Pet safety:
Vet offers tips on how to lessen risks to animals during wildfire season.
Fire season has arrived in Northern California, bringing with it a deadly combination of heat, smoke and flames that can affect not only people but their pets.
“When we have poor air quality, our animals breathe in the same air,” said Dr. Wailani Sung, a veterinary behaviorist at the San Francisco SPCA. “We need to be concerned about their response, too.”
Pets are just as vulnerable to the hazards of wildfires as their owners — from burns and smoke inhalation to secondary complications from evacuations. But there are ways to mitigate those risks, experts say, and it begins with a little bit of preparation.
Here are a few things that can keep pets safe during wildfire season.
If there is an air quality advisory, it applies to animals, too. Keep pets indoors as much as possible, the experts
advise, except for letting dogs outside for brief bathroom breaks.
Take extra measures to protect older, more vulnerable pets — especially those with heart and lung issues.
“We know people with breathing difficulties may be a lot more sensitive to the smoke than people without respiratory issues. Dogs and cats are the same way,” Sung said. “Sometimes they may not express difficulties until they’re pretty severely affected.”
She advised owners to watch for signs of smoke inhalation, such as difficulty breathing, eye irritation, nasal discharge, prolonged periods of panting, fatigue or disorientation.
Limit outings
Taking dogs out for a long walk, or letting them play in the park, is not advisable if the smell of smoke is in the air. Avoid any activities that get dogs’ hearts pumping or causes them to pant.
“You don’t want them to suck in the air so much because the air quality is so poor,” Sung said.
She advised taking short walks — long enough for pets to do their business — and then keeping them engaged with sensory activities indoors. These can include anything from delivering their meals in puzzle feeders to using wild animal scent markers on toys and playing hideandseek with them.
Prepare an emergency kit
Pack a plastic tub with at least two weeks’ worth of pet food and essential supplies that can be grabbed quickly during an evacuation.
Make sure to include bowls, leashes and harnesses, a can opener, medicine, toys and plenty of cat litter, plastic bags or other cleanup gear. Include extra water — pets drink more when under stress.
Also include a pet first aid kit, with disinfectant, bandages, tweezers and antibiotic ointment. If possible, add a portable drive with your pets’ digital medical records on it.
“All you have to do is grab that huge tub and put it in the car,” Sung said. “Get all the dogs and cats and birds in there, and you’re set to go.”
She advised having a meeting plan in place, too, in case your family becomes separated, especially in areas with poor reception.
Don’t abandon animals
If ordered to evacuate, always take animals.
“If it’s not safe for you, it’s not going to be safe for them,” Sung said.
Many people mistakenly believe that pets will tap into their primal instincts and take care of themselves in dangerous situations. Animals left behind in wildfires typically perish.
“It’s really important if you evacuate to take them with you and not think, ‘I’m just going to leave the doors and windows open and they will fend for themselves,’ ” Sung said. “That’s not going to be the case.”
Train pets to ride in a car and pet carrier. Remember, not all hotels and motels allow pets. Make a list of those nearby that do.
Keep pets close
Evacuation situations can be highly stressful for people and pets alike. Experts do not recommend dropping them off at a shelter.
“They’re not going to know what’s going on, and that’s going to be scary for them,” Sung said. “If they can’t seek comfort from their family, it might escalate their anxiety.”
If animals are seriously distressed during the evacuation process, she recommends contacting a veterinarian about shortterm antianxiety medications so the focus can stay on more pressing matters.
“You don’t want to suffer because your pet is suffering,” she said. “If your pet is less worried, you can concentrate on other things instead of being displaced and having to take care of your anxious pet.”
Things to watch for are animals pacing, panting, trying to escape, hiding or refusing to eliminate.
When things get bad
If staying at an unfamiliar place, such as a hotel or a friend’s place, stresses out a pet, there are a few steps that can be taken.
“You want to set up safe spaces for your pets,” Sung said. “That might mean providing a carrier for your cat to hide in or a crate for your dog to settle in.”
Try not to leave pets unsupervised while away from home.
But what happens when the human is the one feeling distressed and having an animal companion becomes too much of a burden?
“The safest option for the pet is to stay with the owner,” Sung said. “If it’s not possible, you can look into if any facilities, or a friend or family member, can offer temporary housing for your pets while you get your affairs in order.”
She also suggested putting the word out on social media, asking if anyone can care for a pet until things settle down.
If there are extenuating circumstances, the last resort would be relinquishing animals.
“We don’t want people to do that as their first option,” Sung said. “Once you relinquish your animal, you may never get your animal back. It’s very traumatic for them, too.”