When disaster strikes, having a plan can mean the difference between safety and chaos—not just for you, but for your pets as well. Whether it’s a hurricane, wildfire, or unexpected emergency, our furry friends depend on us to be ready for anything. That’s why disaster preparedness for pets is so crucial.
To help you prep, we’ve made a checklist of all the essentials your dog needs for emergency homestays & travel, with top tips on post-emergency recovery and more. We’ve even condensed our handy guide into a printable PDF for you to use at home.
PS– If you’re a cat owner, check out our guide to Disaster Preparedness for Cats over on our sister site, TechnoMeow.
Jump To
- Types of Emergencies
- Essential Supplies Checklist
- Extra Tips For Home Stays
- Emergency Travel
- Losing Your Dog in an Emergency
- Post-Disaster Safety & Emergency Recovery
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Types of Emergencies
Types of emergencies we can all prepare for include natural disasters, like hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and other extreme weather, and human-related emergencies, such as civil unrest, long-term power outages, and pandemics.
While different situations can call for different actions, having a core plan in place with all of the basics covered is vital.
Essential Supplies for Dogs
The first step is having the right supplies, so let’s take a look at our essentials checklist for dogs, with everything you need to get through an emergency.
Again, while different emergencies call for slightly different supplies, there are a few core items that you’ll need in any disaster preparedness kit.
Food & water
Of course, food & water is #1. You’ll want to keep at least a 7-to-10-day supply on hand for most emergencies. Use your judgment, though. If you live in a remote area that’s prone to extended power outages or will be hard to get out of in case of floods or blizzards, go with a two-week supply or more.
Food
Canned dog food is great in an emergency, as it’s long-lasting, doesn’t need to be stored anywhere special, and has a high water content for hydration. If your dog is sensitive or you want something more nutritious, freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are also good and take up less room.
Also, if you have a dog with specific dietary needs like allergies or a medicated diet, you should always have an extra stash of their special food on hand.
When it comes to storage, we recommend buying shelf-stable dog food in bulk and keeping it in a clean, dry, secure place, then rotating the supply every 6-12 months.
As far as long-lasting dog food goes, the options are practically endless. A few of my favorites include:
- Redbarn Air Dried Dog Food (go with the trial pack for more variety)
- ButcherBox for Pets Chicken & Quinoa Topper (adds a great nutrient boost to your dog’s food)
- Honest Kitchen Wet Food (they have a ton of options, just make sure you’re grabbing the self-stable recipes)
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Water
Bottled water is the best way to ensure access to clean water in an emergency, and water filters or purifying tablets are something to consider in case of dirty tap water. Just make sure they’re safe for pets. Most of them are, but still, it’s best to double-check with your vet. Especially with iodine purification tablets.
If you have good tap water, you can also fill up jugs to keep on hand for emergencies. However, keep in mind that these jugs aren’t sealed so they don’t last quite as long. Tap water typically stays good for about 6 months if properly stored (out of sunlight and in food-grade jugs). So, you’ll want to replenish your supply twice a year.
Automatic feeders with backup batteries and water fountains are also a good investment in case you’re unable to get home in extreme weather situations. Just make sure you check and replace the batteries regularly.
With water fountains, finding something with a battery backup is a bit harder. So instead, choose something that allows your dog to access the water even when it’s not running. The 90 oz PetSafe Outlast is great because it has a large basin, so even if the power goes out it still holds enough water for multiple pets.
- Pumpless cat fountain uses a unique design that ensures water flow without a submerged pump.
- HydroSpin technology uses a unique cone mechanism to cycle 90 oz of water continuously.
- Equipped with an Ion-X(TM) filter that combines carbon filtering and ion-exchange resin to keep the water soft and tasty.
- Intelligent sensors manage water flow, reducing it at night and shutting off automatically when water levels are low, prolonging motor life and conserving energy.
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Hygiene
Don’t forget about doggie hygiene! At the very least, you’ll want to have a large supply of poop bags on hand to keep your yard and street clean during extended stays at home.
If going outdoors isn’t possible at all, you may also want to consider indoor potty options. For dogs that are used to going outside, it may be easier to convince them to go indoors if you use a grass mat, like the PetSafe Pet Loo.
The PetSafe Pet Loo is a portable indoor/outdoor toilet for dogs, cats and small pets. It offers a convenient alternative to pee pads. The urine drains through the grass mat into the Pee Pod and the Wee Sponge powder absorbs the liquid on contact to trap odors and help make clean-up easy.
Owners of dogs like Poodles who need regular, extensive grooming and typically prefer to pay a professional should keep a supply of grooming tools and learn how to do the basics themselves in case they can’t visit the salon.
Comfort & stress relief
Whether you’re stuck at home or evacuated into a new environment, we recommend setting up a safe, quiet area for your dog to retreat to. Familiar items like blankets and favorite toys can help to keep pets calm and occupy their minds in strange places and situations.
Calming pet products like CBD treats, supplements, plug-in diffusers, and sprays can also help to relieve fear & anxiety in stressful situations. If you know your dog is prone to severe anxiety, you can also talk to your vet about prescription medications.
The popular Hemp & Hips dog treat from Veterinary Naturals now comes in a CBD version! Hemp & Hips Plus CBD combines everything customers love about the original variety but now with C10 CBD.
Don’t overlook long-term wellness support
Disasters and emergency situations can disrupt routines in ways that affect dogs long after the immediate danger passes. Changes in activity levels, stress, eating habits, and sleep can be especially hard on older dogs and pets already dealing with age-related changes. Keeping wellness supplements packed with your emergency supplies can help maintain consistency during stressful periods.
For middle-aged and senior dogs, some owners also include healthy-aging supplements like HANS™ in their preparedness kits. HANS™ focuses on hormone-related wellness, metabolism, mobility, and long-term vitality support for spayed and neutered dogs. It’s an easy once-daily chew and a simple way to keep your dog’s routine as normal as possible when everything else feels chaotic.
HANS™ is the first daily chew formulated to help support the hormones dogs lose after spay, neuter, and age. It’s designed to help support balance, energy, and mood for healthier, happier years together.
First aid & health
First aid kits for dogs should include basics like bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, scissors, and thermometers, as well as any medications or supplements your dog needs.
While you can put one together yourself, it’s easier to buy a pre-made first aid kit for dogs online and then add any specifics they need.
I like this one from Kurgo because it includes pretty much everything (except a thermometer), all in a durable bag that’s easy to “grab and go.”
Make sure you’re ready to deal with everything from lacerations to choking to poisoning, with our comprehensive, 50-piece First Aid Kit, complete with Dog First Aid Guide. Stylish, compact, and essential, every dog owner should have one.
Safety & security
In times of disaster or emergency, it’s easy for pets to get lost in the panic, especially if there are dangerous conditions outside. Every dog should be microchipped and wear a collar with an ID tag anyway, but in an emergency, it could save their lives.
Their ID tag should have all of your up-to-date contact information on it, including your phone number and address, as well as any necessary info a vet or shelter would need to know, such as any urgent medical needs.
In the event of lost tags, you should write your info on your dog’s collar with a marker until you can get a new one. Actually, even if you do have engraved tags this is still a good idea.
For extra security, consider investing in some smart tech for your dog. GPS trackers (like our top three picks below) can help locate lost pets should you get separated, and organizations like FidoAlert act like emergency services for lost pets, creating networks of local owners & sending communal alerts in emergencies.
For the home, there are also invisible pet fences that prevent pets from getting out and interactive pet cameras for monitoring & communication when you’re not there.
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Extra Tips for Extended Home Stays
These tips may not be as vital as stocking up on emergency supplies but they’ll still help you make the best of a scary situation.
Backup power sources
For long periods of time at home, supplies of extra batteries or alternative power sources, like generators and solar panels, can come in handy in case of power outages.
If you go with a generator, though, make sure you’re following proper safety procedures. Improper use can quickly lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, electrocution, and more.
Stay alert and in touch
It’s also a good idea to keep track of what’s going on in the media for local alerts and updates and connect with neighbors and nearby friends for help taking care of your dog if you’re not there during an emergency.
Stick to routine as much as possible
Dogs thrive on routine, so try to stick as close to Fido’s usual schedule as possible. Obviously, you may need to make some tweaks, especially if the conditions outside are unsafe, for example. But try to stick to regular times for feeding, grooming, or any other indoor activities.
If you know you won’t be able to walk Fido, consider investing in a few good interactive dog toys to stave off boredom. During your usual walk time, pull out a few toys and initiate a play session instead.
A good indoor/outdoor automatic ball launcher can go a LONG way towards helping relieve some pent-up energy, both for your dog AND you.
For the dog who loves fetch, gift him the toy that he’s sure to have a ball playing with — literally. The Automatic Ball Launcher is an automatic, interactive game of fetch that will keep your best friend engaged and give your arm a little break.
Emergency Travel
In case of evacuation, you should keep a ready supply of travel essentials, such as car seat covers, car harnesses, and pet carriers for small dogs, as well as a “go bag” with everything you’ll need for your stay at the safe location.
We have already covered the basics; food, water, a first aid kit, hygiene supplies, and comfort items, but you’ll also need portable versions of home essentials, like collapsible food bowls, a doggie water bottle, and any other specific things your dog needs, like medication.
You should keep digital and physical copies of your dog’s medical records with you in a waterproof folder, too, including their vaccination history and microchip details.
Be sure to research nearby shelters, hotels, and facilities that allow pets when making your plan and test it out to ensure it runs smoothly.
What to do if You Lose Your Dog in an Emergency
If you lose your dog during a disaster or emergency, try not to panic. Reach out to local shelters and vet offices for further help and use posters & social media to spread the word.
Look for your dog in the local area if it’s safe to do so and make sure you pass on all of the relevant information about them, such as their physical description and how to approach them, using clear, recent photos that show what they look like.
Post-Disaster Safety & Emergency Recovery
When the emergency is over, check your dog for signs of injury and watch for changes in their behavior. It’s not uncommon for dogs to develop trauma-related anxiety after enduring a frightening event, which can manifest in avoidant, withdrawn, skittish, or aggressive behaviors.
Take them to be checked over by a vet, even if nothing seems to be wrong. Exposure to high-stress environments and foreign substances can harm pets in ways we may not pick up on, and minor injuries can turn into more serious ones if they aren’t properly treated.
Once you’re back home, give your dog lots of TLC and try to have some fun with them. Dogs feel safe with consistency, so getting back into a normal routine as soon as you can is the best way to help them move forward.
If your dog does develop anxiety or some kind of phobia, take things slowly and try some positive association training if you can’t eliminate the source of the fear. Don’t be afraid to ask a vet or trainer for help and consider using a calming product like a supplement, spray, or plug-in diffuser to aid their transition back into normal life.
Final Thoughts
While nobody likes to think about these things, it’s best to be prepared! With our disaster preparedness guide for dogs, you’ll have all of the essentials covered in case of an emergency. We’ve also made a downloadable & printable PDF version of the guide available for practical use. Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
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