The Complete Pet Prepper’s Guide: Keeping Your Dogs and Cats Alive When Everything Else Falls Apart

A catastrophe strikes. The stores are stripped of supplies, and the aid response is slow. With the power off, you may not have access to water or a way to refrigerate items. Once disaster arrives, preparing is no longer a thought in the back of your mind. The choices you made yesterday affect your pets today. 

A simple plan ensures dogs and cats have food, water and basic medical care if systems fail. You’ll also want to gather other supplies that will help you all reach safety. Use the sections below as a checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared and purchase a few items each week until you have everything in place. 

Securing Food and Water

Every living thing needs water and food to survive. Ensuring you have enough to last can be a confusing process. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends pet owners stockpile a two-week supply of food and water for each animal. Store food in waterproof containers.

In addition to sustenance, you’ll need a manual can opener for canned food and bowls for the food and water. You should also write out feeding instructions and include them in the container where you store the food and water. Ensure that you place the instructions in a waterproof bag to keep them legible. If you’re injured, whoever is caring for your animals will find the details helpful.

Keep in mind that food expires if stored for an extended period. You should rotate your supply occasionally to ensure you have fresh food on hand. Order new bags and cans and swap them for what’s in your disaster preparedness kit. 

Most pets need an ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. However, the amount can vary, with some pets needing an extra gallon of water per day.

Gathering First-Aid Supplies

You may recall the dozens of pets found during the 2025 floods in Kerrville, Texas. Many of them had injuries from various flood debris hitting them. Even if you manage not to get separated from your pet, it may have cuts or other issues that need immediate attention until you can get to a licensed veterinarian.

In an emergency, time is of the essence. Around 97% of people consider pets family members. Just as you’d prepare a first-aid kit for yourself and your children, you should have some supplies and basic training and instructions for your furry friends.

Some of the items you’ll need include CPR instructions for cats and dogs, a thermometer, activated charcoal, styptic powder to stop bleeding, and an emergency blanket. You’ll also need a pet-safe antibiotic ointment. Remember to include a waterproof carrier to hold wound care supplies and your pet’s regular medications, along with dispensing instructions. 

Organizing Identification and Records

It takes less time than you would think to get separated. Doors are left open, fences fail or carriers break. Identification increases the likelihood of reuniting with a lost pet.

Every pet should wear a collar and tag showing current contact information. Microchipping is an alternative, but it only works if the registration is current and you have a secondary contact in place in case your primary contact information becomes unavailable. Keep copies of your pet’s microchip number, rabies certificate and vaccinations in a plastic sleeve.

Have copies of ownership papers, recent pictures of you alongside your pets and some basic health history if you need to enter a shelter, move across state lines or board your pets for any length of time. In a crisis, your vet office may not be available to fax these items, so having copies can be a lifesaver.

Planning Transportation

Each animal needs a restraint with good airflow or a safe carrier that is large enough for them to stand, turn and lie down in without limitation. Soft-sided carriers suit brief trips. Rigid carriers are more secure for extended trips or when near debris.

Another consideration is Mother Earth. Getting carriers and other pet products in advance and with the awareness of what you’ll really need can reduce strain on resources during emergencies. Pet supply production impacts the environment in multiple ways, including food production, waste generation and the carbon footprint of pet products. 

Get the pets used to the carriers within a relaxed environment. Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full at all times. If you have to evacuate on foot, you should know how far each animal can walk. 

Listing Pet-Friendly Lodging

One of the biggest mistakes pet owners make is assuming their local shelter will take their animal. Compile a list of pet-friendly lodging, campgrounds and animal boarding facilities within a 50-?to 100-mile radius, along with their phone numbers and addresses. Line up friends or family outside the immediate area who can temporarily shelter your pets.

Update your list biannually. Knowing where pets are welcome in a disaster can save you time and emotional energy.

Your Pet’s Survival Depends on Your Preparation 

Emergency disaster planning extends to the pets that depend on their human caregivers, especially in the worst situations. Plan now so you can take action during a disaster. These proactive steps transform uncertainty into assurance, providing you with the peace of mind that you are well-prepared for anything. A solid plan is the ultimate act of love, ensuring you can protect your loyal companions and navigate any crisis together.