Surveys show that our pets are among the top three things we grab first in an emergency evacuation. But what are you going to do with your pup, once you grab onto them? How are you going to get them – and yourself – to safety? Think of a Dog Go Bag as a “ruff” insurance policy for your fur baby. Pack one and you’ll have everything you need to keep your precious pooch comfortable, comforted and safe if the SHTF. Trust us, with this pack ready you’ll be the “top dog” in the neighborhood.
So round up your furries and let’s get the fun started. In this article, we go over the essential items to put in a go bag for dogs, where to pack them, and some additional things that are helpful to have on hand.
What is a Dog Go Bag?
A Dog Go Bag is like an Emergency Go Bag or 72 hour bug out bag, but for your dog. It’s also called a Dog Travel Bag.
A pet bug out bag / go bag is a collection of essential items that every dog owner should have on hand in case of an emergency.
A dog evacuation gopack is meant to provide for the basic needs of your dog, such as food, water, and medical care, as well as to help them feel more comfortable and secure during a stressful situation.
Why your canine companion deserves the royal treatment
Dogs can feel stress during emergency situations such as fires, floods, and storms. The loud noise, unfamiliar scents, and sudden changes in their environment can be overwhelming for your dogs and can cause them to act in unexpected ways.
They can also be stressed when you take them travelling with you.
Some common signs of stress that dogs may exhibit during these situations include panting, drooling, shaking, refusing food, hiding, and running away. They may also become more aggressive or defensive, or they may withdraw and become less responsive.
In some cases, dogs may even experience physical symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea as a result of stress.
It’s important to remember that dogs are highly intuitive animals, and they can sense when something is wrong even before we do. They may act out of fear, panic or confusion and it’s important to be aware of their behavior and try to keep them calm during the emergency.
A dog go bag or dog travel bag has everything you need to reduce this trauma for your furry family members.
Why have a Go Bag for your dog?
Having a Go bag for your pet means that your whole family – including the furry members – will be prepared for unexpected events such as natural disasters, power outages, and evacuation situations.
It also means that you will be able to act quickly and confidently to take care of your dog if an emergency arises, without having to worry about running out to gather supplies. Emergencies can mean panic for most people. And panicked people don’t pack what they need.
But you can get prepared beforehand by pulling together a little emergency pack or travel bag for your pooch.
Its a simple but essential step in being prepared for the unexpected and ensuring the well-being of your furry friend.
What to pack in an Emergency Go Bag for dogs
There are 3 main aims you’re packing for, when packing your doggie Go Bag:
- To keep them safe – this usually involves restraining your pup (comfortably) so that they don’t run away into danger or can be identified if they do. Our list below covers what you’ll need.
- To keep them comforted – to keep your pup as calm as possible when in a stressful environment. We’ll pack some comfort items to help do this.
- To keep them comfortable – the basics of food, water and medication are critical in keeping your dog physically comfortable as is a mat, bedding or crate to sleep in / on.
Dog Go Bag Checklist
- Food: Pack enough of your dog’s usual kibble for at least three days. Keeping your dog on its usual diet will help prevent stomach upsets. Because you don’t want doggie vomit (or worse) the middle of an emergency!
- Water: the experts say to provide for 1 ounce (1/8 cup) per pound (1/2 kilo) of body weight, per day. In metric, that’s 1/4 cup of water per kilo of weight, per day. So if your dog is 20kg, prepare 1.25L of water per day.
- Medications and vaccination records: Make sure to include any medications your dog is currently taking, as well as their vaccination records in case you need to visit a veterinarian.
- Collar and ID tags: Ensure that your Dog Go Bag has a collar for your dog with up-to-date identification tags in case they get lost.
- Leash and harness: Bring along a leash and harness in case you need to control your dog or move them around safely.
- First aid kit: A basic first aid kit for dogs should include items such as gauze, bandages, hydrogen peroxide, and tweezers.
- Portable water and food bowls: Pack collapsible bowls for food and water.
- Comfort items: Bring along a blanket or toy that your dog is familiar with or an old piece of your clothing. These things can help them feel at ease during stressful situations.
- Treats: Using these to reward good behaviour in new and stressful environments can be good for the relationship between you and your furry best friend.
- An old towel: To wipe them down, cover them up, or clean up after them. Dogs used to live in dens! Covering them up can help them feel safe and protected from their surroundings.
- Dog mat or crate: pack a cozy crate for them to sleep in or mat to sleep on – they’ll be the envy of all the other dogs, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing they have their own little ‘bark-ing’ place.
5 helpful items to have on hand
These 5 items are more for you than your pet. But they can certainly improve the whole experience of getting your pup – and yourself – through the anxiety that comes with emergencies.
- List of emergency contacts: Make sure to include contact information for your veterinarian, as well as friends or family who can help care for your dog if you can’t take it with you.
- Poo bags: don’t get caught out with your pups poop. Pack some poo bags in your dog go bag for those inevitable ‘number two’ emergencies.
- Flashlight and extra batteries : Pack a flashlight and extra batteries in case you need to navigate in the dark (like to go find your dog if it escapes).
- Wet wipes: to clean yourself or any doggy accidents, whichever end they come from.
- Puppy sedatives: if your dog is prone to anxiety it’s worth a visit to the vet to discuss what your options are to keep them calm.
What to pack your Dog Go Bag items in
In a dog backpack of course! Time for your pooch to ‘pull its own weight’ 🙂
A dog travel bag is like a saddlebag that is wearable by your pooch.
There are some great packs big enough for your pooch to carry some of their own survival gear. And how cute and cool would they look!
4 tips to get your pooch to carry its own Dog Go Bag
Seriously, if you’re going to get a backpack for your dog, there are 4 things to remember:
- You’ll need to train your dog to carry the pack well before the pack is used.
- When introducing your dog to a carrying pack, it’s best to start with an empty bag and gradually increase the weight as your dog becomes accustomed to wearing it. This will help your dog to get used to the pack and avoid any potential discomfort or injury.
- Your dog shouldn’t carry more than 20% of its weight. So dog backpacks are really only suitable for medium to larger breeds.
- Packs go from 5L to 20L. But always use your pooch’s chest measurements to get the right size for your dog. Don’t just upsize to get more capacity!
Another great option is to pack your Dog Go Bag in a day pack that attaches to your own backpack. This way you can just strap their pack to yours when the time comes and evacuate quickly, without much hassle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, packing a dog survival bag may seem like a daunting task, but with a little bit of humor and some creative thinking, it can be a lot of fun. Remember, the most important thing is to be prepared for any situation, whether it’s a natural disaster, emergency evacuation, or a long power outage. And let’s be real, who doesn’t want to be the “top dog” in the neighborhood when the apocalypse hits? So pack your bags, grab your pup, and head out the door with confidence – you’re ready for anything!
