Friday, September 20, 2013

Emergency Pet Kits

Gathering Supplies
Pet kits will vary based on what type of animal you have. To simplify this process this kit will be suitable for dogs and cats.

-Food: First on the list is food for your pet. This is very important. Don’t think that you’ll just feed your pet some of your food. Not only will this tap into your supply but a combo of human food and a stressful environment can cause your dog or cat to have an upset stomach, resulting in dehydration. Pack whichever food your animal is currently eating.

-Water: Just like with humans, clean water is nearly as important as food. Unlike with the food, you can give your pets the same water you are drinking. Calculate approximately how much your pet or pets will consume and add that to the supply. Don’t forget a bowl!

-Confinement: You need some sort of confinement for your pet or restraint. Most dogs will simply need a well-fitting collar or harness and a leash. Cats and smaller dogs may need a crate or carrier of some sort. Whichever way you go, make sure it is escape-proof as possible. The last thing you need in a survival situation is your dog to slip its collar and run off exploring. You may also want to pack an extra long lead for tying your dog up if you’ll be leaving your home and camping out.

-Identification and Documentation: Your dog should ideally have an ID tag with some way for people to contact you. Cellphone numbers or addresses work well. You may want to do this for your cat as well in case they get out of their carrier. Carry a photo with you of your pets so that in the event one gets loose people know what to look for. As for documentation, you should have your vet records on hand. This helps verify ownership and prove your pet is properly vaccinated.

-Medication: As with humans, have extra medication for your pet on hand in case you are unable to get a new prescription for some time.

-First-Aid Kit: You can have a pet specific first-aid kit or combine it with your own first-aid kit. Just be sure you mark the pet supplies separate.

The above supplies are the base basics of what you should have in your emergency pet kit. Other things to think about are pet waste bags, wet wipes, toys or some type of bedding that is familiar to your animal (reduces stress), and maybe a backpack for larger dogs. When planning transport and shelter you’ll need to include your pet in your plans as well.

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