Offgrid Preparation You’re Ready, But What About Your Dog?
In This Article
This article was originally published in Issue 2 of our magazine.
In a recent survey conducted by American Pet Products Association, studies have revealed that roughly 83 million dogs are owned in the United States. With numbers like that, it's no surprise that pets have become an increasingly important extension of our families — and for some, their only family. The smiles they bring and the personalities they share have made them an integral and intimate part of the new family household and further studies reveal just how important they have become.
Further investigation by Kelton Research also reveals that there are blurred lines when it comes to dogs and children. Although humorous (and disconcerting at the same time) the studies show that many consider their dogs as equally important as their children. Needless to say, we can all understand the love of a pet, but even more powerful is the passing of one. While pets are often at the forefront of our minds during our daily routines, in many cases, they are an afterthought when it comes to emergency preparation.
Having a contingency plan that includes your pets is crucial to any pet owner, and it would be most beneficial to include them in any plan ahead of time. That said, be prepared to handle any canine emergencies by studying this buyer's guide which was designed with your pets in mind.
From basic necessities like food and water, understanding the pedigree of your dog is crucial to determining the “hardiness zone” of your geographic area in order to truly understand what you'll need. Take for instance, dogs with thicker coats (think Pomeranians and Chow Chows); even in the coldest of winters in a location such as Southern California, they do NOT need jackets. Whereas you may be cold, the thicker fur coats on dogs within these breeds acts like insulation to keep them warm. As a matter of fact, you can actually “overheat” the dog and potentially cause death or seizures, so again, understanding the conditions you might be facing because of different pedigrees will require different attention.
Another thing to keep in mind is that these products will help increase the chances of your pets surviving and sustaining, but you will also need to plan strategically if you need to leave your home in a crisis. In the event of major catastrophes, many will be forced to flee in search of shelter, but you have to keep in mind (and understand) that some shelters may not allow your pets inside. So plan in advance, stock up on the supplies you feel necessary for your pets, and have a game plan. You don't want to have to plan that during the crisis itself, or even worse, after the crisis, when there will simply be no time or resources to be able to help your four-legged friend survive.
In addition to some of the topics we have discussed, as well as the many online resources you can peruse, you should also consider talking to your local veterinarian about pet needs in the event of an emergency. They can offer crucial advice on what supplies you should stock up on, as well as what unconventional methods you might be wise to use in treating a sick pet. The wealth of knowledge veterinarians have can truly be your best benefit when it comes to ascertaining the exact needs you'll need to meet for your pet in the event of an emergency. In fact, you'd be surprised to find out what you can find in you cupboards to help treat a dog and in the end, the most powerful resource is knowledge, so by all means ask questions and do your research.
83.3 M- Number of owned dogs
47%- Percentage of households that own at least one dog
70%- Percentage of owners with one dog
20%- Percentage of owners with two dogs
10%- Percentage of owners with three or more dogs
1.47- Average number of owned dogs per household
20%- Percentage of owned dogs who were adopted from animal shelters
$231- Average annual amount spent by dog owners on routine veterinary visits
83%- Percentage of owned dogs who are spayed or neutered
Even- Proportion of male to female owned dogs
Source: 2013-2014 statistics, contact the American Pet Products Association Pet Owners Survey
There is plenty of gear on the market that can help you prepare and protect your dog from tough elements and unexpected events. Don't let your canine buddy get left out of your preparation plans. A few standouts of some dog-specific kit are presented in this guide.
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Written by John Jarasa
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