What to include in your dog’s emergency kit

Nobody likes to think about stuff like this, but if you are a dog owner, then you have one extra reason to do so: your dog depends solely on you for survival. No pressure!

So, while natural disasters, fires, power outages, and evacuations could happen at any time for any reason, being prepared reduces your overall anxiety and gives you time to compose yourself.

Getting a bag of essentials ready might not take much time now, but it will save you time getting to safety and keep you calmer since you know you have everything you need. You won’t panic or stress about having to go back, or about not having something you need to keep your dog safe and comfortable until more permanent solutions can be found.

Here’s what a dog’s emergency kit should contain.

Water and Food

Ideally, you should keep food and water for 3-7 days. However, if it comes down to storage and accessibility, and neither works in your favor, prepare for at least 3 days. This includes bottled water, canned or dry food, a manual can opener in case you opt for canned food, and collapsible food and water bowls.

If you have the space, pack food and water for at least two weeks. This will be a blessing in certain situations.

The types of food you choose and the amounts you store will depend on the storage space you have for your emergency kit.

Medical Supplies

When it comes to medical supplies, there are things you can prepack and things you need to remember to grab before heading out.

Prescription medication falls into the second category, and prepacking it would be challenging unless you have the chance to stockpile it. If your dog is on permanent treatment for a specific illness, you may be able to work around it with your doctor. However, always use the medicine in the pack and store the newer ones away if you don’t want the ones in the pack to expire.

If your dog is on specific medication when an emergency occurs, and there is no way to prepack it in advance, put a tag on the emergency kit, over by the handle, reminding you to grab the medicine before heading out. This would be the only way to prep in this situation.

Otherwise, your medical kit should have copies of medical records and other essential pet records, bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, a thermometer, and the above-mentioned medication with administration details.

Documents

Keep laminated photocopies of the most important documents. These will come in handy and be better protected in the event of water damage.

Essential documents you need to keep in the emergency kit are:

• Identification papers,
• vaccinations,
• medical summary,
• prescriptions,
• most recent tests and other particular tests anyone coming across the pack might need to know,
• pet descriptions and recent photographs detailing their physical appearance
• microchip information
• your contact information and an emergency contact.

Plan for the event in which you will need and use the documents after your evacuation, as well as for the event in which your pets might be found by someone else. In this latter case, all this information would be more than welcome. It’s sad and scary to think about all this, but you can feel better knowing you’ve taken measures so that whoever finds your dog has all the necessary information and medication to keep him safe until you’re reunited.

Safety Supplies

Keep a spare leash, collar, and harness. You might have time to grab the regular one before you leave, but it’s best to have one in the kit in case you don’t, or if your regular one gets lost or broken.

A muzzle is a wise choice because you never know how your dog might react in a stressful situation. This is general advice, and one given even to the owners of the gentlest of dogs. Animal instincts kick in when emergencies occur, and you never know just how your pet will react. It would be best to have something that will protect you and your dog from unwanted accidents.

Waste bags and cleaning supplies are another must. Wherever you end up, your dog will still need to poop and pee. If you are not outdoors, you might need to improvise, so it’s best to be prepared.

Flashlight and batteries might not be necessarily pet-related items, but it can’t hurt to keep an extra set in the doggy kit, just in case.

A thermal blanket is a lifesaver in many situations and doesn’t even take up much space. You could even have several packs in your kit to pass around.

Comfort Items

If you managed to fit all the necessary items in your emergency kit and still have room to spare, it would not hurt to add some comfort items.

You will most likely be stressed in an emergency, and so will your dog. He will rely solely on you to take the family to safety and keep them safe until things can return to normal. In such situations, even the best dogs can get stressed and act out. Therefore, keeping him calm is a top priority.

Their favorite toy, a blanket that smells like home, and clothing items belonging to family members the dog feels safest around will foster a sense of belonging and grounding, helping your dog better cope with reality.

A dog might not understand the concept of something temporary, but he can find comfort in knowing that the most important things are still around, such as his family.

Special Considerations

This list is made up especially for adult dogs with no special needs. If you have a puppy or a senior dog, you need to adapt to their particular needs. Puppies will need extra food and potty pads, for example, while old dogs might need mobility aids.

If you live in a very cold or very hot climate, add the necessary items. Umbrellas to create shade and cooling pads for extra hot climates, jackets, and paw protection for colder ones.

Maintaining Your Emergency Kit

Gather all the items you wish to include in the kit and choose a container of the appropriate size. Make sure it is waterproof and easy to maneuver, even if you are on your own during an evacuation.

Prepare and store them, but do not place other items on top of them. If all is well, you will not need it for very long, which would be amazing. However, there is a risk of piling things on top of it, thus making it inaccessible.

Another danger of making it and then forgetting about it would be failing to update the information and content. Whether it’s food or medication, it would be a shame to let it go bad. Use the ones in the emergency kit and replace them periodically with fresher ones to ensure that, should you need them, they are still safe to consume.

Emergencies are complex for everyone. It’s hard not to stress and to keep your wits about you. Add to this the particularities of each type of emergency, the need to care for others, such as small children and pets, and the pressure on an individual is tremendous.

But preparedness makes things considerably easier. Although it’s unpleasant to think about such things in advance, it helps to have everything ready so that when the worst happens, all you need to do is grab the dog, throw the kit in the car, and get out.