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Build your dog’s disaster go-bag before an emergency with food, water, medication, current records and identification, safe restraint and transport, cleanup supplies, and familiar comfort items. Keep it ready to carry, and make a separate plan for where you and your dog will go: a general evacuation center may not accept pets.
What to pack in your dog’s disaster go-bag
Use this checklist as a starting point, then adjust it for your dog’s size, health, diet, and likely hazards. Store supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers; keep food and documents protected from water.
Food, water, and feeding supplies
- Your dog’s usual food in a waterproof container. The CDC’s April 2024 checklist recommends a two-week supply; the ASPCA’s September 2026 go-bag list recommends at least seven to ten days. These are different source recommendations, not a single universal standard. Choose a practical amount for your situation and local risks. CDC: Build a Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit; ASPCA: Disaster Preparedness for Pets: What to Plan and Pack.
- Drinking water for the same planned period. CDC recommends two weeks, while ASPCA recommends at least seven to ten days. The amount your dog needs depends on its size and circumstances; account for local conditions and ask your veterinarian if you need guidance.
- Non-spill food and water bowls, your dog’s feeding instructions, and a manual can opener if you pack canned food.
- Treats or other familiar food if useful for your dog. The ASPCA includes treats on its general checklist but does not set a required quantity.
Medication and health information
- Where your veterinarian can safely provide it, pack a two-week supply of your dog’s medications. Both CDC and ASPCA recommend two weeks; confirm storage, dosing, and emergency instructions with your veterinarian. Keep written medication instructions with the supplies.
- Copies of vaccination and veterinary records, a concise medical summary, prescriptions, and relevant test results. Protect paper copies in a waterproof sleeve or container.
- A pet first-aid kit and guide. Ask your veterinarian which contents are appropriate for your dog rather than relying on a generic kit alone.
- Care instructions for a temporary caregiver or boarding facility: feeding schedule, medical conditions, behavior needs, and your veterinarian’s contact information.
Identification, restraint, and transport
- A collar with a current ID tag, a spare collar, a leash, and a properly fitting harness. Keep your dog restrained when moving through unfamiliar or stressful surroundings.
- Your dog’s microchip number and the registry’s contact details. Check that the registration and phone number are current.
- A properly sized carrier or crate with bedding, a blanket, or a towel. Put your contact information on the carrier and include a recent photo of your dog. Practice loading your dog and traveling in the carrier or crate before an emergency.
- Recent photographs of your dog, including a photo of you with your dog. These can help identify your dog if you become separated.
Cleanup and comfort
- Dog waste bags, paper towels, trash bags, and disinfectant or other suitable cleaning supplies.
- A familiar toy or chew toy and, if space allows, a portable bed, blanket, or towel. Familiar items can help make an unfamiliar place less stressful.
Keep the kit usable and ready to grab
Store the bag where you can reach it quickly, and make sure it is manageable to carry along with your dog. Keep food in a waterproof container and records protected from moisture. Check expiration dates and replace food and medication before they expire or become unusable; rotate stored supplies as needed.
Review the kit when your dog’s food, medication, veterinarian, or contact information changes. A ready-made emergency kit may cover some basics, but compare its contents with this checklist and add your dog’s regular food, medication, records, and correctly fitting restraint gear rather than assuming a commercial kit is complete or endorsed.
#1 Best Overall
- Comprehensive Pet Emergency Kit: Designed to care for dogs during disasters with food, water, shelter, first aid, sanitation, and comfort items included.
- Food & Hydration Essentials: Contains an 8 oz pack of emergency dog food, 6 water pouches, and 10 water purification tablets to keep your pet nourished and hydrated.
- Pet-Specific Tools & Safety Gear: Includes a double-sided dog bowl, reflective collar & leash, metal stake with tie-down leash, dog toy, and waste bags for control and comfort.
- First Aid & Utility Supplies: Comes with a 107-piece first aid kit, can opener, 50 ft nylon rope, 3 pack of pet waste bags, and safety gear for managing emergencies.
- Light, Warmth & Shelter: Includes an emergency bright stick, body warmer, and mylar blanket to keep your pet safe and comfortable in low-light or cold conditions.
Choose a destination that will take your dog
Do not assume a general evacuation center will accept pets. The CDC notes that many evacuation centers do not allow pets. Before an emergency, identify pet-friendly hotels, relatives or friends, boarding facilities, animal shelters, veterinarians, or local relief organizations that may be able to help. Check acceptance directly and keep addresses and phone numbers in the kit.
The American Red Cross advises checking pet acceptance in advance and notes that, depending on the situation, pets may be housed separately from their owners. Its guidance puts the safety point plainly: “If it’s not safe for you to stay in your home during an emergency, it’s not safe for them either!” American Red Cross: Pet Disaster Preparedness & Recovery. For evacuation-center considerations, see the CDC’s guidance on pets in evacuation centers.
Rank #2
- Premium Emergency Kit: Designed for dogs up to 30 lbs., the Pet Evac Small/Medium Dog Pak includes everything you need to be prepared for an emergency, evacuation or travel. Starting with the red and black backpack to the well thought out first aid kit, this pack has everything to keep your pet safe for up to 72 hours
- 5-Year Shelf Life Food and Water: Includes 12 bags of 4.225oz water and 2 collapsible bowls for convenient feeding and hydration during emergencies
- Comprehensive First Aid Kit: Includes PetFlex Vet wrap, Pet Vet wound/burn gel, Mylar blanket, tweezers, cotton swabs, alcohol wipes, gauze pads, hydrogen peroxide spray, and cold pack for treating injuries
- Safety Essentials: Features 4 ft slip lead, LED light, ID card, waterproof ID card holder, and first aid brochure to ensure your pet's safety and identification
- Waterproof Storage Pouch: Secure waterproof pouch designed for storing important documentation and medication to keep them protected from moisture and damage
Practice before you need to evacuate
- Get your dog comfortable entering and resting in its carrier or crate. The CDC recommends training pets to travel and sleep in their carrier or crate; its guidance on chemical emergencies also emphasizes preparation for pet transport. CDC: Pets: Preparing for a Chemical Emergency.
- Practice leaving with your dog and go-bag as part of a household evacuation drill. The American Red Cross recommends including pets in evacuation drills.
- Confirm that your destination will take your dog and that you know how to reach it. Keep alternatives and their phone numbers with your supplies.
- After drills or routine kit checks, replace anything used and refresh supplies that have expired or become unsuitable.
For additional general preparedness advice, see the ASPCA’s disaster preparedness guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- COMPLETE 4-PERSON DISASTER SUPPLY KIT: Built to support four people for up to 72 hours with emergency food, drinking water, first aid, shelter, lighting, hygiene and survival gear packed together in one portable backpack for fast access at home or work.
- FOOD & WATER FOR 3-DAY PREPAREDNESS: Includes four 2,400-calorie emergency food bars and four 1-liter Aqua Literz cartons, plus survival blankets, ponchos and lightsticks to help support your household during outages, evacuations and major disasters.
- FIRST AID & SAFETY ESSENTIALS: Includes a 107-piece first aid kit, safety goggles, nitrile gloves, leather work gloves, biohazard bags, hygiene supplies and an emergency whistle to help support personal protection and comfort when conditions turn chaotic.
- POWER, LIGHTING & SURVIVAL TOOLS: Hand-crank emergency power station combines flashlight, AM/FM radio, siren and cell phone charging, while a multi-function tool, duct tape and emergency lightsticks add practical support for blackouts and evacuations.
- BUILT FOR HOME, WORK & EVACUATION: Grab-and-go 4-person emergency backpack is ideal for earthquake kits, hurricane supplies, wildfire evacuation, blackout preparedness, offices, vehicles and family disaster planning when critical supplies must move fast.
Rank #4
- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMPANION: This cinch bag companion to your existing cat carrier includes everything you need to keep your pet safe for up to 72 hours during emergencies, evacuations or travel situations
- LONG-LASTING FOOD AND WATER: 5 year shelf life food and water with 2 collapsible bowls for convenient feeding and hydration
- COMPREHENSIVE FIRST AID KIT: Vet wrap, Pet Vet wound/burn gel, Mylar blanket, tweezers, cotton swabs, alcohol wipes, gauze pads, hydrogen peroxide spray, and cold pack for treating injuries
- SAFETY ESSENTIALS INCLUDED: 4ft slip lead, LED light, ID card, waterproof ID card holder, and first aid brochure to ensure your cat's safety and identification
- COMPLETE CARE ACCESSORIES: Collapsible nylon litter box, 2 lbs of litter, plastic scoop, waste disposal bags and cat toy for your pet's comfort and hygiene
Rank #3
- 72 Hour Emergency Supply: Includes 5-year shelf life food and water to sustain your pet during emergencies
- Complete First Aid Kit: Comprehensive pet first aid kit included to address medical needs and minor injuries
- Durable Slip-Lead: High-quality slip-lead for secure control and handling of your dog during evacuations
- Spacious Storage Design: Large 17-inch backpack with abundant storage in the main compartment, 3 zippered pockets, 2 side mesh pockets, and plastic buckle straps for securing gear
- Designed for Large Dogs: Specifically created for dogs between 30 and 70 lbs, suitable for evacuation, hiking, camping and travel situations
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