Disaster Preparedness for Pets: How to Protect Dogs, Cats & Other Animals in Emergencies

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A woman sitting with a jacket on holding a black cat on her lap with bags sitting next to her. Disaster Preparedness for pets

When a natural disaster strikes, the last thing you want to worry about is scrambling for your pet’s food, medicine, or crate. Whether it’s a hurricane, wildfire, blizzard, or earthquake, emergency preparedness for pets is just as important as planning for the human members of your household. At Pet Butler, we’re committed to helping you safeguard your furry, feathered, or scaled companions with this essential disaster preparedness guide for pets.

Why Pet Emergency Preparedness Matters

In times of crisis, thousands of pets are injured, displaced, or left behind. With proper planning, you can prevent that from happening to your beloved dogs, cats, and other animals. Creating a pet emergency plan not only reduces stress during disasters, it can also save lives.

Pet Disaster Preparedness Checklist

Use this comprehensive checklist to make sure you’re ready for any emergency:

1. Create a Pet Emergency Kit

Stock up on the following items and store them in a portable, waterproof container:

  • Food & Water: At least 3–7 days’ supply per pet
  • Medications & Veterinary Records: Keep in a sealed, labeled plastic bag
  • Pet First Aid Kit: Bandages, antiseptic, tweezers, gloves, etc.
  • Leash, Harness & Carriers: Clearly labeled with ID tags
  • Waste Supplies: Litter box, litter, poop bags, and cleaning supplies
  • Comfort Items: Blankets, toys, or an item with your scent
  • Recent Photos: In case your pet gets lost

2. Ensure Proper Identification

Microchipping your pets greatly increases the chance of being reunited if separated. Also ensure they wear a collar with:

Keep microchip registration information up to date.

3. Know Where to Go

Not all evacuation shelters accept animals. Plan ahead by:

  • Researching pet-friendly shelters or hotels
  • Asking friends or family in safer areas if they can house you and your pets
  • Creating a list of emergency boarding facilities or veterinary hospitals in nearby cities

4. Practice Evacuation Drills With Your Pets

Train your dog or cat to enter carriers quickly and calmly. Practice loading your vehicle and going through your evacuation plan with all family members.

Pet Butler learn more about our services banner. We offer the following pet services: pet waste removal, pet care, and commercial services. Image is of a Pet Butler employee smiling and laughing hugging a white Labrador retriever dog.

Special Considerations for Different Types of Pets

Dogs

  • Keep a sturdy leash and harness in your emergency kit.
  • Practice crate training ahead of time for easier transport.
  • Include training pads in case your dog can’t go outside.

Cats

  • Cats can be more stressed during emergencies. Use calming pheromones in their carrier.
  • Line carriers with absorbent bedding and keep an extra litter tray handy.

Birds

  • Use a small, secure travel cage.
  • Cover the cage with a breathable cloth to reduce stress.
  • Keep extra seed, water containers, and a spray bottle for cooling.

Small Mammals

  • Use escape-proof carriers with ventilation.
  • Include nesting materials and food specific to each species.
  • Avoid overcrowding; each animal needs space to stay calm.

Reptiles

  • Secure heat sources like heating pads (battery-powered or chemical).
  • Bring extra bedding and feeding supplies.
  • Label containers clearly with species and any handling precautions.

After the Emergency: Returning Home Safely

Once it’s safe to return home:

  • Inspect your home before letting pets roam freely.
  • Watch for debris, spills, or structural damage.
  • Be patient—many pets exhibit anxiety or behavioral changes after a disaster.

Re-establish your routine as soon as possible and provide plenty of comfort and reassurance.

Don’t Leave Pet Preparedness to Chance

Having a well-thought-out pet disaster preparedness plan can mean the difference between chaos and calm when disaster hits. By preparing now, you’re protecting the health and safety of your dogs, cats, and other beloved pets—no matter what nature throws your way.

At Pet Butler, we’re here to support you and your pets through every stage of life—including the unexpected. Bookmark this guide, share it with fellow pet parents, and start building your emergency pet kit today!

View our Pet Wellness Videos for more expert pet advice.

At Pet Butler, we want you and your pet to live your best and healthiest lives, which is why we offer Pet Waste Removal and Pet Care services year-round. We offer weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and one-time clean-up services to meet your schedule and needs.

Pet Fire Safety Tips & Disaster Planning

Pet Safety Articles

pet fire safety

Did you know that July 15 is Pet Fire Safety Day? One of the most common dangers to befall families is a house fire. According to the American Fire Administration, house fires affect approximately 500,000 pets each year. A portion of these fires are started by pets themselves.

Naturally curious, pets are attracted to the open flames of candles and fireplace fires. Some sweet-smelling oils warmed by a flame may prompt a pet to investigate. A client once returned home to a devastating kitchen fire; he left a cardboard pizza box atop a gas stove. Presumably, the dog jumped up to eat the pizza and inadvertently turned on the burner.

Halogen lamps and space heaters are easily nudged by a pet leading to excessive heat build-up and are a definite fire hazard. Finally, wires can be tempting to chew for both cats and dogs, especially puppies!

Tips to Keep Pets From Starting Fires

  • Keep an eye on open flames: Supervise your pet whenever lighting a candle or fire in the fireplace. A solid screen can prevent embers from escaping and pets from getting too close to the flame.
  • Avoid candles: Keep candles and other diffusible oils out of your dog’s reach and consider going battery-operated.
  • Use safety knobs: Pet and child fire prevention includes investing in safety knobs for your stove top found in any big box store near the infant section.
  • Watch the heating products: Eliminate halogen lamps and use space heaters only when you’re awake and in the same room.
  • Secure electrical wires: Pets can chew on cables or wires, it’s best to secure wires with tape or enclose them in a plastic cable organizer. Flexible tubing denies teething pups’ access.

Pet Disaster Preparedness Plan

When making a disaster plan for your family don’t forget to include your pets. Should your family need to evacuate a residence, practice makes perfect. Designate a member of the family to be responsible for the pet’s safety in a fire. It’s a great idea to have a “go bag” for your pet that includes a few days of food, water, leash or harness, ID tags, medication and a copy of their medical record.

  • A photo of your dog and copy of their microchip number can aid in their return should they escape or become loose during an emergency. Knowing pets’ hideouts or safety zones such as a bathtub or under a bed can be important to quickly locate your pet.
  • First Responders can use that information along with a window decal indicating what kind and how many pets they should be searching for.  A pet in a burning house may run for an open door, so leave one available as you exit.
  • Technology can be wonderful at detecting fire, power outages, or carbon monoxide leaks. It’s possible to link smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to a security service or directly to emergency personnel. If a fire starts in your home while you’re out, a signal is sent to the monitoring center alerting the fire department of danger.
  • Lastly, smoke detectors that are battery operated only work if the batteries are operating! With every new year, it makes sense to practice fire safety and change them out.

How to Prevent Travel Anxiety and Motion Sickness in Dogs

Dog Behavior Articles

dog travel anxiety and car sickness

For many of us, not only do we treat our pets LIKE family, they ARE family; I’ll admit, sometimes the dogs are my favorite family members. They don’t whine, kick the seats, fight with their siblings, or complain of boredom. Especially on road trips. My human children can’t possibly imagine how we survived long car rides without iPads, smart phones, and videos.

While dogs can be the ideal travel companion, there is the occasional pooch that suffers from travel anxiety or motion sickness. Is it possible to manage dog car sickness and nervousness so that you and your furry friend can best enjoy the open road? Yes!

Dog Car Sickness and Travel Anxiety

Dogs can become excitable or nervous when they are in unfamiliar situations or when they associate an activity with a negative outcome. Did your dog’s previous car ride end in a trip to the vet for vaccinations or surgery?

Was their last car ride three years ago and they are no longer accustomed to the sound of the engine, the roar of passing trucks, or the confinement that road travel brings? Are they secured in a crate or harness with a familiar toy or blanket or are they bounced around in a hot vehicle during stop and go traffic?

Take Shorter Trips

If possible, introduce a puppy or even adult dog to short, frequent road trips that end at a dog park or give them treats during and after the ride. When a car ride equates to a favorite activity or snack, dogs are eager to hop in a vehicle. Mix up the duration of car rides and give them a little fresh air. Stop sporadically to exercise your pet and provide stimulation, playtime, and a drink.

What if you knew that EVERY time you got into your car you were going to be trapped inside for 9 hours with few breaks to eliminate or eat? I’d start to think my vehicle might be more like a prison cell on wheels. Happy to buckle up? No thank you! I might drool and pace at the sound of car keys jangling or hit the brakes hard if someone tried to plop me in a car seat.

Calming Dog Medications and Supplements

In addition to desensitization, travel anxiety in dogs can be alleviated with over-the counter supplements and/or prescription medications from your veterinarian. It’s best to manage the situation before it gets out of hand; the more a behavior becomes practiced by an animal, the harder it is to unlearn. This is especially important with large dogs who can be more difficult to contain and restrain in a car.

As a housecall vet, we see many patients at home because they simply refuse to get in the car. Whether it was a prior negative experience or just lack of exposure to car rides, it can be impossible to convince a 150-pound Mastiff to buckle up. What would happen to your pet if you had to transport them in an emergency?

Products containing L-theanine, Chamomile, L-tryptophan, and Vitamin B1 such as Composure Pro by Vetriscience may be all that is needed to take the edge off an anxious dog. Combining the tasty treat with an Adaptil dog collar, which releases a natural dog calming pheromone imperceptible to humans, can work wonders.

Other dog owners have found success using a Bach flower drop called Rescue Remedy. Ask your veterinarian if you think your dog might be more comfortable using one of these supplements or if a prescription medication such as Trazodone or Alprazolam might be necessary to ensure a successful trip.

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can be tried to help ease the tension of car travel, but I find while it may cause sleepiness, it doesn’t help truly anxious dogs. In some cases, when dogs lose their coordination and stumble about due to sedation, they become more anxious.

Motion Sickness

I always recommend trying the medication you are planning to use in advance. You don’t want to find out 2 hours into a 10-hour trip that your dog may have needed a higher dose and is panting, shaking, and crying or that they have an adverse reaction to a new product.

Some dogs become anxious in the car because they have previously experienced motion sickness. Motion sickness can be alleviated by avoiding a large meal before travel and making sure dogs are secure in a crate. Other pets fare better given a medication like Cerenia tablets or Meclizine a few hours before a trip. A safe alternative to prescription medications may be a sprinkle of ginger powder on a bit of wet food to manage nausea. As always, check with your veterinarian. Safe travels!

Disaster Preparedness: Preparing Your Pet For an Emergency

Pet Safety Articles

pet emergency disaster preparedness

June is National Pet Preparedness Month, which gives us pet owners a reminder of what to do in case of an emergency or natural disaster. Natural disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods are certainly one category of catastrophe, but what if you were left unable to care for your pet due to sudden illness or injury?

Dogs and cats are among our most vulnerable populations and preparing for any type of emergency or natural disaster is wise. Let’s talk about disaster preparedness with the intention of keeping your pet safe and healthy, and the goal being reunited should you become separated in an emergency.

Pet Emergency Safety Tips

Create an action plan: The first step to prepare for an emergency is to generate a family action plan, which includes identifying escape routes from your home, interior spaces with no windows, areas with access to fresh water, as well as boarding facilities, pet-friendly hotels, or family residences where you can stay should you need to evacuate your home.

Helpful tools and resources: If your home isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pet; make sure to include a labeled carrier and extra leash as part of your supply kit. Mobile apps like the NOAA and ASPCA apps allow you access up-to-date information on weather, pet support and recovery networks, and contain record-keeping features.

Download these apps before you need them. Should you have to leave your pet or if you become separated, make sure to have a sticker visible from outside your house that includes the number and type of animals in the home as well as an emergency number where you can be reached.

Microchip your pet: Permanent microchip identification is recommended for all pets in addition to a collar with ID and can be quickly implanted by your veterinarian. Make sure to keep your contact information as well as your pet’s information current in the online registry.

Emergency contacts: For personal emergencies where your pet may be left alone in your home, designate a neighbor or friend familiar with your pet to assume responsibilities for care. Leave the “foster parent” a set of keys, supply of food and medications as well as feeding instructions and the phone number to your veterinary clinic.

pet kit

Pet Supplies in Your Emergency Kit

Every family should have a smaller emergency kit suitable for traveling as well as emergency supplies that can keep you nourished and safe in a disaster. In some cases, emergency services may not be able to reach you or provide shelter for your pet for several days.

Keep an additional emergency kit for your dog or cat to ensure their safety. Be mindful that food and medications can expire, so refresh supplies often.

A week supply of canned food and bottled water as well as a two-week stash of medication is ideal. A first aid kit, photo of you and your pet to generate LOST posters, important phone numbers of family members, your vet clinic, and an emergency clinic are critical.

Keep items in waterproof bags and include medical records, a muzzle if needed to transport a scared or aggressive pet, soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, self-stick gauze, and plastic bags for pet waste clean-up.

Feeding bowls, a blanket, and a familiar chew toy are good to keep with your pet and may provide some comfort during an emergency. For cats, a pillowcase, hard-sided carrier, and a litter pan and litter are essential.

May you never need to use your emergency kit. But when you’re pets are prepared for an emergency or disaster, the likelihood of safely weathering any storm is high.

Sources
ASPCA Disaster Preparedness

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