Dogs in an emergency
Applies to the dogs entered in the supplies calculator — it also shows the exact amounts of food and water, calculated from each dog's weight.
Emergency kit per dog (next to the grab bags)
- Food for 10 days (amounts: supplies calculator)
- Water 60 ml per kg of body weight per day — examples: small dog ~10 kg ≈ 0.6 l, medium dog ~20 kg ≈ 1.2 l, large dog ~40 kg ≈ 2.4 l per day
- Collapsible bowl, lead + spare lead, harness, muzzle (often mandatory in emergency shelters and on public transport)
- EU pet passport with a valid rabies vaccination (mandatory when crossing borders within the EU and into Switzerland), copy of the vaccination record
- Microchip number + registration in a pet registry (in Germany e.g. TASSO or FINDEFIX) — note the number: ……
- A current photo of each dog (on paper and on your phone) in case it gets lost
- Regular medication for 4 weeks, worming treatment, tick protection
- Poo bags, towel, blanket, favourite toy (calming)
Canine first aid — the most dangerous cases
| Emergency | Signs | Immediately |
|---|---|---|
| Gastric torsion / bloat (risk especially in large dogs from about 25 kg!) | Restlessness, unproductive retching, bloated hard belly, drooling, weakness | Straight to an emergency vet — minutes count. Do not feed. Prevention: several small meals, no wild exercise for 1–2 h after eating |
| Heatstroke | Heavy panting, dark red tongue, staggering | Into the shade, wet the dog with cool (not ice-cold) water, offer water, vet |
| Poisoning | Vomiting, trembling, seizures | Vet; do not induce vomiting yourself. Toxic: chocolate, xylitol (chewing gum), grapes/raisins, onions/garlic, rat poison, antifreeze |
| Heavy bleeding | Pressure bandage with gauze, do not remove, vet | |
| Cut paw (glass, debris) | Limping | Rinse the paw, bandage, pull a sock over it |
| Hypothermia | Shivering, weakness | Wrap in a blanket, warm (not hot) room |
Normal pulse: large dog 60–100/min, medium dog 70–120/min (inside of the thigh). Temperature 38–39 °C.
What to do in danger
- Siren/air-raid alert: put dogs on the lead and take them into the shelter — dogs bolt in panic at loud bangs.
- Nuclear accident: keep dogs indoors; if they were outside, wipe their fur with a damp cloth and wash their paws.
- Chemical accident: like people, go upstairs, close the windows.
- Blackout: food that needs no refrigeration (dry food), don't forget water, walks in daylight.
- Evacuation: many emergency shelters do not accept animals. Agree on a plan B: friends/relatives elsewhere who would take the dogs: ……
- Stress: fixed routines, a blanket as a retreat, speak calmly.
Contacts (fill in)
| Vet | …… |
| Animal hospital with 24-h emergency service | …… |
| Emergency dog care | …… |