What to include in your pet disaster bag

Natural disasters can hit at any time. From hurricanes to tornadoes to wildfires, it’s vital to have a plan in place if you lose power, are forced to evacuate, or need to shelter in place for an extended time.

While it may seem unnecessary to put together a “grab-and-go” bag for your pet(s), they have essentials just like we do: food, water, medications, potty needs, and a safe, warm place to rest. This is one of those times where we say it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Here’s what to include in your pet’s disaster preparedness bag —

1. Food, water, and medications

It’s impossible to know exactly how long you’ll be in an emergency state so it’s best to plan for at least 10 days worth of supplies. Separate dry food into individual baggies or one large container with a scoop to measure out portions. Whichever you choose, make sure it’s sealed and waterproof to keep everything fresh.

Have water on hand to drink along with any necessary medications your pet might need to take. If meds need to be kept refrigerated, consider a small cooler you can pack with ice at notice to store them.

2. A pet first aid kit

Build a first aid kit specifically for your pets in case of injuries or accidents. You can buy them premade or DIY a kit at home. Here are some supplies to include —

• A first aid booklet
• Rubbing alcohol, antibacterial ointment, and hydrogen peroxide
• Antihistamines (Benadryl, Zyrtec, etc.)
• Gloves, gauze, cotton swabs, and bandages
• Ice packs
• Pet-safe soap
• Saline solution
• Scissors, tweezers, and a syringe
• Styptic powder (to stop bleeding)
• Towels or microfiber rags

Keep everything in a waterproof container and check expiration dates regularly so your stock is up-to-date.

3. Collar, leash, harness, and tags

Keep a collar or harness on your pet at all times and have a leash handy if your pet gets nervous. It’s easy for pets to be anxious during emergencies, sometimes leading to them running off out of fear. Put a tag with your contact information on their collar or harness so someone can easily find you to reunite you with your pet if they do get lost.

4. Other miscellaneous pet care items

While food and water are essentials, there are other items you should bring along to keep your dog comfortable.

• Blankets, a pet bed, or a carrier
• Cat litter and pan
• Grooming wipes and brushes
• Paw booties for protection
• Pee pads
• Pet life jacket
• Paper towels, waste bags, and disinfectant spray
• LED collar for at night
• Collapsible bowls for food and water
• Pet seat covers and/or safety seat belts
• Toys or bones

5. Documentation

You should include any pertinent pet documents in your emergency kit. If anything should happen to you, these documents could be lifesaving for your pet, especially if they are hurt or in distress:

• All veterinary records — Rabies certification, vaccinations, general medical history, prescriptions for any medications, and heartworm test results (dogs) or FeLV/FIV test results (cats)
• Your veterinarian’s information — Clinic and vet name, phone number, clinic address, and contact information for local emergency veterinary clinics
• Your information — Name, phone number, address, and emergency contact information (if you aren’t available)
• Proof of ownership — This could be registration or adoption records
• Pet descriptions — Recent photos and descriptions including breed, gender, color, and weight of your pet
• Care instructions — List of how to take care of your pet if you are unable to (feeding, medicating, behavior or medical needs, etc.)

6. An emergency contact list

Like mentioned above, having an emergency contact on hand is helpful in case you’re unable to care for your pets or someone who found your pet can’t get ahold of you. Having a list of multiple contacts, like with FidoAlert or TabbyAlert, is even better.

Now that you have your pet’s disaster bag packed and prepared, make sure everyone in the family gets familiar with it. Practice emergency drills with your pets, keep track of what you use or need to replace in the disaster bag, look into pet-friendly evacuation areas, and stay up-to-date on potential disasters heading your way.

Hopefully you’ll never need to use it, but you’ll feel better having a disaster bag for your pet as a “just in case.”