Since the coronavirus has hit the US, things have gotten a little crazy. Panic has started to set in and stores are running out of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other items as people stock up in the event they are quarantined.
It may seem a little over the top to clear a store of all its toilet paper, but you should always be prepared for a disaster whether that disaster is a hurricane or a virus. After all, there is always the chance you won’t have access to a store or additional supplies for a period of time when an emergency has occurred.
Typically, pet parents will be more worried about having emergency supplies on hand for their pets than for themselves. So what should you stock up on for your pets?
Essential Emergency Pet Supplies
Here are the essentials you’ll want to be sure to stock up on:
- Pet Food: You’ll want to keep several weeks worths of food on hand. For dry food, an easy way to keep a bag on hand is by getting a new bag as soon as you open one you have. For pets that eat fresh food, you may want to keep an alternate food on hand in case you aren’t able to store the fresh food for the period of time you’ll need it for.
- Water: Some disasters can disrupt the water supply so you’ll want to be sure to have water on hand for your pet. The Red Cross recommends 1 gallon of water a day for each adult person. You might want to adjust the amount you need depending on your pet’s size.
- Pet Medication: If you have a pet who takes medication for a health problem, you’ll want to be sure to have enough on hand to get you through the emergency.
- Cage Cleaning and Litter Supplies: You’ll want to be sure to have litter and other supplies on hand so you can keep your pet clean and comfortable.
- Toys, Chews, and Treats: These might not seem like essential items, but they can help keep your pet busy and reduce stress at a time when their normal routine may be interrupted.
Our pets depend on us to keep them safe. Being prepared in the chance of an emergency is one of the most important things we can do for our pets.
