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These past few years have been met with all kinds of natural disasters, at a seemingly increasing rate and ferocity. To make sure you and your family are safe in the event of an emergency, having a plan of action can help save your life. Remember, you may have a member of your family that also needs their own unique emergency preparedness kit – your pet! So what should you have in your pet emergency bag? Let’s have a look.

The Pet Emergency Bag

First, your pet emergency bag should have enough supplies to carry you through a minimum of three days. This helps to ensure that you can focus on what you and your family really need, not what to feed Fido in the middle of an evacuation. This relieves stress, increases safety, and decreases evacuation time in an emergency.

#1 – An Action Plan

Make sure that the first thing you address is your action plan. This is not necessarily in the kit, but it should be. An action plan includes information about where to meet with your family or roommates and everyone’s contact details. Also, make sure everyone knows the exact location of your emergency kit for quick use if required.

#2 – Sufficient Food and Water

When planning food and water, make sure to have between three and ten days worth of food and water per pet. Small individual packets of dry food, or sealed cans of wet food, can do very well. Make sure to include necessary serving utensils (like spoons, can openers, etc.), serving bowls, and clean-up wipes.

#3 – A First Aid Kit for Pets

Your pet first aid kit can be homemade or purchased. The idea is to ensure that if anything traumatic occurs, you are prepared to take immediate corrective action. Make sure your first aid kit includes:

●        A first aid booklet

●        Gauze, bandages, wraps, tape, gloves

●        Hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, antibacterial ointment

●        Grooming wipes

●        Flashlight

●        A towel or microfiber blanket

●        Important medications

#4 – Medications

In addition to the meds in your first aid kit, make sure to have a secondary supply of your pet’s medications if they have any. This alone can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation.

#5 – Sanitary Gear

These include things like litter, pee pads, dish liquid, wet wipes, extra water bottles, disposable baggies, and scrap newspaper. The idea is to make sure you can handle the inevitable ‘bathroom’ needs of your pet.

#6 – Collar, Leash, Harness, Tags

Make sure to include whatever gear you use to keep your pet safe. These include your collar, leash, and harness equipment as well as up to date pet tags. This helps to make sure that your potentially spooked pet is kept safe and under control.

#7 – Documentation

Make sure to make copies of all important documents. Pack any documents related to your pet’s health (medical records, shots, etc.), emergency vet addresses, poison control, and boarding centers. Keeping both a digital copy on your mobile device, as well as paper copies in a waterproof bag can ensure you have all the relevant information when you need it most.

#8 – A Contact List

Make sure to have an emergency contact list ready. This can include phone numbers, emails, and home addresses of friends and family, as well as local boarding facilities, hotels, and emergency services.

#9 – Flashlight and Batteries

Having an extra flashlight on hand is always a good idea. You never know when it might come in handy. Just a small battery powered flashlight from your local hardware store will do. Make sure to keep an extra store of batteries as well.

#10 – Comfort Solutions

When an emergency strikes, stress is sure to increase. Make sure to include your pet’s favorite comfort items like toys, blankets, and bedding. This will help keep your pet calm while you sort out what needs to be done.

Final Thoughts

Now you are all set. You have everything you need to have a safer experience in the event of an emergency. Just make sure to keep all the items up to date and within range of the expiry dates and you’re ready for anything. Even so, may you never need to use it! Contact us for further information.