Emergency kit checklist for cat owners

Cats need water, their usual food and a carrier. Having those ready saves a frantic search later.

Who this plan is for

One adult, with a cat. SupKit's planning assumptions for this household:

Who	Energy a day	Drinking water a day
Adult	2,250 calories	3 L
Pets	Their own food	0.3 L

Water and food for 1 adult and a cat

	3 days	7 days
Drinking water	9.8 L	22.8 L
Food energy	6,750 calories	15,750 calories

What a cat owner should add

Pet food Essential
Enough of your pets' usual food for your chosen number of days.
Water for pets Essential
An estimate based on each pet's species and size.
Pet medication and records
Any medication your pets need, plus vet and vaccination details.
Pet carrier and lead
What you'd need to take your pets with you.

Also on Canada's official kit list

Canada's kit list includes a corded phone, chargers, a flashlight, a radio and spare batteries.²

Everything else every home needs

Food: food for everyone, manual can opener
Water: drinking water
Hygiene: hand sanitiser, wet wipes, toilet paper and bathroom products, personal hygiene supplies
Power & warmth: flashlight, spare batteries, charged power bank, battery or wind-up radio, blankets or sleeping bags, camping stove, warm clothing
Health & safety: first aid kit
Plans & essentials: emergency contacts, meeting point, utility shut-offs, some cash, important documents, insurance details

See the full household checklist for what each one involves.

A sample shopping list for 3 days

One way to reach 6,750 calories with long-life food. SupKit estimate Swap in what your household likes.

Item	How many
Canned chili	4
Canned soup	4
Baked beans	4
Microwave rice pouch 250g	2
Canned tuna	3
Crackers	1
Peanut butter	1
Dried fruit and nuts	1
Granola bars	1
Canned fruit	2

Allergies, dietary needs and children

Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.

Food	Typical allergens	Typically suitable for
Canned chili	varies by recipe	check the label
Canned soup	varies by recipe	vegetarian
Baked beans	none of the main allergens in its main ingredient	vegan
Microwave rice pouch 250g	none of the main allergens in its main ingredient	vegan
Canned tuna	fish	check the label
Crackers	cereals containing gluten	vegan
Peanut butter	peanuts	vegan, gluten free
Dried fruit and nuts	tree nuts	vegan, gluten free
Granola bars	varies by recipe	vegetarian
Canned fruit	none of the main allergens in its main ingredient	vegan, gluten free

Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.

Canada names 11 priority allergens: eggs, milk, mustard, peanuts, crustaceans and molluscs, fish, sesame, soy, sulphites, tree nuts, and wheat and triticale.³
Packaged foods must declare priority allergens and gluten sources by plain source names in the ingredient list, a 'Contains' statement, or both.⁴
Companies may add a 'May contain' warning for possible cross-contamination; it is not a substitute for good manufacturing practices.⁴

Young children

Questions

How much water should a cat owner store?

9.8 L for 3 days or 22.8 L for a week, for 1 adult and a cat, at 3 litres per person per day plus pets.

What extra does a cat owner need?

Pet food: Enough of your pets' usual food for your chosen number of days. Water for pets: An estimate based on each pet's species and size. Pet medication and records: Any medication your pets need, plus vet and vaccination details. Pet carrier and lead: What you'd need to take your pets with you.

Sources

We summarise official guidance in our own words. Always follow advice from your local authorities.