Emergency Kit for Dogs

Natural disasters can happen at any time and when that time comes, it's good to be prepared. San Francisco was recently hit with a 4.5 magnitude earthquake in the wee hours of the morning at 2:40am. Lucky for us Californians, it wasn't the "Big One" and we were safe this time around. This quake was a good reminder that I should really put together an emergency kit for Cooper and myself.

Our emergency dog kit is created so that when disaster *strikes, I have everything I need for Cooper. Hopefully, our emergency kit can help you prepare your own and be ready for any kind of emergency. Keep in mind that emergency kits should be customized to suit your pup's specific needs.

Basic Essentials

Freeze Dried/Dehydrated Dog Food: For each dog, there should be enough food to last for at least 7 days. In this case, I packed 2+ weeks worth of food for Cooper. Make sure they're quality food because your dog's health should not be sacrificed even during a natural disaster. I chose freeze dried from Stella and Chewy and dehydrated dog food from Honest Kitchen because they're quality brands that I trust and their food has a good shelf life. And as an added bonus, they're lighter to carry than canned dog food.
Sensitive Unscented Baby Wipes: For when Cooper gets dirty and I need to wipe off excess dirt without wasting water. You can also use it to wipe off blood or germs from injuries. It has multiple uses for human and hound.
GenOne Tropical Spray: Any hot spot spray works, GenOne was prescribed to us by our Vet. Hot spot spray is good for any itchy or red spots that may appear during these emergencies and you want to quickly remedy the problem before it gets worse. The GenOne Tropical spray has a "numbing" sensation.
Medications: Cooper is currently not on any medications aside from preventative ones (ticks/fleas, heartworm) so I didn't need to put it in the kit. If your dog is on important medications, please make sure that you pack them.
Optional - Dog Dental Wipes: It's better to use dental wipes than toothpaste since there's no need for water.

1 Collapsible Water/Food Bowl
1 Leash and 1 Collar with Identification Tag attached
2 Rolls of Poop Bags
1 Large Bath Towel (works as a blanket as well)
1 Paw Cream

Not Shown in Photo:

Physical Copy of Medical Records
- Our Vet has all our medical records that we can easily ask for but it's important to have physical copies in case you can't get a hold of your Vet.
1-2 Gallon of Water (how much can you carry)
Dog Boots: In case there are a lot of debris and dangerous objects on the ground, I want to make sure Cooper's paws are protected.

Quick Note:

Where Cooper and I live, earthquakes and wildfires are our natural disaster. The items that I packed aren't necessary in waterproof containers/packaging. Please take into account of where you live and the type of natural disaster that are prominent in your area.

DOG First Aid Kit:

A critical thing to have in your emergency kit. I actually bought two Kurgo Pet First Aid Kit, one for the emergency dog kit and one for when I go hiking/road-tripping with Cooper. It provides a complete package of everything I need in case of injuries. This can be use for human as well. Although I will be modifying the first-aid kit a bit with better tweezer and my own durable tools.

Instant Ice Pack
2 Pairs of Disposable Rubber Gloves
3 Gauze Pad - 4" x 4"
3 Gauze Pad - 2" x 2"
Gauze Roll - 2"
Trauma Pad - 5" x 9"
4 Alcohol Prep Pad
Thermal Foil Emergency Blanket
2 Scissors
Bottle Opener

Parachute Cord
First Aid Guide
Sting Relief Pads
Tweezers (Plastic)
Tape Roll
Crepe Bandage - 2"
10 Cotton Swab
4 Tongue Depressor
4 Antiseptic Towelette
4 Iodine Prep Pad

Cooper is now prepare for when disaster strikes!

And there you have it, ready-to-go emergency dog kit! I definitely feel more at ease now that I have a bag ready for when the Big One hits.

If you have any suggestion(s) on what other essentials we should have for our emergency kit, feel free to leave a comment! I'll occasionally add more things to our kit as I see fit.