Hidden Dangers for Pets in the Aftermath of Severe Weather
The storm has passed, the floodwaters are receding, and the worst is over. But for your pets, the danger may be just beginning.
The immediate aftermath of severe weather is one of the most hazardous environments a pet can be in, and most of the threats are invisible, unfamiliar, or easy to dismiss. Here's what to watch for, and what to do, in the hours and days after a major storm.
Floodwater: The Contamination You Can't See
Within hours of flooding, standing and moving floodwater becomes a toxic mix of raw sewage, agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, heavy metals, and bacteria at concentrations that can make both animals and humans seriously ill. Your dog's instinct will be to drink it, wade in it, and lick their paws after walking through it. Every one of those behaviors is dangerous.
Leptospirosis is one of the most significant flood-related threats to pets and deserves special attention. This bacterial infection, carried in the urine of rodents, raccoons, and other wildlife, spreads readily through contaminated water and soil. Dogs can contract it through mucous membranes, skin cuts, or ingestion. Symptoms include sudden fever, vomiting, muscle pain, lethargy, and, in severe cases, kidney or liver failure. Critically, leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transmitted from infected pets to humans. If your dog has been in floodwater and develops any of these symptoms, this is a same-day veterinary emergency.
What to do: Keep pets out of floodwater entirely if possible. If they do come into contact with it, rinse them thoroughly with clean water and soap, paying special attention to paws, legs, and underbelly. Do not let them lick themselves until they've been cleaned. Watch for signs of illness for 5 to 7 days, and contact your vet immediately if any appear.
Debris: The Ground Is a Minefield
After a tornado or severe wind event, the ground around your home is covered in hazards that your pet cannot identify or avoid on their own: broken glass, exposed nails and screws, splintered wood, torn metal sheeting, and shattered ceramics. Paw lacerations and puncture wounds are among the most common post-storm veterinary injuries.
For cuts and lacerations:
Apply gentle pressure with a clean gauze pad to control bleeding.
Rinse the wound thoroughly with sterile saline.
Apply a light bandage, but do not wrap too tightly.
Get to a vet. Even small puncture wounds can introduce bacteria deep into tissue and become seriously infected within 24 to 48 hours.
For suspected nail or deep puncture wounds: Do not attempt to remove embedded objects. Stabilize what you can and get to a veterinarian immediately.
Put protective booties on your dog before allowing them outside in the immediate aftermath of any storm that has left debris. If booties aren't available, carry small dogs rather than letting them walk through the debris field until you've done a visual sweep of the area.
Downed Power Lines
A downed power line is lethal. Keep your pet on a leash at all times in the post-storm environment. Dogs and cats may investigate downed lines with their noses, and they will not survive contact with a live wire. Never assume a downed line is de-energized. Stay at least 50 feet away and keep your pet well clear until utility workers confirm the area is safe.
Water near downed lines is equally dangerous, as electricity can travel through standing water or wet ground over significant distances.
Displaced Wildlife: The Neighbors You Don't Expect
In the aftermath of severe storms, you may encounter animals in unusual places that would not normally come near your home: snakes displaced from their habitats seeking higher ground, fire ant mounds floating in floodwater (they form living rafts and are extremely aggressive when disturbed), raccoons and rodents forced into new areas, and occasionally larger wildlife.
Snake bites are a significant post-flood risk. Keep pets on a short leash during outdoor excursions after a flood. If your pet is bitten by a snake, keep them as calm and still as possible to slow the spread of venom, and get to a veterinary emergency clinic immediately. Do not cut the wound, apply a tourniquet, or attempt to suck out venom. These measures are ineffective and can cause additional harm.
Fire ant encounters can be life-threatening to small pets if the exposure is significant. If your pet has run through a fire ant concentration, rinse them thoroughly with water immediately and check for signs of allergic reaction (swelling, difficulty breathing, collapse), which require emergency veterinary care.
Toxic Plants
This is one of the least-anticipated post-storm dangers. High winds and flooding uproot and scatter plants across yards and neighborhoods, and some of the most common ornamental plants in American landscaping are highly toxic to pets. A plant that was safely contained in a neighbor's yard last week may now be torn apart and distributed across your lawn.
Plants to be aware of include azaleas, oleander, sago palm, foxglove, and yew, all of which can cause serious or fatal toxicity in dogs and cats, even in small amounts. If you notice your pet chewing on or eating any unfamiliar plant material in the aftermath of a storm, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 immediately, even before symptoms appear. Time matters enormously with plant toxicity.
Signs Your Pet Needs Emergency Care Right Now
Get to a veterinary emergency clinic immediately if your pet shows:
Collapse or inability to stand
Labored or abnormal breathing
Pale, white, or blue gums
Uncontrolled bleeding
Seizures
Signs of severe pain (crying, inability to get comfortable, guarding a body part)
Suspected snake bite or significant toxic exposure
Any signs of shock: extreme lethargy, rapid breathing, cold extremities, weak pulse
After a major storm event, emergency veterinary clinics in affected areas often see a surge in patients. If you believe your pet needs urgent care, don't wait to see if they improve on their own. Call ahead if possible, and go.
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