Luck Favors the Prepared: Making a Pet Emergency Kit for Your Cat or Dog
In an emergency, the last thing you want to do is try and remember everything you and your pet may need. You can prepare a pet emergency kit ahead of time, allowing you to respond quickly and safely to unexpected situations.
An emergency kit can be kept in the house or car, and brought on trips and adventures. Instead of scrambling during an emergency, you can have everything you need ready. It’s always best to be prepared for travel. Here are items we recommend keeping in your pet’s emergency kit.
Medical Records and Paperwork
Write a summary including symptoms, diagnosis, medication dosing and schedule, as well as, your primary and emergency veterinarians’ contact information. You can provide approval for emergency care with a sentence like “I approve care for my pet to provide stabilization and pain relief in an emergency situation” or “I approve care for my pet up to $1,000 in the event that I am unreachable.” In most cases, you can also call your clinics to provide authorization for care in the case your pet is brought in for an emergency.
Keep your pet’s microchip information, vaccines, medical records, licensing, and tags up to date. Keep a bag ready to go and check to make sure none of the supplies have expired once per year.
Update all their information annually. It can be helpful to set a calendar reminder on your pet’s birthday or adoption day to complete this task while celebrating another trip around the sun.
Emergency Contacts
Talk with people in your life about who could help with your pet if you are unavailable and there is an emergency. Make sure you have listed their name, phone number, email, address, and what medical care they are approved to have provided to your pet.
Supplies
An emergency kit should be stocked with helpful, commonly used items. Your list may look different than this, because each pet is different. Talk to your veterinarian about obtaining prescriptions and what supplies may be best for your specific pet.
Antihistamine — i.e. Diphenhydramine (generic Benadryl®), generally safe to give under the direction of your veterinarian and can be used for an allergic reaction or in some cases, to cause drowsiness.
Pain medication — talk to your vet about what medications you can have on hand for pain in case of emergency for your pet.
Sedative — i.e. Trazodone, generally safe to give under the direction of your veterinarian and can be used to calm your pet.
Elizabethan collar — a cone helps keep your pet from accessing a wound or injury, and prevents self-trauma or infection.
Tweezers — helpful for removing small splinters, glass, barbs or other superficial penetrating injuries. Do NOT remove deeply penetrating or larger objects without supervision from a veterinarian.
Cotton gauze — good for wrapping, packing, or covering wounds.
Thermometer — can be used in rectum, armpit or ear. Normal temperatures for dogs and cats are typically 99.5℉–102.5℉ (37.5℃–39.2℃).
Psyllium husk — used to provide digestive fiber to treat loose or soft stool, which can occur in stressful situations.
Sterile saline — used to flush out dirt, debris or irritating agents from mouth, eyes, or wounds.
Chlorhexidine or betadine antiseptic (not hydrogen peroxide) — used to clean wounds and prevent infection. This is sold over-the-counter in first aid sections of most stores and online.
Sling, towel, or emergency harness — used in case your pet is unable to walk.
Spare slip lead — in case their leash breaks or you come across another animal.
Water or water filter — ideally enough for 3 days.
Unique to Your Pet
Pack a couple of days worth of food (maybe more for a prescription diet). Make sure to rotate food out every month or two.
Stock at least one week’s worth of your pet’s medications and/or a written prescription. Make sure the medications are clearly labeled in case someone else needs to access the bag and ensure they remain unexpired.
Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best
It is much easier to prepare when things are calm. It can feel like a lot to prepare this in advance, but if you ever need your kit, you will be happy you did.
Having questions about preparing a kit and about what you may need to consider for your pet’s specific needs is normal. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian. If you need a veterinarian that will take the time to look over all of your pet’s medical records and lifestyle needs to help you plan your kit, we would be happy to help. You can schedule a virtual consultation today.
