Thought I would share what I have learned regarding caring for animals/livestock after a nuclear event (specifically nuclear war). I am no expert, but most people haven't done any research on the topic at all so it might be food for thought and get those that have animals to care for interested in doing more research.
First off a look at fatal radiation dose levels. These levels represent an expected 50% fatality rate, though generally speaking if the levels are 100 rems or so higher the fatality rate quickly jumps to 90%.
Humans -- 350-400 Rems
Dogs -- 350-400 Rems (guessing this applies to "average" sized dogs)
Sheep -- 400 Rems
Cattle -- 500 Rems
Swine -- 650 Rems
Horses/Mules -- 700 Rems
Chickens/Poultry -- 850 Rems
What to do with them during/after a disaster:
-- Keep them sheltered so the dust stays off of them
-- If at all possible only feed them clean/protected food/water that has been in containers or covered to prevent contamination from radioactive dust
-- In a pinch even crude water filters (sand/cloth/dirt) do a pretty good job of removing radioactive particles
-- Realize any animals that graze will ingest a lot of radioactive particles, and those particles will appear in their milk/meat/eggs which is a source of radioactive contamination for anyone that consumes it
-- If you have food producing animals such as chickens or dairy cows, keeping them indoors on a protected food source can keep their eggs/milk clean, in addition bentonite clay acts as a good binder for ingested particles and can be used for everyone (people/dogs/livestock etc...)
-- If you must butcher and consume meat from any source (wild animals, livestock, trespassers etc...) that has been exposed to high levels of radiation avoid the skin and flesh near the bones and internal organs as that is where the highest levels of radiation reside in the body
When tending livestock wear a respirator/mask and protective clothing, then remove all outer clothing before going back inside your house (else you track in particles that will be inhaled/ingested).
There are a fair amount of documents for livestock but virtually none for companion animals. Here is one doc for livestock: http://www.dem.ri.gov/topics/erp/nahems_radiological_emergency.pdf
If you have dogs keep them inside until you feel comfortable venturing out without protective equipment. Sniffing the ground will cause them to inhale particles and they will also drag it back inside on their paws/coat.
Sorry no data on cats though folks can google it (be warned, looking up data on pets is rough stuff because virtually all of it is accompanied by info on the absolutely horrendous experiments that were carried out).
First off a look at fatal radiation dose levels. These levels represent an expected 50% fatality rate, though generally speaking if the levels are 100 rems or so higher the fatality rate quickly jumps to 90%.
Humans -- 350-400 Rems
Dogs -- 350-400 Rems (guessing this applies to "average" sized dogs)
Sheep -- 400 Rems
Cattle -- 500 Rems
Swine -- 650 Rems
Horses/Mules -- 700 Rems
Chickens/Poultry -- 850 Rems
What to do with them during/after a disaster:
-- Keep them sheltered so the dust stays off of them
-- If at all possible only feed them clean/protected food/water that has been in containers or covered to prevent contamination from radioactive dust
-- In a pinch even crude water filters (sand/cloth/dirt) do a pretty good job of removing radioactive particles
-- Realize any animals that graze will ingest a lot of radioactive particles, and those particles will appear in their milk/meat/eggs which is a source of radioactive contamination for anyone that consumes it
-- If you have food producing animals such as chickens or dairy cows, keeping them indoors on a protected food source can keep their eggs/milk clean, in addition bentonite clay acts as a good binder for ingested particles and can be used for everyone (people/dogs/livestock etc...)
-- If you must butcher and consume meat from any source (wild animals, livestock, trespassers etc...) that has been exposed to high levels of radiation avoid the skin and flesh near the bones and internal organs as that is where the highest levels of radiation reside in the body
When tending livestock wear a respirator/mask and protective clothing, then remove all outer clothing before going back inside your house (else you track in particles that will be inhaled/ingested).
There are a fair amount of documents for livestock but virtually none for companion animals. Here is one doc for livestock: http://www.dem.ri.gov/topics/erp/nahems_radiological_emergency.pdf
If you have dogs keep them inside until you feel comfortable venturing out without protective equipment. Sniffing the ground will cause them to inhale particles and they will also drag it back inside on their paws/coat.
Sorry no data on cats though folks can google it (be warned, looking up data on pets is rough stuff because virtually all of it is accompanied by info on the absolutely horrendous experiments that were carried out).
Last edited:
