Natural disasters are a way of life for people in many areas of the country. There is nothing you can do to stop them, other than move away from your area to avoid a threat. But once you move out of one threat zone, you'll likely move into another one. Instead of trying to constantly run from one kind of disaster or another, it is better to just prepare for what may happen and be ready to act.
This means you need a family preparedness plan. Generally this includes information like where all the members of the family should meet up in a disaster or where to call to let each other know you are OK if you are separated in a disaster. This also includes what items you would want to pack up and take with you if you had to leave in a hurry.
If you have cats, you need to extend the things to think about to include them.
Cats are not the kind of animal to appreciate an upheaval in their life. They like things normal and where they know what is going on in the home. This means they are not going to adjust well to a natural disaster.
There are a few reasons for this:
They know something is coming - Animals have a sense that things are happening and that something bad is coming. In the days before a natural disaster you may notice your cat is spending more time on his cat furniture or in another area he thinks is safe.
They feel your stress - Cats are smarter than most people give them credit for. They know you are stressed out even if you are trying to act normal. They can feel the change in your emotions and they will react to them. Once again, as they know you are dealing with stress they will become stressed out and you may see them curling up on familiar spots like their cat furniture where they feel safe from whatever may be about to happen.
Things are changing - As you start packing up your survival items and documents, your cat will notice that you are pulling out things you don't usually pull out and taking a lot of trips back and forth to the car, this is confusing and scary for them as they know something just isn't right.
The Solution
The best way to deal with your cats in a natural disaster is try to keep some part of their world intact. While you will have to move your cat out of your home when you evacuate, you should try to take a piece of your cat furniture with you. Pick your cat's favorite piece and take it along, if you can. This piece of cat furniture is a space where your cat feels safe and comfortable and like at least some part of their world is normal.
While it won't completely relieve their stress, taking along a piece of your cat furniture will be able to allay some of your cat's fears that his whole world has come apart.
Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of many niche online stores providing consumers with products and information relating to furnishing and decorating indoor and outdoor living spaces. There are also stores perfect for getting your pet nice and situated in your home. Today, she shares her insight when investing in sturdy cat furniture and those necessary dog supplies that your pet might need.
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