Emergency kit checklist for cat owners
25 things to have ready for a cat owner, with how much water and food to store for 1 adult and a cat.
For 1 adult and a cat, store 9.8 L of drinking water and about 6,750 calories of food for 3 days1, plus pet food, water for pets, pet medication and records, pet carrier and lead.
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 Ireland's official kit list
- Irish kit items include a battery, wind-up or solar radio, power banks, and a paper road map in case GPS fails.2
- Ireland advises keeping important documents in a resealable waterproof bag.2
- Irish households should know how to turn off gas and electricity and note their MPRN and GPRN from their bills.2
Everything else every home needs
- Food: food for everyone, manual tin opener
- Water: drinking water
- Hygiene: hand sanitiser, wet wipes, toilet roll and bathroom products, personal hygiene supplies
- Power & warmth: torch, 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 |
|---|---|
| Tinned chilli | 4 |
| Tinned soup | 4 |
| Baked beans | 4 |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | 2 |
| Tinned tuna | 3 |
| Crackers | 1 |
| Peanut butter | 1 |
| Dried fruit and nuts | 1 |
| Cereal bars | 1 |
| Tinned 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tinned chilli | varies by recipe | check the label |
| Tinned 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 |
| Tinned 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 |
| Cereal bars | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Tinned 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.
- Irish (EU) law names 14 allergens: gluten cereals, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin and molluscs.3
- On packaged food, allergens must stand out in the ingredient list, for example through font, style or background colour.4
- For unpackaged food, allergen information must be in writing and easy to find before you buy.3
- 'May contain' warnings are optional, used only where cross-contamination can't be ruled out, and can't replace good manufacturing practice.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
- SupKit planning rules (SupScore 2026.5), SupKit. SupKit's own planning data.
- Be Emergency Ready booklet (accessible version), Department of Defence, Office of Emergency Planning (Government of Ireland). Checked 28 October 2026.
- Food Allergens - Advice for Consumers, Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Labelling - Allergens, Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Checked 28 October 2026.
- SupKit household preparedness checklist (2026.3), SupKit. SupKit's own planning data.
We summarise official guidance in our own words. Always follow advice from your local authorities.
