium and packed in water are great to have stocked. We also use these to entice our dogs to eat when they are being picky. Low sodium canned chicken breast, low sodium albacore tuna or chunk light tuna can all be given to our dogs if they are packed in water. They are a low-fat option and can be used in a pinch or emergency.
Bottled water is crucial to have available in case there is an emergency or natural disaster. You can store cases or gallons of water just about anywhere, even in the trunk of your car.
5-gallon plastic pails with lids are popular in the prepper/survivalist world and can store foods and supplies easily. We have several with ready to eat meals and medical supplies in them along with insulin syringes. Don’t forget that syringes, test strips and medications (Rx or over the counter) also have expiration dates so you want to rotate these items as well.
If you do not have room for 5-gallon buckets you can fill a “go bag” to have on hand. A backpack, duffel bag, travel bag or giant cooler all zip closed and are easy to grab in case you must go quickly. PetTest offers some of these products and I have listed them at the bottom of the blog along with links for your reference.
Checklists are great to have on hand, whenever we traveled with Lucy I had a checklist printed and I went over it several times and double checked everything off. I thought I was being a bit excessive, but we did camp off grid and I wanted to have anything that Lucy may have needed on hand. This checklist is great for emergencies as well.
Having over the counter medications that are safe to give our dogs is a good idea as well. Below is a list of over-the-counter medication that are safe for dogs, but please contact your vet to ensure any medication listed is safe to give to your dog. For example, Imodium AD (loperamide) can have a sedative effect on certain breeds due to a gene mutation. Collie breeds have this MDR1 mutation and should only be given Imodium AD under vet supervision.
I hope that the information I have provided above helps you get emergency supplies together and relieves a bit of stress. I also hope that you never have to use these supplies for an emergency or natural disaster, but if you do, you will have everything you and your sugar baby need on hand.
PetTest products:
PetTest Diabetes Survival Kit - https://shoppettest.com/pettest-diabetes-survival-kit/
Week Away Tote Bag – Large - https://shoppettest.com/large-week-away-tote-bag-medium-large-dogs/
Week Away Tote Bag – Small - https://shoppettest.com/small-week-away-tote-bag-small-dogs/
Glucose SOS for Pets - https://shoppettest.com/glucose-sos-for-pets/
PPE Products for Humans:
Outer Defense PPE Combo Kit - https://shoppettest.com/personal-protective-equipment/
Hands Off PPE Combo Kit - https://shoppettest.com/personal-protective-equipment/
PPE Ultimate Value Combo Kit - https://shoppettest.com/personal-protective-equipment/
KN95 Particulate Respirator Protective Masks - https://shoppettest.com/kn95-particulate-respirator-protective-masks/
Micelle Advanced Hand Sanitizer - https://shoppettest.com/micelle-advanced-hand-sanitizer-4oz-6-pack/
If you are looking for a Facebook community to join for support, I have been an admin in Diabetic Dog Owners for over four years. You can also join Canine Diabetes Support and Information on Facebook as well.
For more conversations, photos, and giveaways check out PetTest on Facebook and Instagram.