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Emergency & Disaster Preparedness for Pets Handout
by Dr. Maren Bell Jones, October 2017
A search and rescue handler directs her dog during the May 2011 Joplin, MO EF-5 tornado
- Food
- at least 3 days worth per pet in a waterproof or watertight container for “bugging out”
- at least 7 days worth for bugging in, ideally 14 days worth
- Don’t forget bowls, food scoop, spoon, and can openers if applicable! Pop tops are preferable
- Avoid lots of treats, especially ones they are not familiar with to avoid stomach upset
- Water: ½ to 1 oz per pound of body weight per day for dogs and cats (more if hot outside or eating dry food)
- Medications
- at least 7 days worth with clear instructions
- Don’t forget one spare dose of heartworm/flea/tick preventative!
- Check with your vet about getting an extra pill bottle with a small supply.
- Check expiration dates every 6 months
- Don’t forget a pet piller and pill pockets, cheese whiz, clam juice, or some other non-perishable way to give medications
- Medical records and a pre-made lost pet flier
- One hardcopy (laminated is preferable)
- One copy saved to the cloud (take a photo with a smart phone and send to your email)
- Include microchip number if pets get separated as proof of ownership
- Good quality color photos of your pet, especially any unique markings: from the front and the side shooting from their level
- Microchipping, ID tags, Leashes, Collars and Harnesses
- Have your vet check your pet’s microchip every 3 years when their rabies is due to make sure it still works appropriately
- REGISTER the microchip and change the contact info if it changes. An unregistered microchip is nearly useless!
- Luggage tags are great for attaching to your crates and carriers for identification and your contact info
- Hygiene and Grooming
- Enzyme cleaner (Nature’s Miracle, etc), paper towels, and nitrile gloves for accidents
- Puppy pads and dog poop bags
- Cat litter and litter pans
- Grooming tool if pet has high maintenance coat
- Dawn dishwashing liquid for decontamination and general pet shampoo: 3 oz travel containers are great for this!
- Belly bands for male dogs who mark, britches for intact females in heat or who have incontinence
- Housing
- A crate or carrier for EACH PET
- Bedding, toys, and chews are fine, but only if they will not ingest them
- Highly recommend crate training both dogs AND cats!
- Feliway pheromone spray or diffusers for cats
- Odds and Ends
- Multitool
- Pliers
- Leather work gloves
- Pens, Sharpie marker, notepad
- Plastic ziplock bags and trashbags
- Laundry soap: keep pods away from pets, highly toxic!
- First Aid Kit Recommendations
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Must Haves:
Nice to Have:
Ask Your Vet:
Chlorhexidine solution (namebrand: Hibiclens)
Betadine
Extra Rx Medications & Supplements
Vet wrap
Lubricating jelly (i.e.-KY)
Anti-diarrhea remedy
Cotton cast padding
Paint stir sticks for splints
Pain reliever: NOT ASPIRIN
Non-adherent wound dressing
Saline for irrigation
Probiotic
Gauze squares
Booty (Ruffwear type or infant sock)
Anti-nausea for carsickness
Medical tape
Tuff Foot or Musher’s Secret
Anti-anxiety medication
Thermometer
Elastikon tape
Benedryl
Thermometer Probe Covers
Nail Trimmers
Hydrocortisone ointment
Vinyl or Plastic Basket Muzzle
Tick Key
Surgical glue
Eye Wash
Forceps
Ear cleanser
Bandaids
Nature’s Miracle Enzyme Cleaner
Activated charcoal for poisoning
Nitrile/Latex Exam Gloves
Pet piller
Hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting (dogs only!)
Kwik Stop for Nails
Sanitary pads/potty pads
Bandage Scissors
E-collar/cone
Hemostats
20 ml syringe for flushing
Rubbing alcohol
Stretcher
Moleskin
Battery powered hair clipper
Cranking/solar powered flashlight
Penlight
Duct Tape
Dry bag or other watertight container
Dawn dish soap
Pet shampoo
Deskunker shampoo
Slip leash
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For more information:
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/features/petsanddisasters/index.html
American Veterinary Medical Association: https://www.avma.org/public/EmergencyCare/Pages/Supplies-Checklist.aspx
Animal Poison Control Center: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
For an easy to print PDF version of this checklist: /Disaster_Checklist_Final.pdf