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Make a pet emergency plan before you need it
Health & safety · 2 min read
In an emergency, nobody wants to search for the vet's number or wonder what the dog ate. Ten minutes of planning now saves panic later.
Why plan ahead
Pet emergencies are rarely convenient. They happen at night, on weekends, and when the person who usually handles the pets is away. A plan means whoever is home, whether that's a teenager, a sitter, or a neighbor, knows exactly what to do and who to call.
The numbers everyone should have
Save these in everyone's phone and post them somewhere obvious at home. In JotAboutMe, each pet's profile has emergency contacts with a tap-to-call button, so a sitter can reach the owner or the vet in one tap.
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Your regular veterinarian, including their after-hours instructions.
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The nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital, with its address.
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ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply).
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Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (a consultation fee may apply).
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The owner's phone number, plus a backup person who can make decisions.
Know where you'd go
Look up the drive to the emergency clinic now, not during a crisis. Note whether they need you to call ahead. Keep a carrier, a leash, and a towel or blanket where you can grab them quickly.
Keep records in one place
An emergency vet will want to know your pet's age, weight, medical conditions, current medications and doses, vaccination status, and allergies. Keep this in a place every caregiver can reach. A phone note works; a shared pet profile works better, because it's the same information for everyone.
Common emergencies to recognize
If you suspect poisoning, call your vet or a poison control line right away, and don't try to make your pet vomit unless a professional tells you to. Have the packaging handy if you can.
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Eating something toxic: chocolate, grapes or raisins, xylitol (a sweetener in some gum and peanut butter), lilies for cats, rodent poison, and human medications are common culprits.
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Heatstroke: heavy panting, drooling, weakness, or collapse after heat or exercise.
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Bloat in dogs: a swollen belly, retching without bringing anything up, and restlessness, which needs immediate care.
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Trouble breathing, seizures, collapse, or uncontrolled bleeding.
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A male cat straining to urinate.
Plan for when you're away
If someone else is caring for your pet, tell your veterinarian and leave written permission and a spending limit for treatment, or a way to reach you quickly. Many clinics will ask who can authorize care. Deciding that in advance saves precious time.
Put this into practice with JotAboutMe
A shared board for every pet: repeating jots for meals and medications, reminders at the right time, and a record of who did what. Free for your household.