Dog owners can benefit from dog disaster preparedness. June is National Pet Preparedness Month. In the same case with humans, first aid skills can help you rescue your dog’s life, reduce the chances of excessive injuries, and activate a faster recovery. Knowing first aid is a crucial part of dog disaster preparedness.

First aid for dogs might not be the top idea in your mind or for your fellow dog owners, but it is an essential skill you should master. Why the insisting on the first aid skill? Because your dog is surrounded by numerous hazards every day. All these can potentially contribute and trigger fatal accidents or sometimes are life-threatening situations.

Why You Need to Take First Aid Courses For Dog Disaster Preparedness

You should know how to recognize intestinal blockages, which is life-threatening to dogs. First aid skills will help you master how to bandage a dog if their skin has has been scratched or pierced. Many first aid courses can help you as a dog owner and general knowledge that meets pet industry professional standards.

The most interesting thing about first aid courses is that they entail various subjects and topics, including treatment and prevention of injury and illness. The courses also provide information on keeping dogs clean and healthy, choking, external and internal bleeding, seizures, sprains, heat and cold injuries, allergic reactions, poisons, CPR and artificial respiration. Pet first aid is never a substitute for veterinary care, so a follow up with a veterinarian is always recommended.

Is First Aid and Disaster Preparedness Knowledge a Replacement of Veterinary Care?

Note that dog first aid skill is not a replacement for veterinary care; it only helps you to handle emergency conditions by realizing the problems early enough. When you recognize the problem in time, you make an effective approach and act quickly and appropriately. These tips can buy you precious minutes for your friend on the way to the veterinarian. First aid is one of the best ways you can be mindful of dog disaster preparedness.

National Pet Preparedness Month promotes a robust awareness in training pet owners about disaster preparedness and first aid. Being equipped with basic first aid skills can help pet owners identify and solve some signs of health issues in their dogs and cats.

Tips for Dog Disaster Preparedness and First Aid

1. Identify and understand the possibilities. First, scan your environment and see if you can find different types of man-made or natural disasters. Examine and assess how they can occur, trigger the actions, and develop an effective plan. Have a plan on how to handle different situations in case they occur. Understanding and planning for future uncertainties are like the insurance cover for your dog. 
2. Create Your Response Plan. Different disasters need unique courses of action. The sooner you develop a comprehensive disaster plan, the more you spare time have will have to prepare.
3. Keep Updating Identification. Ensure you keep your dog wears a well fitting collar with current identification at all times. The identification details entail your name, contact details and rabies tag since sometimes you will not be at home. The details will help you handle situations effectively even if you are away from home. Also consider microchipping for your friend.
4. Keep your dog’s records handy. Create a file for each dog if you have many. The files should contain vaccination dates, health history and a recent photo. Store the files in a secure and safe place.
5. Research animal-friendly environments. If a disaster is forcing you to evacuate to a new environment, then research the next places. You don’t need to meet the same threats that may force you to shift again, which as a result, may waste your monetary resources. Ensure the next environment is animal friendly.

In addition, always consult with a qualified specialist when you can’t handle some situations. Have a few numbers that you need to contact when some conditions are above your capabilities. Dog disaster preparedness is always evolving and changing. Make sure to have a plan for your best friend!