Planning An Emergency Bag For A Cat - Any Advice Appreciated

Moka

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I am going to apologize right now for such a long post. While planning this out I have come to realize what a huge nightmare it is to have EVERYTHING a cat needs in one place, ready to go. So, any thoughts or suggestions are welcome and much appreciated! :)
I have decided that it is a good idea to make an emergency go bag. I am definitely not a "prepper" (not that there is anything wrong with that) but, the way the world is going I think it might be wise to have some sort of emergency supplies ready. I also live in a large apartment complex with a lot of older people who seem to set something on fire every other week. :paranoid: So, I need something that I can grab and go. The main reason for assembling this bag is for Salem, my 10 month old kitten. I need to be able to grab her and our kit and go. I have a pet stroller with a nice sized storage basket under it and I am planning on getting a big duffel bag that can handle up to 50 lbs. I was wondering if anyone here has any suggestions for what I should include for Salem. Whether it be a fire or a major disaster, I would like to be ready. I obviously still need to fit my stuff in that duffel as well. But, I have not decided exactly what I am going to include yet. Plus, to complicate matters, I will only have one free hand to carry stuff as I walk with a crutch on one side. That is why I like the stroller since I can load up Salem, throw the duffel either on top of it or over my shoulder and go. I do not have a vehicle, so I can't just leave the supplies in the trunk or something. I do have a soft cat carrier that I might include as a back up in case I have to abandon the more bulky stroller. Salem is a very nervous cat to say to least. But, she does seem to feel safe in the stroller and it is big enough for her to move around a little. I am betting if it ever came to an emergency evacuation, Salem would lose her mind. I would probably struggle to handle her and would be luck to even get her into the stroller at all. Whenever the fire alarm goes off, she hides under the bed, out of reach. I can't really blame her either as the stupid thing is deafening and the strobe light is blinding. So, any suggestions on how to get her into the stroller quickly during an emergency? My worst fear is that I will be forced to immediately evacuate during a fire and won't be able to get to Salem in time.:cringe: Though, I would have to be physically dragged out before I left without her.
The biggest thing I am trying to figure out is the litter box. I am stuck between a disposable cardboard litter box or a foldable, suitcase style litter box. Plus, litter is obviously heavy. The only thing I can think of is to place her litter supplies in the bottom storage compartment of the stroller along with a small jug of light weight litter. But, that will take up all of the space in the stroller, so the rest of Salem's stuff would need to go into the duffel. I love cats, but this is their one "disadvantage" when compared to dogs. I wish you could just take a cat for a walk to do their business. ;)
I am not sure how much food to include, but Salem is a kibble addict and refuses wet food (working on changing that). So, I figured I would pack a supply of her dry only. If it really were an emergency situation and Salem was stressed, it would be a challenge to get her to eat at all, let along canned food. So, I don't see the point in taking up valuable space with cans that will go to waste. As far as the dry goes though, Salem eats up to, but often less than a 1/2 cup of dry a day. 1/2 cup of dry weights about 4 oz. So, there would in theory be 4 days worth of food per pound of dry. Her food comes in 2 lbs bags. Do you think an 8 day supply of food would be enough? Do you think I should include a bag of her favorite treats to help keep her calm?
I plan on putting together a custom first aid kit as the premade ones are expensive and leave much to be desired. Is there any medical supplies that I should include just for Salem? I will be adding a bottle of her tummy meds(Homeopet feline digestive upset remedy) and a bottle of Kwik-Stop Styptic Powder. I will also include a few sterile oral syringes and some kind of cat safe wound spray or wipes. What else could a cat need that is not part of a standard human first aid kit?
I made up a binder with all of Salem's medical and dietary information. It also contains her microchip number and any emergency phone numbers. I think I will start storing the binder in the bug out bag and just take it out to update it as needed so it won't get left behind.
What would you include in your bug out bag for you kitty? Am I going overboard here?
Thanks! :purr:
 

Jem

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Well, if I were to make a bug out bag for my kitty it would include:
  • bottled water (enough for you as well)
  • stainless steel water bowl (easy to clean and won't break)
  • food and treats, and maybe some dried catnip to help with stress?
  • any/all medications/supplements
  • syringes, in case force feeding/drinking is necessary
  • disinfecting wipes or a disinfecting solution that's safe for cats and cotton balls/pads (enough for you as well)
  • favorite blanket that smells like him/her
  • favorite toy (for familiarity)
  • if by chance food is too difficult, or you run out, maybe some KMR in powder form that can be mixed with water at feeding time?
Instead of a cardboard box, what if you used a small litter pan, and kept her litter separate in a litter box liner/bag. Then the litter pan can just sit on the bottom of your stroller, and you can still store stuff on top of it. Then when needed just open her bag of litter and spread it out so she can use it, but the box will always stay clean, so when she is done just close up the bag with her litter in it and tuck it away until next time, or if you are on the move.
If you like the last idea, an extra litter pan liner/bag, just in case the first one rips.
Another litter box idea, would be a box with a removable lid, kinda like the "Kitty poo club" where you get a new box every month, or a small, shallow storage bin with a lid, again, you can keep the lid on it, and store it under the stroller, so you can still put stuff on top

I would think that anything else you would need for kitty are also things that you would need for yourself, like things to stay warm, things to keep stuff clean/disinfected, water, food etc...

I really hope you never have to use your bug out bag for a disaster type situation, and if you are displaced because of neighbors who can't cook and burn the place down, that you have a place to go. Once there, you can always just go get what you need. In any case, for an emergency, they recommend enough supplies for 3 days. But that is for humans, so when it comes to any medications or cat food, I would try to have a bit more on hand because in emergency situations, they are more concerned with bringing supplies to humans and not pets.

When it come to getting kitty into the carrier/stroller. I would place a blanket or towel over her (including her head), wrap, and simply pick her up. When a cat's head gets covered, it does tend keep them a bit more still, so you can grab them and go. And it will also protect you from teeth and claws if she is feisty. In an emergency, you gotta move fast (but safely) and worry about soothing your stressed kitty later, when you are both safe.

I wonder if you were to store her carrier under the bed with a blanket in it, if THAT is where she would run to, to hide? Then all you would have to do is quickly reach under the bed, hold it closed, pull out the carrier then secure the door? Just a thought.
 
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Moka

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Well, if I were to make a bug out bag for my kitty it would include:
  • bottled water (enough for you as well)
  • stainless steel water bowl (easy to clean and won't break)
  • food and treats, and maybe some dried catnip to help with stress?
  • any/all medications/supplements
  • syringes, in case force feeding/drinking is necessary
  • disinfecting wipes or a disinfecting solution that's safe for cats and cotton balls/pads (enough for you as well)
  • favorite blanket that smells like him/her
  • favorite toy (for familiarity)
  • if by chance food is too difficult, or you run out, maybe some KMR in powder form that can be mixed with water at feeding time?
Instead of a cardboard box, what if you used a small litter pan, and kept her litter separate in a litter box liner/bag. Then the litter pan can just sit on the bottom of your stroller, and you can still store stuff on top of it. Then when needed just open her bag of litter and spread it out so she can use it, but the box will always stay clean, so when she is done just close up the bag with her litter in it and tuck it away until next time, or if you are on the move.
If you like the last idea, an extra litter pan liner/bag, just in case the first one rips.
Another litter box idea, would be a box with a removable lid, kinda like the "Kitty poo club" where you get a new box every month, or a small, shallow storage bin with a lid, again, you can keep the lid on it, and store it under the stroller, so you can still put stuff on top

I would think that anything else you would need for kitty are also things that you would need for yourself, like things to stay warm, things to keep stuff clean/disinfected, water, food etc...

I really hope you never have to use your bug out bag for a disaster type situation, and if you are displaced because of neighbors who can't cook and burn the place down, that you have a place to go. Once there, you can always just go get what you need. In any case, for an emergency, they recommend enough supplies for 3 days. But that is for humans, so when it comes to any medications or cat food, I would try to have a bit more on hand because in emergency situations, they are more concerned with bringing supplies to humans and not pets.

When it come to getting kitty into the carrier/stroller. I would place a blanket or towel over her (including her head), wrap, and simply pick her up. When a cat's head gets covered, it does tend keep them a bit more still, so you can grab them and go. And it will also protect you from teeth and claws if she is feisty. In an emergency, you gotta move fast (but safely) and worry about soothing your stressed kitty later, when you are both safe.

I wonder if you were to store her carrier under the bed with a blanket in it, if THAT is where she would run to, to hide? Then all you would have to do is quickly reach under the bed, hold it closed, pull out the carrier then secure the door? Just a thought.
Yeah, I hope I never need an emergency kit for a disaster either. If if were just myself, I would not bother, but I would just rather be safe than sorry when it come to my little one's well being.
I like the idea of storing a carrier under the bed. I am going to give that a try. Using a storage bin with a lid as a litter box is a great idea! I will start shopping around for one that is the right size. I wish I could use some kind of litter liner, but Salem has pica and will absolutely chew it up and eat it if left alone for even a moment.
Thank You for your advice!
 

marmoset

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I think something we overlook a lot is a having a plan. Do you know who you will call or where you will go after bugging out? If you are going to go stay with a friend or relative I wouldn't worry too much about having a lot. Lighter is better. You don't want to be struggling to carry things on your way out. In an emergency the lights may be out, maybe there will be some emergency lighting in the halls but the elevators will be down and lights in the stairwells don't work- or at least they didn't when I was evacuating my apartment building.

So think about what you can carry easily in dim light during stress with possible loud noise and chaos.

Also think about how you pack it. The things you will need to evacuate should be on top or out so you can them quickly. Things that you will need once you are successfully in safety can go towards the bottom.

It's good to have a plan:)
 

posiepurrs

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I would also take photos/scans of all medical records, microchip records, with my cell phone that way if it gets wet or destroyed you have it on hand. The few shelters who do allow pets would probably require proof of vaccination. As for medicines, I believe for humans it is suggested having a few weeks worth so I would probably double that for a pet. I think I would also harness train the cat and pack that harness in the bag. It makes controlling them in unfamiliar places easier. There are also collapsible tents such as this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/SportPet...te-Medium-For-Kennel-Trained-Pet-Only/5192525
This tent is extremely light weight and easy to pack as it folds down totally flat. I have 2 I use when needed. You may want to ask yur vet what he would suggest for a first aid kit based on your cat.
 

Kieka

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I always keep enough food on hand for two weeks so we don't have a separate food for emergencies. Each cat has their own carrier and we have a large crate if we need more long term housing. I've thought about getting a nice camping tent with separate rooms so that the cats could have a room and the humans have a separate area if shelter is needed. But we have an RV, so if there is time to grab a heavy tent there is probably time to drive the RV. If not, my car will work for temporary confinement and housing in a pinch.

I also have water purifier tablets and life straws to filter water with along with always keeping two flats of water bottles in the garage (we use them throughout the year and always make sure to have one unopened one).
 
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