We’ve had some crazy weather in Houston last week, so I wanted to check in with you all!

I hope you and your pets made it through safely. With such little warning, I’m sure some of my storm-phobic clients didn't have time to prepare with medication. Your cats and dogs might still be feeling anxious and stressed. The big, scary storms on both Thursday and Friday, the changes in their environment, and the disrupted routine can take a toll. Give yourself and your pets some grace—they might still be hiding, reluctant to go for long walks, have a poor appetite, or be more reactive. If you've been working on your dog's reactivity, it might feel like you've taken some steps back. This is understandable. Take things slowly, revert to easier tasks in your training, and give everyone time to recover. You’ve got this!

We were fortunate to get through it relatively unscathed. Our back fence is damaged, and we only got our power back last night, but we’re safe and back in business. The lack of cell service and data, and the inability to contact anyone for the first couple of days, was quite disconcerting.

Here are a few tips for pet parents, especially as we’re entering hurricane season and might face something similar sooner than we’d like:

1. Check your fences. Make sure all your pets are chipped (and registered!) and wearing collars with tags with contact information before any weather event.

2. Crate train your cat. Ensure their carrier is seen as THE safe space. Leave it out at all times, so in case of a scary event, they choose to go there, making evacuation easier if needed.

3. Prepare with medication. Talk to your veterinarian and have some anti-anxiety medication on hand if you know your dog or cat gets stressed by storms.

4. Be ready. Stock up on food and water for your pets. If a big storm or a hurricane is on the radar, keep their crates, leashes and bedding handy. Don’t forget their medication, vaccination records, favorite treats and any comfort items!

5. Keep your pets cool. If your power is still out, remember that pets are at an increased risk of heatstroke and heat exhaustion, especially breeds with short noses. Offer icy water, give your dogs a cool shower, hop in a car with the AC on, and go for a drive in the neighborhood or visit an air-conditioned pet-friendly store for some relief.

Stay safe, and hopefully, we can all get back to our routines soon!