Every pet parent in Houston understands how unpredictable life can be, from sudden storms to power outages or even local emergencies. Having a well-stocked pet emergency kit isn’t just a precaution; it’s a critical step in protecting your furry family members during the unexpected. Here’s a guide on what to include in your essential pet emergency kit for Houston pet parents, the best storage practices, and how to keep your supplies fresh. These kit recommendations can be effective for natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and house fires, especially if you store a couple of kits in various locations, both inside and outside your home.
Essential Items for Your Pet Emergency Kit
A comprehensive pet emergency kit typically includes the following items; add additional items for special needs, puppies, and aging pets.
Food and Water
Pack at least a three-day supply of your pet’s regular food, stored in airtight, waterproof containers. Rotate supplies to keep them fresh, and don’t forget a manual can opener if your pet eats canned food. Gather enough bottled water to last each pet at least a week.
Remember pet bowls, treats, pill pockets, and other pilling accessories. Collapsible bowls are lightweight and easy to include. Dish soap would be a good idea to have on hand in case you need to hand wash items during a power outage.
Medications and Medical Records
Include at least a week’s supply of any prescription medications your pet needs, as well as over-the-counter essentials like flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives. Make copies of your pet’s vaccination certificates, medical history, proof of ownership, and recent photographs—store these in a waterproof bag and/or digitally.
First Aid Supplies
Accidents can happen during emergencies. Your kit should contain sterile gauze, adhesive tape, bandages, antiseptic wipes, cotton balls, tweezers, safety scissors, a digital thermometer, saline solution, and pet-safe antibiotic ointment. Useful extras include disposable gloves, styptic powder (to stop bleeding), and an emergency first aid booklet like this one from VCA Animal Hospital.
Restraints, ID & Other Key Items
Pack an extra leash, harness, or carrier, and ensure your pet’s ID tags and microchip information are current. For cats, include a small litter box and litter. For all pets, a comfort item such as a familiar toy or blanket can help reduce stress.
Cleaning Supplies
Enclose poop bags, cleaning and disinfecting wipes, paper towels, and a bath towel to manage accidents, and dry or clean your pet.
Emergency Contacts
Write down contact numbers for your veterinarian, a 24-hour emergency animal hospital, and animal poison control. Make a list of pet-friendly shelters if you live in a flood zone and, if not, in the off-chance that you have to evacuate. Always take your pets in an evacuation!
Where to Store Your Pet Emergency Kit
Select a waterproof, easy-to-carry container, such as a backpack or sturdy tote, that can be quickly grabbed in an evacuation. Store the kit in a readily accessible location that is known to all family members. I recommend placing “go bags” or emergency kits near the main exit, in a coat closet, or with your own grab-and-go emergency kit.
For extra preparedness, consider creating multiple small kits to keep in your car, at work, or in secondary family gathering spots. This ensures you’re covered even if you’re away from home.
Checking Expiration Dates and Restocking
Emergency kits require regular maintenance:
- Review food, water, and medications at least every six months; more frequently during Houston’s storm season
- Replace items before they expire, paying close attention to medications, food, and water supplies.
- Every time your pet’s medical or identification information changes (like a new prescription or a change in veterinarian), update your kit
- After every use, even minor, restock immediately so you don’t forget
- Make it a habit to review and update your kit alongside your regular household emergency preparations
Essential Pet Emergency Kit for Houston Pet Parents
Emergencies happen when we least expect them, but with an up-to-date pet emergency kit, you can act with confidence to keep your pets safe and comfortable. Involve the whole family in annual kit checks, practice quick evacuations with your pets and other family members, and reach out to your pet care team, like your vet and groomer, for help tailoring your kit to your specific needs.
Our Inclement Weather Policies
To ensure the safety of your pets during emergencies or severe weather conditions, all clients are required to provide Emergency and Inclement Weather Contacts in their Precise Pet Care client profile.
In the event that dangerous conditions make it unsafe or unlawful for us to reach your pets, we will attempt to contact your designated emergency and/or inclement weather contacts for assistance. Please ensure that your contacts are local, reliable, and able to access your home if needed. And, inform them of the location of your pet emergency kit so they may access it when caring for your pets. You can let us know the location during our initial consultation!
Keeping your information up to date is crucial for your pet’s well-being. If any changes occur, please update your contacts and instructions in our Client Portal.
The Best Care for Katy & West Houston Pets
Preparation saves lives! Let’s ensure your beloved companions have what they need, wherever Houston’s unpredictable weather may lead.
Animal Admiration Pet Care offers customizable dog walking, dog sitting, cat sitting, and chicken care in Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Energy Corridor, Memorial, West Houston, and Cypress. For new clients, please contact us at info@animaladmiration.com or (281) 391-1015 to learn about our in-home pet care services. Existing clients, schedule your pet care visits here.
If you are outside our above-listed areas, please visit Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters to find a professional pet care provider near you.
Brooke Rozell began her professional pet sitting career in 2003. In 2011, she established Animal Admiration to bring trusted, professional pet care to the Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, and West Houston areas while elevating the pet sitting industry as a whole. Brooke is an active member of Pet Sitters International, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, the Texas Pet Sitters Association, and the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about Brooke.
