Pet emergency go-bag: what to pack before you need it

Quick answer: Prepare food, water, medication, records, identification, and safe transport for each pet. Follow local emergency guidance for quantities and likely disruptions; do not treat a three-day kit as sufficient for every disaster. Keep paper and deliberately saved offline copies of essential details.

A prepared kit reduces last-minute packing, but it needs ongoing maintenance as food, prescriptions, contacts, and the pet’s needs change.

Food and water

• Several days of familiar food in suitable waterproof packaging, with the quantity adjusted to local plans and your pet’s needs.
• Manual can opener if you pack canned food.
• Drinking water for each pet, with extra for delays and cleaning. Ask your vet about individual needs; a weight formula alone is not an emergency supply plan.
• Foldable food bowl and water bowl.
• Suitable familiar treats for routine care; do not rely on food to safely capture a frightened or unfamiliar animal.

Containment and walking

• Leash — sturdy, not retractable.
• Harness fitted to current size.
• Crate or carrier for cats and small dogs.
• Appropriate spare walking equipment that you know how to use safely.
• Spare collar with current ID tag.

Records pouch

• Rabies certificate (paper original).
• Vaccine summary.
• Microchip number, registry contact, and enrollment confirmation; keep account passwords separately secured.
• Current photo of each pet (within last 6 months).
• Medication list with doses and timing.
• Two emergency contacts (phone numbers).
• Vet phone and emergency clinic phone.

Use a waterproof pouch for essential papers and retain originals when required. Save selected digital copies offline before an emergency and check that they open without a connection.

Medications and first aid

• An agreed emergency supply of current prescribed medication in original labeled packaging, stored as instructed. Ask about refills, refrigeration, and expiry in advance.
• A first-aid kit selected with your vet and instructions you know how to follow. Bandages and tools can cause harm when used incorrectly.
• Disposable gloves.
• Towel or small blanket.
• Pet-safe wipes for cleaning paws or messes.

Comfort and behavior

• A familiar blanket or piece of clothing with your scent.
• One favorite toy.
• For cats: a small bag of familiar litter and a foldable litter pan.
• For anxious pets: discuss with your vet beforehand whether anti-anxiety medication should be in the bag.

Sanitation

• Poop bags — many.
• Trash bags.
• Paper towels.
• Hand sanitizer.

Storage and refresh

Keep the kit accessible in suitable storage conditions. Review it regularly and after changes to medication, diet, contacts, or household plans. Do not wait for a twice-yearly reminder if something has expired or changed.

How Driyu can help

Driyu’s public identification and private records can support preparation, but the tag page and record access need a working connection. Save essential copies outside the app for offline use, and carry paper contacts. A tag does not track the pet or guarantee recovery. See planning an evacuation with pets.