If you have been checking the weather Los Angeles forecast this week, you have seen the change coming. After a warm stretch, forecasters are tracking three storm systems lined up off the Pacific. According to KTLA’s November 11 report, the National Weather Service expects light to moderate rain to arrive Friday and continue into Saturday morning, with about a third to a half inch for most areas and roughly half that inland. A break is expected Sunday, then more rain Monday into Tuesday, and possibly another round midweek. A beach hazards statement is in place for Los Angeles and Ventura counties because of rip currents and high surf.

For people, that mostly means slick freeways, a jacket and a wet commute. For dogs and cats, a sudden turn to wind, rain and cold can be a bigger deal than it looks. Here is a practical checklist to get your pets through the next week of storms safely, whether you live in the LA basin, the Valley, Ventura County or anywhere else on the Southern California coast.

Why storms are harder on pets than we expect

Southern California pets are not used to weather. Many dogs here have rarely walked in steady rain, and plenty of indoor-outdoor cats have never had to find shelter from a real downpour. A few things make storm days risky:

• Fear and bolting. Wind, thunder, rattling gates and the sound of heavy rain on a roof can scare pets into running. Animal shelters often see more lost pets after storms, fireworks and other loud events, because a frightened pet can slip through a gap it would normally ignore.
• Damaged fences and gates. Wind can blow a gate open or knock a loose fence board out. A yard that was secure on Thursday may not be on Saturday.
• Fast temperature drops. Forecasters expect temperatures to fall from well above average to below average over a few days. Short-haired dogs, small dogs, seniors and very young animals feel that change quickly, especially when they are wet.
• Runoff and standing water. Storm water picks up oil, fertilizer and other chemicals from streets. Puddles are not a safe place for a pet to drink, and paws should be wiped after walks.
• Coastal hazards. High surf and rip currents are dangerous for dogs as well as people. Waves can sweep a dog off rocks or a jetty, and owners who go in after a pet are at real risk too.

Before the rain starts: a quick prep list

• Walk the fence line. Look for loose boards, gaps under gates and latches that do not close firmly. Fix what you can before Friday.
• Check collars and tags. Make sure your phone number is current and readable. If your pet is microchipped, confirm the chip is registered to you with up-to-date contact details. That one step brings a lot of lost pets home.
• Take a fresh photo. Get a clear, well-lit picture of your pet today, from the side and the front. If they do get out, you will want a current photo ready to share, not one from three years ago.
• Bring outdoor cats in. If your cat usually roams, plan to keep them inside from Friday through the weekend, and again during the Monday and Tuesday system.
• Set up a cozy indoor spot. A crate with a blanket over it, or a bed in a quiet interior room, gives an anxious pet a place to settle while the wind blows.
• Stock up. Have several days of food, any medications and a few extra towels by the door.

During the storms

• Keep walks short and leashed. Even dogs with perfect recall can panic at a gust of wind or a falling branch. Use a leash every time, and consider a harness that is hard to back out of.
• Dry them off. Towel your pet off after every trip outside, including paws and belly. A lightweight dog coat helps small and short-haired dogs stay warm.
• Skip the beach. With a beach hazards statement for LA and Ventura counties through Monday, this is not the week for off-leash runs on the sand or walks out on the rocks.
• Watch for stress signs. Panting, pacing, hiding, trembling and drooling can all mean a pet is scared. Stay calm, keep them close and let them hide if that helps. If your pet has severe storm anxiety, talk with your vet about options before the next system arrives.
• Close the door behind you. When the house is busy and people are running in and out with umbrellas, a nervous pet can slip out. Be deliberate about doors and gates.

Keep an eye on how they are feeling

Cold, wet days can make older pets stiffer and can hide early signs that something is off. If you like to keep simple notes on appetite, energy and anything unusual, our free Pet Health Monitor is an easy way to track it day by day. It is a note-keeping tool, not veterinary advice. If your pet is shivering hard, seems lethargic, is limping or swallowed something from a storm drain or puddle, call your veterinarian or an emergency vet right away.

If your pet gets out

Move fast. The first few hours matter most.

• Walk your immediate neighborhood calling their name, and check under cars, porches and bushes. Scared cats usually hide close to home and stay silent.
• Post on local neighborhood groups and lost pet pages with that fresh photo.
• Call your local animal shelter and nearby vet clinics, and check shelter listings in person if you can.
• Put up flyers. A clear flyer with a big photo, one-line description and your phone number still works, especially for neighbors who are not online.

We built a free Lost Pet Flyer maker so you can create a printable flyer in a couple of minutes, and our guide on how to make a lost pet flyer that actually works covers where to post it and what to write.

The short version

The forecast is still changing, and forecasters say the weekend outcome could range from a little light rain to a more significant storm. Either way, a few minutes of prep now goes a long way: secure the yard, check tags and microchip info, take a current photo, bring cats in and keep dogs leashed and dry. Your pets do not read the weather report. That part is on us.

Want to be ready just in case? Take two minutes tonight and make your pet’s flyer with our free Lost Pet Flyer tool, so it is ready if you ever need it.