How to keep your pets safe in severe weather

PENNSYLVANIA (WHP) — Severe weather season is now. You need to make sure that you have a plan in place to not only protect yourself when threatening weather strikes, but your pets too!

Taking action when severe weather approaches must be efficient and fast. If a tornado warning is issued, you should know exactly what to do, right away, without even thinking about it. Would you know exactly where to go to seek shelter? Would you know exactly how to keep your dog or your cat safe? Our animal companions are loved ones too!

If you think that you'll just be able to round them up the last second and get them to the basement, think again.

Where does a cat often go when you're trying to get them? Under the bed! This isn't a terrible place to go... but it may be the bed on the third floor. When a warning is issued, you don't have time to search for your cat and grab them from under the bed, especially if that means taking the bed apart and lifting the mattress.

Your dog may go to the interior bathroom and find seek refuge in the bathtub, but it may be the bathtub on the second flood.

You need to be more proactive with pets. Get them in the basement or on the lowest floor of your home before a warning is issued.

Crates are a fantastic extra layer of safety when it comes to keeping your animals safe as they can protect them from flying debris. Some dogs and cats already have a pretty positive association with their crates.

I like to say, don't wait to crate!

Not having a plan when dangerous weather approaches can get you more anxious and stressed when you're trying to figure out what to do. When you're stressed, your pets can sense it and that can make them stressed. Have a plan, practice the plan, know the plan. Your furball will thank you.