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Prepare Your Pet for the Upcoming Nor’easter

Make sure your pet is ready before the storm arrives

A powerful nor’easter is expected to impact New England, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding, and the potential for power outages.

As you prepare your home for the approaching storm, don’t forget to plan ahead for your pets too!

Severe weather can create unexpected situations, and having supplies ready ahead of time can help keep you and your pets safe. In the event of a power outage, flooding, evacuation, or other emergency, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) recommends having a sturdy, comfortable crate or carrier on hand and preparing a pet emergency kit that is packed and ready to go.

Pack a Pet Emergency Kit

Keep your pet’s emergency supplies together in a water-resistant backpack or lightweight bag that can be easily grabbed if you need to leave home.

Your kit should include:

    • Food and water, at least three days’ worth
    • Portable food and water bowls
    • Any necessary medications, ideally enough for two weeks
    • Pet first aid supplies
    • Collar or harness with current ID tags
    • Extra leash
    • Cat Litter, litter box, or other sanitation supplies
    • Paper towels and trash bags
    • Copies of veterinary and vaccination records stored in a waterproof container
    • A recent photo of you with your pet, in case you are separated
    • Familiar toys, treats, or bedding to help provide comfort

Don’t forget to regularly check your emergency kit and replace expired food, medications, or other supplies as needed.

Plan Ahead for Your Pet’s Veterinary Needs

Before severe weather arrives, take a moment to make sure you have enough of any medications your pet may need and that important veterinary and vaccination records are easy to access.

If your pet has ongoing medical needs, planning ahead can help ensure you have the supplies and information you need if travel becomes difficult or your normal routine is disrupted by the storm.

ARL’s full-service, high-quality veterinary hospital, Boston Veterinary Care (BVC), is committed to helping pets stay healthy throughout every season. Located in Boston’s South End, BVC provides compassionate veterinary care while supporting ARL’s mission to help animals in need.

Learn more about BVC and its services.

Make Your Pet Easy to Identify

Strong winds, unfamiliar noises, or an emergency evacuation can create stressful situations for pets. If you and your pet become separated, you’ll want to be able to locate and identify them as quickly as possible.

Make sure the information on your pet’s collar and identification tags is up to date.

Microchipping your pet is another important way to help reunite you if you become separated. If your pet is already microchipped, take a moment before the storm to make sure your contact information is current.

It’s also a good idea to keep a recent photo of your pet, as well as a photo of you and your pet together, with your emergency supplies.

Know Where to Turn for Additional Support

ARL is not an emergency response agency and does not provide public emergency sheltering or disaster-response services during severe weather events. If you need additional assistance or information during the nor’easter, there are resources available to help you plan for the safety of both you and your pets.

The American Red Cross offers pet disaster-preparedness information, including guidance on emergency kits, evacuation planning, and identifying safe places to take your pets during an emergency.

Massachusetts residents can also visit the State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team (SMART) for information and resources related to animal emergency preparedness and disaster response throughout the Commonwealth.

If you are facing an immediate emergency, follow instructions from your local emergency management and public safety officials. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact an emergency veterinary hospital.

Prepare Now

Don’t wait until the weather takes a turn to gather supplies. Take some time before the nor’easter arrives to check your pet’s food, medications, identification, carrier, and other emergency essentials.
A little preparation now can help ensure that every member of your family, including the four-legged ones, is ready for the storm.

Stay safe, New England!

What Every Dog Owner Should Know About Allergies

Our Veterinary Team Provides Expert Advice on What to Watch for and What You Can Do About It

Spring and summer are wonderful seasons for dogs, but for many, warmer weather also brings allergies. If your pup has been scratching more than usual, chewing at their paws, or shaking their head, allergies could be the culprit.

What Causes Allergies in Dogs?

The three most common types of allergies in dogs are environmental allergies (pollen, grass, dust mites, molds), flea allergies (an intense reaction to flea saliva, even from a single bite), and food allergies.

Symptoms can occur year-round but often peak in the spring and summer. While allergies can’t always be cured, they can usually be managed so your dog stays comfortable.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has Allergies?

Allergic dogs don’t typically sneeze or get watery eyes the way people do. Instead, allergies usually show up in the skin. Keep an eye out for:

    • Frequent scratching, especially on the belly, armpits, or sides
    • Red or irritated skin
    • Rubbing the face on furniture or with their paws
    • Excessive paw licking or chewing
    • Reddish-brown staining of the fur on their paws
    • Hair loss or skin sores
    • Recurring skin or ear infections

Boston Veterinary Care (BVC) Pro Tip: Reddish-brown fur staining around the paws is a telltale sign of chronic licking and a classic sign of allergies that’s easy to miss.

Don’t Forget About Fleas

It only takes one flea bite to set off a reaction in a sensitive dog. Year-round flea prevention is the best defense, even if you never see fleas on your pet.

Allergies and Ear Infections

Recurring ear infections are often allergy related. Allergies cause inflammation in the ear canal, creating the perfect environment for yeast and bacteria to grow. Watch for head shaking, scratching at the ears, odors, or discharge.

Boston Veterinary Care (BVC) Pro Tip: Recurring ear infections are a red flag that something bigger may be going on. Don’t wait to check in with your vet!

What Can Be Done?

A full-service veterinarian can help by recommending year-round flea prevention, conducting a diet trial to rule out food allergies, and prescribing medications like Apoquel® or Cytopoint® to control itching. Diagnostic testing or a referral to a veterinary dermatologist may also be recommended. Long-term improvement depends on treating the root cause.

The Boston Veterinary Care Team is Here to Help

If your dog is dealing with ongoing allergy symptoms, recurring ear infections, or skin issues, Boston Veterinary Care (BVC), the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s full-service veterinary clinic, is here to help.

BVC provides comprehensive medical, surgical, and preventative care, including diagnostic testing and long-term allergy management. As a nonprofit clinic, 100% of proceeds support the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

Boston Veterinary Care: 10 Chandler St. Boston, MA l (617) 226-5605 | bvc@arlboston.org | bostonvetcare.com