Pet Emergency Prep for Earthquakes & Floods in NZ: Grab-and-Go Kit Guide

New Zealand is no stranger to natural disasters, from earthquakes and slips to floods and cyclones. While most families are encouraged to keep a 72-hour survival kit ready, many pet owners forget one key thing:

Your pets need an emergency kit too.

If you’re searching for a pet earthquake survival checklist, or wondering what to pack for your cat or dog in a disaster, you’re in the right place. This is your NZ-specific guide to pet emergency prep, designed to help you act fast when time matters most.

Why Do I Need a Pet Emergency Kit in New Zealand?

Because in an emergency, you may not be able to grab supplies, visit a store, or return home for days. If you’re evacuated or sheltering in place, your pet will need food, water, and safe containment, just like you.

Situations where a kit is essential:

• Earthquakes or aftershocks
• Floods or landslides
• Power or water outages
• Cyclone or storm evacuations
• Unexpected vet or emergency transport

The NZ Civil Defence recommends having a grab-and-go bag for every family member, including animals.

What Should Be in a Pet Emergency Grab-and-Go Kit?

Here’s what to pack for dogs and cats. This list assumes you may be away from home for 3-7 days.

Essentials:

• Food (3–7 days' supply) in sealed bags or tins
• Dry kibble or canned food with easy-open tops
• Include a pet food scoop or travel bowl
• Water (3–5 litres per pet)
• Plus a collapsible water bowl
• Medications or supplements (include flea/worm treatments or calming essentials)
• Copies of vet records & microchip info in a waterproof ziplock

Containment & Comfort:

• Lead, harness or crate, use an escape-proof harness or travel crate
• Poop bags or litter tray + litter
• Bring 10+ waste bags and hand sanitiser
• Blanket or toy with familiar smell (helps reduce stress in loud or crowded shelters)

First Aid (Pet-Specific):

• Bandages, gauze, scissors
• Saline eye wash
• Tick remover
• Gloves
• Pet-safe disinfectant
• Pet First Aid Kit or build-your-own

Pro tip: Pack everything in a labelled waterproof backpack or duffel — something you can grab in 10 seconds.

What Does a Dog Need in a Civil Defence Emergency?

Dogs can get highly anxious during earthquakes or floods, and they may bolt or freeze if not secured.

Must-haves for dogs:

• Durable lead & harness
• Portable crate or travel carrier
• Food & water for 3+ days
• First aid + poop bags
• Familiar-smelling blanket or toy
• Optional: calming chews or sprays

What About Cats? Do They Need Their Own Kit?

Absolutely. Cats need secure transport, quiet space, and litter options, especially if they flee or panic during shaking or evacuations.

• Ventilated carrier or top-entry crate
• Towel or fleece to drape for privacy
• Litter tray + litter (even a shallow cardboard box works)
• Food, water & dishes
• Optional: pheromone spray to reduce stress

How Can I Help My Pet Stay Calm During a Natural Disaster?

• Train pets to enter their carrier or crate calmly
• Practice leash-ups and car exits with dogs
• Add familiar bedding or toys to reduce scent shock
• Use calming sprays, chews or diffusers as part of daily routines
• Never leave pets behind, plan for them in evacuation routes

Remember, a calm pet is easier to evacuate and safer to manage in shared spaces.

Can I Buy a Ready-Made Emergency Kit for Pets?

While few NZ-specific kits exist, you can build your own using:

• First Aid Kits & grooming tools
• Dog & cat travel gear
• Food & feeding accessories
• Waste management essentials

Look for lightweight, packable gear, and test it before a real emergency hits.

Emergency Checklist (Copy, Print, Stick on the Fridge!)

• Food & water for 3–7 days
• Bowls, scoop, treats
• Medication & vet contacts
• Lead, harness, carrier
• Waste bags or litter
• First-aid kit
• Comfort item or blanket
• Emergency contacts + photo of your pet
• Local shelter & vet options (in case of evacuation)

Where Can I Go With Pets in an Emergency in NZ?

Not all evacuation centres or shelters allow animals, so it pays to research pet-friendly civil defence locations in advance.

Things to check:

• Do nearby shelters allow pets?
• Is your dog crate-trained or car-safe?
• Can you stay with friends or whānau who accept pets?

You can also register with:

• Local council pet alert systems
• SPCA NZ for disaster assistance

TL;DR - Be Pet-Ready When Disaster Strikes

• Build a pet emergency kit with food, water, comfort, and containment
• Prep your dog or cat to travel calmly in a crate or on lead
• Include vet records, meds, and a first aid kit
• Practice, don’t just pack!
• Never leave pets behind

Petdirect’s Take

Your pet relies on you for safety, especially when the world gets loud, wet, or unpredictable.

That’s why we’ve made it easy to shop for pet-safe essentials for your grab-and-go bag. From first aid to collapsible bowls and travel crates, everything you need to be ready is right here:

Build your pet emergency kit now!

Stay safe. Stay ready.