Your pet counts on you for a lot. It doesn’t take long for them to become a member of the family. You want nothing less than keeping them safe in all sorts of situations. As a pet parent, you don’t want to think about your pet experiencing anxiety or uncertainty, especially in an emergency situation. You cannot predict natural disasters, fire, or other emergencies. But you can be prepared if one does occur.

Making a pet emergency kit for your dog in advance can ensure you have things on hand when you need them. Should an emergency occur and things begin to happen quickly, a to-go emergency kit for your dog can make a big difference. It keeps you from forgetting or missing items that are vital for your dog’s care.

Components of a To-Go Emergency Kit for Your Dog

In general, there are eight components you would use to build an emergency kit.

1. Large bag
2. Leash, dog collar and harness (including ID tags)
3. Water, food, and collapsible bowls
4. Waste bags
5. Towels and blankets
6. Contact sheet and paperwork
7. Cleaning supplies
8. Dog Crate and Pad
9. First aid kit

Here are a few tips for pulling these items together to build your pet’s unique emergency care kit.

Large Bag

The first thing you need to consider is a large bag to put everything into. Choose something that will work for you and one that is large enough to hold all your essentials. It can be a large travel bag, backpack, gym bag, or even a plastic tote.

Leash, Harness, and ID Tags

Of course, you are likely to grab your BrilliantK9 harness and leash as you head out the door. But it’s still a good idea to have an extra one in a doggie emergency kit. Also, include another set of your pet’s up-to-date ID tags in your emergency kit, just in case.

Collapsible Bowls, Water, and Food

An emergency kit will need extra food and water. You can store several bottles of fresh, clean water in the kit. Be prepared by storing enough food to last your dog at least four or five days. Including two collapsible bowls will take up little space but ensure you can make your dog’s eating and drinking convenient and easy for them. Don’t forget that the food will need to be changed out every few months to ensure it stays fresh.

Doggie Waste Bags

Toss a couple of rolls of doggie waste bags into your to-go emergency kit.

Towels and Blankets

You’ll want to include at least one towel and one clean blanket in your to-go emergency kit. These items are nice to have on hand and are versatile. They can be used in a wide variety of ways in various situations.

Contact Sheet and Paperwork

Include a sheet that has all your important contact information. You should have your contact information as well as information for contacting any emergency contacts, family members, your dog’s veterinarian, and preferred animal hospital. Also include contact information for any other dog care providers such as trainers, doggie daycare, or kennels.

You will also need copies of your pet’s paperwork. This includes everything from recent photographs to written descriptions of your dog, adoption records, rabies certificate, prescriptions, vaccination records, heartworm test, and their microchip registration. You may also want to include step-by-step care instructions for your pet as well as instructions for boarding.

Cleaning Supplies

You never know what type of mess you may find yourself in when there is an emergency situation. Include some cleaning products in case you need them. Think about what you would need to clean up any mess, such as a roll of paper towels, bottle of all-purpose cleaner, a few trash bags, and a disinfectant.

Dog Crate and Pad

Your dog crate and pad should always be ready to go, ensuring your pet can travel safely and be surrounded by familiar items should you need to travel.

First Aid Kit

The first aid kit is perhaps the most important part of your to-go emergency kit. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, you may not be able to find or access a veterinarian. Keep some emergency supplies on hand by including these items in a ready-made first aid kit.

• Gauze and medical tape
• Cotton balls
• Disposable gloves
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Antibiotic ointment
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Dish soap for bathing
• Tick remover
• Pet-safe saline solution
• Alcohol wipes
• Pet safety manual

Final Thoughts About a To-Go Emergency Kit for Dogs

It may not be a lot of fun to think about you or your pet being in a possibly dangerous situation. However, being prepared can help reduce the stress if you find yourself in these situations. At BrilliantK9, we know that preparing ahead of time can make a huge difference, and it only takes a few minutes to get a to-go emergency kit together. Just remember to keep all the items up-to-day and refresh the perishables.