Preparing Your Pets for a Disaster
Here are the essentials to have in your Disaster Kit for your pets. This list is based on the FEMA brochure, Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies.
- Water: Make sure you have water for your pet!
- Food: At least 3 days of food for each pet in a sealed bag. My 15 Minute Grab list includes grabbing an entire bag of dog food.
- Portable Bowls: I like these collapsible bowls because they are durable and easy to pack. They are safe for humans to use, so they can be used in a variety of ways.
- Medicines and Medical Records: It’s good to keep some meds inside the Bug Out Bin (BOB), but I always worry about them expiring. So my 15 Minute Grab list includes a note to grab our dog’s meds.
- Collar with ID, Harness or Leash: I have an old collar and leash in our BOB. I got a tag at a pet store with our dog’s name, my cell, our county and her registration number with our county.
- Crate or Pet Carrier: I purchased a pop up crate which I keep next to our BOB. This works for us because our dog would not try to chew through it. If you need to use a more durable carrier that can’t fit in your BOB, then make sure you list it on your 15 Minute Grab List.
- Sanitation: Add some poop bags, pet litter and a small litter box into the BOB. Again … add these to your “grab list” if they are too bulky for the BOB.
- Proof of Ownership: You may need to prove that you own your pet. Try to pack copies of your adoption or purchase. Include photos of you and your pet together. Have your pet chipped if possible.
- Familiar Items: Your pet will also be stressed. Pack some familiar toys, treats and/or bedding.
Are Pet First Aid Kits Worth it???
Have you ever wondered if those First Aid Kits for Pets are really better than the human ones? Do they have everything that a pet will need in an emergency?
I checked out a bunch of First Aid Kits for Pets and discovered that a lot of the items were already in my First Aid Kit for Humans. I also found a lot of things missing!
Check out my page on First Aid Kits with a SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON of the Human vs Pet First Aid Kits so that you can see how similar they are! It also details how I created a comprehensive First Aid Kit that will cover both humans and pets.
First Aid Books for your Pet
Would you know what to do after a disaster if your pet was injured and you couldn’t get to the vet? I recently had a dream that my dog was choking and I couldn’t save her. I realized that I had no idea how to do basic first aid (like dog CPR). So I invested in a First Aid book and additional first aid supplies. These seem to be the most popular pet first aid books:
| Image | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
  | First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats | You can purchase this book used for much less. Good if you own a cat and a dog. As far as I can tell, the author is not a veterinarian. |
  | Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook | This is also sold used for much less. I like the fact that this book is written by three veterinarians and one MD. If you look at the book on Amazon, you'll see their list for a medical kit. |
  | Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook | Similar to the book above but for cats. |
  | First Aid for Birds | First aid focused specifically on birds. |
