Water Preparedness For Families With Pets
In a disaster, your pets rely on you completely. They can’t ask for water, and they certainly can’t find clean sources on their own. Yet water for pets is one of the most overlooked areas of emergency planning. Many families stock up on food and medical supplies but forget to store adequate water for their furry companions.
If you’re just starting to prepare, check out our Emergency Preparedness Water Guide. It covers foundational planning for your household and links to focused guides like this one to help you protect every member of your family—including the four-legged ones.
How Much Water Do Pets Need?
The general rule of thumb: store one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day for dogs and cats. For example, a 60-pound dog needs at least half a gallon per day. During emergencies, stress, heat, or injury can increase that need.
Smaller animals, like birds or reptiles, often require less—but their water must be changed frequently to remain safe. Fish, of course, require a whole different system; make sure you have a backup for water filtration and temperature regulation if you keep an aquarium.
When in doubt, store at least one gallon per day per medium-sized pet to be safe.
Stress Changes Hydration Needs
Animals become stressed in unfamiliar environments or when their routine changes—just like people do. But unlike us, they can’t always communicate when they’re thirsty.
Keep a close eye on pets during evacuations, shelter-ins, or periods of disruption. Stress may cause them to drink more, eat less, or avoid water altogether. Make sure they have access to water at all times and that it’s in a familiar container.
Don’t forget: traveling pets may not recognize new bowls. Include their regular water dish in your go-bag if space allows.
Safe Water Only
Don’t assume your pet can drink water you wouldn’t. Pets are susceptible to the same pathogens and toxins that affect humans. Water from puddles, streams, or unknown sources can carry bacteria, parasites, or harmful chemicals.
Use the same purified water you would drink for your pets. If you’re boiling, filtering, or chlorinating water for your family, do the same for them.
It’s also important to avoid sharing drinking sources between animals during emergencies. Communal bowls can spread illness quickly, especially in crowded shelters or makeshift evacuation centers.
Supplies to Include in Your Pet Emergency Kit
Your pet’s emergency kit should include water-related items like:
- Collapsible or portable water bowls
- A sealed bottle or jug of clean water
- Extra water for flushing wounds or cleaning paws
- Pet-safe water purification tablets (if available)
- Familiar water container to reduce drinking hesitation
If your pet requires any water-related medication or equipment (like misting for reptiles or hydration syringes for small mammals), make sure backups are included in your kit.
They Depend on You
Disasters can be overwhelming for pets. They can’t understand what’s happening—but they feel it. By planning ahead, you make sure your pet isn’t left thirsty, sick, or scared in the middle of a crisis.
At Hope Force International, we believe every member of the family matters. Whether two-legged or four, no one should face disaster alone. If you want to help bring safety and support to families in crisis, donate to our disaster relief efforts.
Or, take it a step further: get trained as a Hope Force Reservist and learn how to serve people—and their beloved pets—when it matters most.
