How to rescue your pet during an earthquake

Jul 26,2025
6Min

Pet Rescue Plan

When any animal is frightened, it may bite or run away to safety. This is very important, so do not try to forcefully restrain your pet. If an earthquake occurs while you are walking your dog, get down on the ground before the earthquake knocks you down and run to an open area away from trees, power poles, and buildings.

When the ground starts shaking, your dog will likely panic and try to escape to safety. Try to hold on to the collar as long as possible, but if your safety is threatened, you may need to loosen the collar and the dog will find a safe place on its own.

If it is safe where you are lying down, cover your head and neck with your hands and arms and hold on to something. Animals are very good at finding safe areas to avoid danger, so if the earthquake stops, look for your pet as soon as possible.

If your pet is in a crate or cage, keep them inside. Because it can avoid falling objects from hitting them to the greatest extent. You can take it with you and fly to safety.

If you are at home when an earthquake strikes, let your pet find a safe place to hide. Cats don’t like others to catch them during earthquakes, but some dogs like to be caught, so you can take your dog to hide in a triangular space, or in small places such as bathrooms, kitchens, storage rooms, etc. space.

If your pet struggles to escape or becomes aggressive, let them find a safe place on their own.

Safety first during earthquakes

Some pets may begin to show behavioral changes minutes or even days before an earthquake, such as unwarranted anxiety, stress, pacing, or increased activity. This phenomenon is known as the seismic escape response and may be related to the dog's ability to hear the high-frequency sounds of rocks moving and breaking underground.

Vaccinate pets. During natural disasters, stagnant water, poor sanitation and decaying debris create an excellent breeding ground for bacteria and can increase your pet's chances of getting sick. Scientific vaccination can make your pet healthier and more resistant to sudden disasters.

Training your pet should be strengthened in daily life

If you have trained it well and interacted with people more freely, then it will be easier for it to survive after being lost. Timid pets may not have such luck. A well-trained pet will handle stress more easily than an untrained pet.

If the cat often moves indoors, it is actually a better choice to take him out for a walk regularly. Just pay attention to hygiene.

Dogs can take basic obedience classes and be socialized regularly by visiting new places such as dog parks, pet shops, outdoor cafes, etc.

Create a disaster emergency plan in advance

For example, agree on a safe gathering place with your family to prevent disasters from happening.After that, the unsafe phone number at home could not be reached again. Likewise, make a plan for your pet to prevent emergency use when you are not around. The plan should include the telephone number of the nearest veterinary hospital, pet care center, etc.

If leaving your pet at home is your only option, it's a good idea to give a friend or trusted neighbor a key or a copy of your disaster plan so your pet can be cared for in your absence.

First-aid items that may be needed in an earthquake

Prepare a pet first-aid kit, which may be used in daily life, travel or natural disasters.

The first aid kit should include: blankets, towels, corrugated paper, laser pointers, pet wipes, garbage bags, broad-spectrum antibiotics, syringes, etc.

Specific include: tape, antibacterial ointment, blanket, blunt-edged scissors, cotton balls, cotton swabs, diarrhea medicine, thermometer, tweezers, pet first aid manual, gauze and gauze pads, hydrogen peroxide, rapid hot and cold packs, medication drip set, Pliers, non-stick and waterproof tape, plastic storage container, razor blade (for snake bites), rubber tube or cloth for tourniquet, self-adhesive bandage, sterile wound cleaning solution, petroleum jelly.

Additional items: collar and leash, familiar toys, food and water bowls, one week's supply of non-perishable food and water, one week's supply of pet's medications, phone numbers for pet hotels, clinics, shelters, simple litter box As well as cat litter, manual can opener, medical cases (packed in waterproof bags).

These things can be purchased online, check whether they have expired regularly, and you should check whether they have expired regularly. Food and food items need to be replaced regularly.

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