It’s officially hurricane season and according to the NOAA, we’re in for a doozy this year. 

While millions of Americans across the country are beginning their preparations for bad storms, our pets don’t exactly have the luxury of knowing what’s going on or how to handle it. That’s where we, as owners, come in. 

If you’re looking for ways to keep your dog or cat safe during hurricane season, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together our favorite tips and tricks for weathering any storm and making 2024’s abnormal hurricane season an absolute breeze. 

Get your plans in order now

Though hurricanes don’t happen suddenly like tornadoes or wildfires do, they still require some degree of preparation and planning. Here are some pet-specific things that should be part of your hurricane preparedness list.

Never evacuate without your pet

A study conducted by the ASPCA found that 32% of pet owners who have had to evacuate did so without their pet – a statistic that’s at odds with an earlier finding that suggested that 90% of pet owners originally did have plans to evacuate with their dog or cat. 

While the idea of evacuating with your pet seems easy, it’s actually much more challenging without the support of prior planning. Many hurricane and storm shelters are not pet-friendly, so it’s important to do the research and have several shelter options ready to go should you need to evacuate. If you’re looking for a place to start your research, most state and county government websites can provide a list of applicable shelters near you. 

The dangers of leaving your pet behind

Evacuating without your dog or cat can lead to dehydration, starvation, and exposure to hazardous conditions. If it isn’t safe for you to be at home, it isn’t safe for your dog or cat either.

That said, not evacuating because of your pet can be dangerous as well. During 2007’s historic Hurricane Katrina, many New Orleans residents refused to evacuate from their homes because they didn’t want to leave their pets behind. Of the people that did evacuate, around 80% returned to their homes prematurely because they were concerned about their pets, putting themselves and their animals at further risk. 

Put together a bathroom area

You might not need to evacuate during a hurricane, but you certainly can’t take your dog out to go to the bathroom during it either. Having a designated bathroom area is an important (and lesser known!) part of hurricane preparedness. Luckily, it’s an easy enough thing to set up. 

All you’ll need is puppy pads or fake grass and something like a kiddie pool to keep everything contained. Getting your dog used to using this bathroom alternative  is also important, as many won’t feel comfortable going indoors at first. 

Be Ready to Keep them Calm

Did you know that storm phobias are some of the most common fears that a pet will experience? Keeping your pet calm during a storm is one of the top things you can do during it. We recommend confining your pet to an interior room of your house (like a bedroom!) and filling it with comfort items such as a crate, blankets, and/or familiar toys. If you don’t lose power, playing calming music can also help your pet chill out.