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Thursday, March 15, 2018

Pack A Bug-Out Bag For Your Dog Before It's Too Late





Let’s say that S is about to hit the F, which isn’t too hard to imagine with the Russians poisoning people in Britain, a world war of tax deals is about to erupt across the globe and Trump and that North Korean guy about to get together for a you-know-what measuring competition. That’s when having a survival kit and plan is going to come in handy like never before.

Of course, you’ve no doubt imagined this kind of situation before. We all have. We’ve all thought about what would happen if a) world war broke out again, b) an invasion took place or c) a zombie apocalypse broke out. You’d grab your bug-out bag, load the car with essential supplies and make sure you have everyone that means the world to you: significant lover, spouse, kids, siblings, parents, neighbours and maybe even friends.

But what about your dog?

What about that beloved pooch that has been by your side through thick and thin? The one that has been nothing but loyal. Don’t get us wrong, we know that you love your pet as much as anything else in this world, but have you ever thought about them when preparing for a world-changing disaster? Don’t worry - you’re not alone.

Now, when disaster strikes, there is a whole bunch of reactionary thought-processes and actions that are going to take place. There is so much to do in such a short period of time. However, nothing is possible without a bug-out bag. So, without further ado, we have pulled together a list of things you need to pack in your pet's bag should an all-out doomsday scenario come about. Hopefully, it won’t but, like we said, with the clock at two minutes to midnight, you never know.

1. Saddle Up

Depending on the size of your tail-wagger, the best thing you can do is invest in a bug-out bag that’s made for a dog, something they can wear, something like a saddlebag. You’re going to have enough to carry, so get a pack that will help your pooch carry their own supplies. Not only is this going to free you up, it will ensure you have something that quickly attaches to your pups back and. Let’s be honest, when SHTF, time is going to be of the essence.

2. Favorite Foods

We should have to tell you that food is going to be one of the most essential supplies your dog will need, but it’s well worth reinforcing this fact just in case. That said, there is more to packing your dog’s food than just shoving into their saddlebag; you need to think about the weight of it, how much storage space there is and how it is all distributed. The bottom line is: you need to make sure the weight is evenly distributed between both sides or else the bag could slip off, slide around or make it hard for your dog to move freely. Our advice: take what food and snacks you have and separate them into four or six piles and then put these in ziplock bags, placing an even number on either side of the saddlebag. If your dog’s food comes in cans, we recommend you empty it all into air-tight bags to make it lighter and easier to carry or, at the very least, remember to pack a can opener.


3. H20 Go, Go, Go


After the water is all done and dusted, you need to make sure you have plenty of water packed. Once again, the trick is to distribute the weight. It’s also worth assessing how strong your dog is so that you can assess how much they can carry. To give you a little tip, we would urge you to buy a couple of Camelbak-type water carriers, which will make it lighter and more comfortable. Of course, in order for your dog to be able to eat or drink anything, you are also going to have to bring a couple of bowls, preferably collapsible ones to make sure they don’t waste too much space.


4. Live On The Leash

If an apocalypse of any kind erupts, then it doesn’t matter how calm and collected your dog might be, panic will start to fill their senses, which is why you need to have a couple of leashes packed. But don’t just buy any leash, shop today for something that won’t break; something that’s made out of climbing rope or something. Like we said, you want something that can withstand a scared dog yanking on it. The other thing that is worth mentioning is the need for an extra collar and set of tags. You don’t want to run the risk of losing or breaking the only ones you have, not in this situation. Oh, and make sure you have practised certain obedience tricks. You will need them more than ever before.

5. Medication A Must

If your dog takes any medications, and we mean any, then you need to make sure these are included in your dog’s bug-out bag. That said, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just the ones your dog takes on a regular basis. You should also bring along any that may come in handy when you are out surviving. We’re talking about flea and tick medication, dressing to assist with any wounds, and pain medication should the going get tough. It could also be worth investing in a doggy backpack in case you need to carry them at all, for whatever reason.

6. Comforting Is Key

This is a survival kit we’re talking about. It’s that bag of essentials you need to grab before you run because some disaster is coming. That means it is bound to be a pretty terrifying ordeal, even if just some of it is. As such, you need to consider these stresses and how you will keep your dog calm. Our advice: pack their favorite tidbits. Back the creature comforts that will help them stay relaxed. Dog treats, chew toys, blanket, brush, anything you can think of. This will make keeping them calm and relaxed a whole lot easier than just ssshing or whatnot.

Author Amber Higgins

Author Amber Higgins
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Welcome UK and worldwide visitors and friends to Family Disaster Dogs online! Although I'm an American author and dog professional the worldwide web has given me the opportunity to connect with some wonderful folks who have contributed pictures for my books. The "Start Mantrailing" book features RRI K9 North Scotland trained Search and Rescue Dog "Amber" on the cover and her teammates training in the book, plus American dogs using my training methods. A portion of sales of the Start Mantrailing book or copies were donated to RRI North Scotland. The children's picture book "My Puppy Can Find Me" has my daughter and bloodhound as illustrations by UK cartoonist Scotty King. You can find the books on Amazon UK or use the contact page to order from me. When you click the links will take you to your own county pages of this site.

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