Bay Area Pet Emergency Essentials: Earthquakes, Toxins, and Wildlife

Earthquake Preparedness for Pets

The Bay Area sits on multiple active fault lines, and a major earthquake is not a matter of if, but when. Pets are especially vulnerable during earthquakes — they panic, escape through broken windows/doors, and can be injured by falling objects.

Your pet earthquake kit: - 7 days of food and water in a grab-and-go bag - Medications, vaccination records, and microchip info - Leash, collar with current ID, and a carrier - Recent photos for identification if separated - Comfort items (favorite toy, blanket)

During an earthquake: Pets will try to hide or flee. Do NOT chase them — you'll both be in danger. After shaking stops, secure your pet immediately. Check for injuries. Keep pets indoors — aftershocks cause additional panic and escape.

After an earthquake: Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered, disorienting pets. Keep dogs on leash for at least a week. Check your yard for broken glass, exposed wires, and gas leaks before letting pets outside. More pets go missing after earthquakes than during them.

Foxtail Grass: The Bay Area's Painful Plague

Foxtail grass (Hordeum murinum) is ubiquitous throughout the Bay Area from late spring through fall. These barbed grass seeds are designed to burrow forward — they enter ears, noses, eyes, paws, and even penetrate skin, migrating through tissue and causing abscesses, infections, and organ damage.

Where they're found: Every trail, park, vacant lot, and unmowed area in the Bay Area. They're especially dense in the East Bay hills, along BART trails, and in open spaces throughout the Peninsula.

Warning signs by location: - Ears: Head shaking, pawing at ear, tilting head - Nose: Violent sneezing, bloody nasal discharge - Eyes: Squinting, tearing, swelling - Paws: Limping, licking, swelling between toes - Skin: Draining wound that won't heal

What to do: Foxtails NEVER come out on their own — they only migrate deeper. If you suspect a foxtail, seek veterinary care promptly. Ear and nose foxtails require sedation for removal. Migrated foxtails may require surgery and imaging.

Marijuana Edible Ingestion

Like San Francisco, the broader Bay Area has seen an explosion in marijuana edible ingestion by pets. Dogs find discarded edibles in parks, on sidewalks, and at outdoor events throughout San Jose, Oakland, Berkeley, and Palo Alto.

Warning signs: Wobbling, dilated pupils, drooling, urinary incontinence, slow heart rate, hypothermia, and in severe cases, seizures and coma.

What to do: Call our emergency vet immediately. THC toxicity can last 24-72 hours. Do NOT wait to see if symptoms improve. Edibles often contain chocolate and xylitol, making them doubly dangerous.

Coyotes Across the Bay Area

Coyotes have established populations in every Bay Area city, from the hills of Oakland to the suburbs of San Jose. They use creek corridors, BART rights-of-way, and park systems to move through urban areas.

Highest-risk areas: East Bay hills, Coyote Creek trail (San Jose), Tilden Regional Park, and any neighborhood bordering open space.

Prevention: Keep small dogs on leash. Keep cats indoors. Do not leave pet food outside. If you encounter a coyote, make yourself large and make noise — do NOT run.

If your pet is attacked: Apply pressure to wounds and rush to the emergency vet. Coyote bites can cause serious internal injuries not visible externally.