Pet Safety Tips: Monsoon Season Dangers

The monsoon season brings with it unpredictable weather patterns and unique dangers.

Even the dry deserts of Arizona are prone to heavy rains, thunderstorms and flooding. Keep your pets safe with these Arizona Humane Society pet safety tips.

Keep Pets Inside During Dust Storms

Keep pets indoors. Even the calmest pet can become frightened and attempt to run away, jump over a backyard wall or escape under a gate. Pets' eyes are also more susceptible to damage from blowing dust and debris. Be sure to shelter your pet in a space that is safe from the wind. If you must take your pet outside temporarily in poor conditions, Doggles (dog goggles) are a great way to keep them safe. These are available in a variety of sizes at AHS' Petique Retail and Adoption Centers and other major pet supply stores. Pets left outside are also more prone to Valley Fever, an airborne fungus that can lead to a lung infection and an intense course of treatment.

Dealing With Thunder Phobia

Many pets fear the sound of thunder and can experience increased anxiety. To help reduce this fear, there are several things you can do.

• Distract your dog by giving them a mental task, such as performing tricks or playing with a toy.
• Pick a room and create a safe haven for your pet with bedding and their favorite toys. Playing music or turning on the TV can also help drown out the sound of the storm.
• Calming products like Thundershirts and DAP (dog appeasing pheromones) have proven to be helpful at calming pets in many cases.
• If anxiety persists, consult your veterinarian for additional solutions.

Emergency Pet Kit & ID

Prepare a box with a supply of bottled water and pet food with an extra leash and collar that can quickly be grabbed in case of emergencies. Also include a copy of your pet's medical records. Additionally, be sure your pet wears a collar, ID tag and is microchipped. A microchip greatly increases the odds that you will be reunited with your pet should it run away.

Pet Alert Sign

It is always helpful to display a "Pet On Premises" sign at your residence. If you are unable to reach your house due to storm conditions or were forced to leave a pet behind during an evacuation, it will alert emergency personnel in the area.