Disasters can happen anytime without notice. You’re prepared, right? You have several days of nonperishable food, bottled water, and extra batteries to weather the storm.

But have you thought about your loyal four legged friends?

When you have a dog or cat, a few extra considerations must be taken in your emergency preparations. Many disaster shelters will not allow pets, so make prior arrangements with friends or family in other states, and have a list of hotels along major routes out of your city that allow pets. Keep the hotel list and copies of your friends’ phone numbers in your pet's emergency bag.

If you have a dog, make sure his identification tags are up-to-date and securely fastened to his collar. If possible, attach the address and/or phone number of your evacuation site. If your gets lost, his tag is his ticket home.

Click HERE to learn how to prepare your family.

What to pack in your dog’s emergency bag:

Veterinary records
Blanket
Food
Manual can opener
Bottled water
Food and water bowl
Wipes
Extra leash
Treats
Toys
Crate liners if your dog will be traveling in a crate
Pet first aid kit
Medications
Current photo in case he gets lost
Your cell # and two emergency contacts

What to pack in your Cat's emergency bag:

Veterinary records
Blanket
Food
Manual can opener
Bottled water
Food and water bowl
Wipes
Leash. Just in case.
Treats
Toys
Crate liners
Pet first aid kit
Small litterbox and litter
Baggies for litter cleanup
Medications
Current photo in case she gets lost
Your cell # and two emergency contacts
Catnip. It's related to the marijuana plant. And although your kitty may act crazy when she gets her 'nip on, it has calmative effects to counter the stress of the situation

If you evacuate, take your dog and cat with you. They will not stand a chance on their own.

Check your pet's emergency preps every 6 months. Rotate the food and replace it with fresh- even dry dog and cat food has an expiration date. And check their medications and adjust or replace as needed. Also, take a new photo every year- your pets looks change as they age, too :)

Take the time to pack a bag and make a plan now- before the disaster happens. Try to think of every possible scenario for your area. If a disaster hits while you are out of town and the roads are closed, do you have a friend or neighbor who can walk Fido and feed and water him and Fluffy? This is what neighbors are for. They will need access to a spare key. And be sure to ask if they have pets, and you could return the favor.

Prior planning is essential. And remember to be patient with your cat and dog, disasters are stressful for your fur-babies too.

Did I miss anything? Have you and your pets survived a disaster? Please share in the comments!

Images via Pixabay