How to Prepare A Dog Emergency Kit

How to Prepare A Dog Emergency Kit

Are you prepared for any type of disaster? Do you have emergency supplies at the ready for you and your dog? If your answer to these questions is “no”, don’t worry our guide to preparing a well-stocked dog emergency kit is here to help. These tips will help you know what to do with your pet when crisis hits and put your mind at ease. 

Hopefully you and your pet never experience a disaster, but it’s better to be prepared than to be caught off guard. It’s good to have a system in place if the unexpected happens. These tips will help you make sure that you’re ready for anything. 

Prepare Your Dog for an Emergency Before Disaster Hits 

Follow these six simple ways to prepare before disaster strikes:

  1. Make sure your dog’s license is up-to-date, and he’s wearing his tags. If you and your dog are separated this vital information will be key to reuniting with your companion. When choosing tags, aim for text that is large and easy to read, and include more than one contact in case you’re unable to respond immediately. 
  2. Designate a person who your pet trusts to go and check on him should a disaster strike when you’re not home. You want this person, or emergency dog contact, to be very familiar with your pet to provide additional comfort. Especially if you’re unable to be with your dog, you’ll want to ensure they get extra cuddles an snuggles in an emergency situation. 
  3. Call your local emergency management office and ask if evacuation centers near you allow dogs. As a dog owner, you don’t want to be stuck making a decision about whether you can bring your best friend during an evacuation. Knowing that both your family and your pet are welcome at evacuation centers will be ideal. 
  4. Have your pet microchipped. This is something we recommend all owners do as it provides a sense of safety to you and your pooch. A microchip will help you locate your pet if lost, and will increase your chances of reuniting sooner rather than later in the event of an emergency. 
  5. Update your home emergency kit so that it includes supplies for your dog. Adding things like extra food, their favorite treats, a collapsible water dish, flea and tick medication, or even a brush for long-haired dogs will make caring for your pet much easier. 
  6. Put a sticker on an outward-facing window that alerts emergency professionals of any pets in the house. This is a simple change that will ensure first responders and other professionals aren’t startled by your dog and know to look for them during search efforts. 

Dog Emergency Kit List

Speaking of adding pet supplies to your home emergency kit, be sure to add these items to create your very own dog emergency kit for your furry best friend: 

  • Water bottles 
  • An extra dog leash and spare collar 
  • Wet or dry dog food and treats 
  • Trash bags
  • Your dog’s paperwork, including recent vaccinations, licenses and pet insurance 
  • Medicines 
  • Non-stick bandages 
  • Hydrogen peroxide 
  • Tick-removal tools 
  • Disposable gloves 
  • A handful of toys to help them stay occupied 
  • Blankets or towels 
  • Bowls (include a collapsible option in case of travel) 
  • A recent photo of your pup in case of evacuation in case an evacuation is required down the road.

Tips for Staying Inside During an Emergency

Sometimes the authorities will advise you to stay home rather than evacuate. In this case, be sure to keep all hazardous materials out of reach, and keep your dog occupied with toys or with petting to calm him down. Read more about common dog toxins that can be found in the home to help you prepare. To help keep your dog occupied and happy, we recommend keeping the Pup-Peroni® Original Bacon flavor chews in your home. These tasty treats will surely get some tails wagging, even during an emergency! If the heating in your home is down, use blankets to keep him warm. 

More General Dog Emergency Tips

Never leave your dog alone in emergencies. If the situation isn’t safe for you, it’s not safe for him. Some natural disasters can move wild animals into residential areas. So be sure to check your yard for any stowaways. And before letting your dog outside, check your yard for debris that might be harmful to him. But most importantly, remember in case of an emergency to stay calm. Your pet will take behavior cues from you and follow suit. 

Related Articles

5 Ways to Have Game Day Fun with Your Dog Photo 5 Ways to Have Game Day Fun with Your Dog

From tailgating to dog jerseys, you’ll find everything you need to score a touchdown in the best friend zone with these tips from Pup-Peroni®.

common dog toxins Photo Are These 8 Common Dog Toxins in Your Home?

Spring is here, but with it comes some things you didn't are harmful to your dog. Read to find out the eight common pet toxins that might be in your home.

dog emergency kit preparation Photo How to Prepare A Dog Emergency Kit

Are you prepared for any type of disaster? Do you have emergency supplies at the ready for you and your dog? If your answer to these questions is “no”, don’t worry our guide to preparing a well-stocked dog emergency kit is here to help. These tips will help you know what to do with your pet when crisis hits and put your mind at ease.