After seeing the chaos caused by extreme weather over and over again in the past few months, it's become more important than ever for families to keep an emergency kit for their dogs in their homes at all times.
Unfortunately, dogs and other animal friends are often forgotten when dangerous conditions strike. News reports counted thousands of pets who had been lost in the flooding of the hurricanes hitting our shores. But less dire emergencies can also sneak up on you and keep all of your family cooped up inside for days on end.
That is definitely not a situation where you want to end up unprepared for your animal's well-being.
Some of the items below might seem a little obvious, but even those items can suddenly leave your mind as soon as the unexpected situations rear their ugly heads.
Take a look to see if you have everything your dog will rely on in an emergency kit.
And be sure to SHARE the tips with your friends on Facebook!
Thumbnail Photo: Getty Images / Joe Raedle / Staff
1. Food
You should plan for having at least three days' worth of chow stocked up for your pet in case leaving the house becomes too dangerous.
Just be sure to keep an eye on expiration dates. If the food is going to expire in a few weeks, switch it out for a fresh pack, and give your pup the other food before it goes to waste.
2. Water
This is both the most important and most easily forgotten emergency item for both you and any pets in your home.
Pipes can stop pouring in extreme weather or other emergency situations, so it's important to have plenty of backup supply at all times. It will need to be enough to not only keep your family and pets hydrated but also enough to help with cleaning any injuries, using your toilet, and other countless necessities.
3. Paw Protection
This is especially important during extreme weather conditions that can cause serious pain to your dog if they're still able to head outside to do their business.
Plus, just think of how cute they'll look in little booties.
4. Baby Wipes
Your dogs might think they've finally found an escape from bath time during an emergency situation, but it's still a good idea to give them a good wipe down every now and then to make sure they don't get uncomfortable with grime building up.
5. Bandages
You might already have this in your human first aid kit, but don't forget that your dog are in danger of injury during emergencies as well and might need to be patched up, too.
6. Medications
Staying on top of any prescriptions your dogs rely on is an essential part of their daily life, but it's even more important to always have plenty on hand in case you're suddenly unable to make a trip to the vet's office for a refill.
7. Waste Bags
This is another easily forgotten item when it comes to taking care of our animals in an emergency situation.
Trust me, you don't want to be left dealing with your pup's #2s without these handy when times are already tough.
8. Leash
You might think your pooch is trained well enough to remain by your side on a normal basis, but they can freak out during emergencies just like the rest of us.
Having a crate available is also smart to make sure they don't wander off on their own.
9. Toys
It will be even more important than ever to keep your pets' minds occupied.
It will help keep both humans and animals from going crazy while cooped up in an emergency situation for an indeterminate amount of time, so don't forget Fido's favorite squeaky toy.
10. Collapsible Bowls
Ordinary food and water bowls might take up too much space in your pack, so having these ready to grab and restore when you're done will be a relief.
11. Paperwork
Keeping their medical and adoption records on hand can help assess any issue quickly. They can also make sure your beloved pooch is returned to you as quickly as possible if they manage to run off during the chaos.
Do you have an emergency kit prepared for your dog?
Be sure to SHARE these essential items with your friends on Facebook!
