Keeping Your Dog Safe During Storms and Flooding

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Tropical Storm Rachel brought heavy rain, flood watches and strong winds to the Coachella Valley this weekend. Storms like this are rare in the desert, which is exactly why they catch people (and dogs) off guard. Here's what we recommend to keep your dog safe during storms and flooding, while the storm passes and in the days after.

Before the storm: be ready to go

• Check ID. Make sure your dog's collar tag has your current phone number and that their microchip registration is up to date. Dogs that bolt during storms are often found miles away.
• Pack a go-bag. Include at least 3 days of food and water, bowls, any medications, a leash and collar, waste bags, a towel, a recent photo of your dog, and copies of vaccine records.
• Have a plan. If you're told to evacuate, take your dog with you. Never leave a dog behind or tied up outside during a storm.

During the storm

• Keep dogs indoors. Wind, lightning and fast-moving water are dangerous, even in a fenced yard.
• Help anxious dogs settle. Thunder and wind can frighten even confident dogs. Give your dog a quiet, comfortable space away from windows, keep the lights on, and use calm, steady energy. A familiar bed or toy and some background noise can help.
• Leash every potty break. A dog that panics at a thunderclap can slip out of a yard or gate in seconds.

Floodwater is not safe for dogs

It might look like a puddle, but floodwater can carry sewage, chemicals, sharp debris and bacteria. Don't let your dog swim in it, play in it or drink from it.

One of the biggest risks is leptospirosis, a bacterial disease spread through contaminated water and mud. Dogs can catch it by drinking standing water or walking through it with cuts on their paws. Symptoms can show up 2 to 20 days after exposure and include:

• Fever, low energy or not eating
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Drinking and urinating more than usual
• Muscle soreness or not wanting to move
• Yellowing of the eyes or gums (get to a vet right away)

Leptospirosis can also spread to people. If your dog went through floodwater or mud, watch them closely and tell your vet about the exposure. There's a vaccine for leptospirosis. Ask your vet whether it makes sense for your dog.

After the storm: walk smart

• Check your fence and gates. Wind and runoff can knock down fence panels, wash out soil under gates or leave gates open. Walk your whole yard before letting your dog out off-leash.
• Watch for snakes. Flooding pushes rattlesnakes and other wildlife out of their usual spots and toward homes, garages and debris piles. Keep your dog on a leash, and if your dog is bitten, go straight to an emergency vet. Our rattlesnake avoidance training teaches dogs to steer clear.
• Stay out of washes. Desert washes and dip crossings can flood fast and stay dangerous after the rain stops. Avoid them on walks.
• Look for hidden hazards. Mud can hide broken glass, metal and sinkholes. Stay away from downed power lines and standing water near them.
• Watch for mushrooms. Rain can bring up wild mushrooms in yards and parks, and some are toxic to dogs. Remove any you find.
• Rinse and dry paws. After walks, wipe off mud, rinse paws with clean water and check pads for cuts.

For more on everyday trail dangers, see our guide to desert hazards for dogs.

When to call your vet

Call right away if your dog:

• Was injured or bitten during the storm
• Drank or swam in floodwater and starts showing any symptoms above
• Seems weak, very tired or in pain
• Ate something they found in storm debris

Frequently asked questions

Is floodwater dangerous for dogs?

Yes. Floodwater can carry sewage, chemicals, sharp debris and bacteria such as leptospirosis. Keep your dog from swimming in, playing in or drinking from standing water after a storm, and tell your vet if your dog was exposed.

How can I calm my dog during a thunderstorm?

Give your dog a quiet, comfortable space away from windows, keep the lights on and stay calm and steady yourself. A familiar bed or toy and some background noise can help, and every potty break should be on leash.

Are rattlesnakes more active after desert storms?

Flooding can push rattlesnakes and other wildlife out of their usual spots and toward homes, garages and debris piles. Keep your dog leashed after a storm and go straight to an emergency vet if your dog is bitten.

We're here to help

Storm season is a reminder of why solid training matters. A dog with a reliable Come, a calm Place and good leash manners is a much safer dog when things get chaotic. Our Real-World Obedience and Puppy Training programs build exactly that. If you'd like help building that kind of reliability, book a free evaluation with us. We serve families across the Coachella Valley and Southern California, from Palm Springs and Palm Desert to Indio and Corona.

This article is for general information. Always follow your veterinarian's advice for your dog.

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