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.
What official guidance in the UK says
- UK kit includes pet food and bottled water for pets.2
Also on the UK's official kit list
- UK kit includes a battery or wind-up FM radio and a charged power bank.2
- UK kit includes a torch with spare batteries, and blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothes.2
- UK kit includes cash in a mix of coins and notes, plus cards.2
- UK kit includes copies of ID and documents, key phone numbers, a first aid kit and essential medication.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.
- UK food law names 14 major allergens, including cereals containing gluten, milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, soya, sesame, celery, mustard and sulphites.3
- On pre-packed food in the UK, these allergens must be emphasised in the ingredients list, for example in bold.3
- 'May contain' warnings aren't a legal requirement, so a missing warning doesn't guarantee a food is free of an allergen.3
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 Ready Checklist (PDF, created 2026-10-15), UK Government (Cabinet Office) Be Ready campaign. Checked 28 October 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- Food allergy and intolerance advice for consumers, Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK). Checked 28 October 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- 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.
