Hurricane Irene Tips for Old Dog Owners!

Hurricane Irene has been in the news non-stop lately. Those on the east coast hopefully picked up extra dog food when they went out for water and people supplies if they have an old dog at home. Earlier this year, I posted about the Thundershirt for Dogs as a way to keep an old dog calm in a storm. It would be a good idea to have that calming tool handy this week as hurricanes are known to be noisy with 100+ mph winds and tornadoes.

Yes, it is the east coast this time where the hurricane force winds will be blowing but even in areas where hurricanes are not common, it is important to remember to be prepared for an emergency with an older dog in the house. Many families have a survival kit for emergencies but did you remember to include necessities for your dog too?

Ideas for a Old Dog Survival Kit

1. Fresh water. It's not just essential for humans, make sure you have enough for your canine friend.
2. Thundershirt or other calming device. It could be a long, frightening experience for your four-legged friend.
3. Extra Food. Don't forget to have a supply of your dogs regular food and treats on hand.
4. Lantern or other axillary light source. Older dogs have trouble seeing and in dim or no light it could be impossible.
5. Prescribed medicines. Again, enough for the duration of the emergency.
6. Puppy pads. Yes...your old dog may revert to going indoors during severe weather and accidents could occur.
7. Leash. Keep an extra leash in your survival kit. In an emergency, you might not be able to get to the one kept by the door.
8. Collapsible Dog Ramp. If stairs are damaged or dangerous, it may make the task of  relocating your senior dog less traumatic. 
9. Dog First Aid Kit. This is essential as an older dog is more apt to get injured during the confusion of a storm or other emergency. 

Okay, it may be a little late to be ready for Hurricane Irene. But as this was the first named hurricane of 2011, Jose, Katia, Lee, Maria or Nate could be next. And across the country other emergencies from floods to blizzards could put your family and senior dog in jeopardy. Will you be ready?

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com

Thunder Fear? Cure Noise Anxiety in Older Dogs!

With Independence Day right around the corner, I am reminded of the time our dog ran away from our backyard one 4th of July. Our thoughtless next door neighbors decided it would be fun to shoot bottle rockets into our backyard at our dog. He was only about five years old at the time--not yet a senior dog but no longer a pup either. He bolted under our deck to escape our fenced yard. We were finally called from someone who found him dazed in an apartment parking lot a few miles from our house. From that day on for the rest of his life, Tikki was terrified of gunshots during hunting season, fireworks and firecrackers and thunderstorms.

Friends were recently discussing on Facebook a new calming shirt that dogs can wear during thunderstorms or when exposed to other loud noises like fireworks. It is called the Thundershirt. It is said to work miracles and when worn during noisy events it will quickly calm a frightened dog. How much easier it would have been during the holidays as well as hunting and storm season if we had had this for our dog. Even into his older years he remained frightened by loud noises.

We still have our older cat and like Tikki he hides during a storm...I think we may try out the Thundershirt for cats!

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws.com