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Testing note: We haven’t hands-on tested this gear. Specs come from the makers’ Amazon listings, checked Oct 26, 2026.
Bottom line: When winter power goes out, pets need the same things you do: a warm, dry place indoors, food, water and their medicine. The AVMA says to have at least 5 days of food, water and medicine ready. Pack it before the storm, add a carrier in case you have to leave, and give your pet a warm bed that doesn’t need electricity.
Our pick
K&H Self-Warming Pet Pad: a 21 x 17 inch reversible pad with a heat-reflecting layer that holds in your pet’s own body heat, with no electricity needed, per the listing. It fits in a bed or crate for cats and small dogs.
Why pets need their own outage plan
The ASPCA puts it simply: if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep them inside (ASPCA). The AVMA notes that cats and dogs can get frostbite and hypothermia (AVMA). In a long winter outage the house cools fast, and pet stores may be closed or the roads too icy to reach them.
Ready.gov says to bring pets indoors at the first sign of a storm, and to plan where they’ll go if you have to leave, since many shelters and hotels don’t allow pets. Ask a friend or relative outside your area about a buddy system, and make sure your pet’s microchip has your current contact info (Ready.gov).
What to pack in a pet outage kit
- Food: several days of food in an airtight, waterproof container (Ready.gov). The AVMA says to plan on at least 5 days of food, water and medicine (AVMA). The ASPCA suggests feeding a little extra in winter (ASPCA).
- Water and a bowl: several days of water for each pet, on top of what your family needs (Ready.gov). Our water storage guide covers the people side.
- Medicine: extra in a waterproof container, including heartworm and flea and tick preventives (AVMA).
- A carrier or crate: a sturdy one for each pet if you can, so you can move them safely (Ready.gov).
- ID and records: a collar with an ID tag, a leash or harness with a backup, registration and vet records in a waterproof bag and saved online, and a photo of you with your pet (Ready.gov).
- Sanitation: litter and a litter box, paper towels and plastic bags (Ready.gov).
- First aid: a pet first aid kit; ask your vet what to put in it (Ready.gov).
- Comfort: a favorite toy or bed helps lower stress (Ready.gov).
Ready.gov suggests two kits: a bigger one for sheltering at home and a lighter one you can grab if you have to leave.
Keep pets warm without power
- Gather in one warm room. Bring the pet bed into the room your family heats or closes off, off the floor and away from drafts (ASPCA). Extra layers help; see our wool blanket picks.
- Coat for short-haired dogs. The ASPCA suggests a coat or sweater with a high collar that covers the dog from the base of the tail to the belly (ASPCA). The AVMA says to keep several on hand, since a wet coat makes a dog colder (AVMA).
- Dry them off. Towel-dry pets that come in wet from snow or sleet (ASPCA). For paws and ice melt, see our pet-safe ice melt guide.
- Leash on snow and ice. The ASPCA says more dogs get lost in winter than in any other season, so keep ID on (ASPCA).
- Careful with heaters. The AVMA warns that space heaters can burn pets or tip over, and that heated pet mats can still cause burns (AVMA). Keep a CO alarm on every level if you use any fuel-burning heat.
- Know the signs of hypothermia. The AVMA lists whining, shivering, seeming anxious, slowing down or stopping, weakness, and looking for warm places to burrow. If you see them, bring your pet into the warmth and call your vet (AVMA).
Our cold-weather pet kit picks
Size the coat and carrier to your pet with each maker’s size chart before you buy. We note who ships and sells each item we checked.
Our pick for heat-free warmth: K&H Self-Warming Pet Pad
A 21 x 17 x 1 inch reversible plush pad that needs no electricity. K&H says its heat-reflecting layer works like a Mylar space blanket, holding in and radiating your pet’s own body heat (Amazon listing). It’s machine washable, weighs 10.24 oz and fits in a bed or crate for cats and small dogs, per the listing. K&H notes the material makes a slight crinkle sound. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Full maker specs: K&H Self-Warming Pet Pad
- Size: 21 x 17 x 1 in
- Power: None; reflects your pet’s own body heat
- Weight: 10.24 oz
- Care: Machine washable; reversible
- Best for: Cats and small dogs, in a bed or crate
For food storage: IRIS USA WeatherPro Airtight Container
Holds up to 50 lb of dry food, with an airtight seal and snap-lock latches to keep out moisture, a translucent body so you can see the level, and removable casters, per the maker (Amazon listing). It measures 18.7 x 15.74 x 21.06 inches, is BPA free and made in the USA. Our link is the black lid; the clear/gray version is here. Both ship from and are sold by Amazon.com.
Full maker specs: IRIS USA WeatherPro
- Capacity: Up to 50 lb dry food (varies by food)
- Seal: Airtight seal, snap-lock latches
- Size: 18.7 x 15.74 x 21.06 in
- Extras: Translucent body; removable casters
- Material: BPA-free plastic; made in USA
For a quick move: Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel
A 24 inch hard-sided carrier for pets up to 15 lb, with steel top and front doors and squeeze latches, ventilation on all sides, a stay-dry moat in the floor and a foldable handle, per the listing (Amazon listing). It measures 24.1 x 16.8 x 14.5 inches, meets most airline cargo specs and is made in the USA from recycled EcoTEC plastic, per Petmate. Our link is blue; Pearl Tan is here. Both ship from and are sold by Amazon.com.
Full maker specs: Petmate Two Door Top Load
- Fits: Pets up to 15 lb
- Size: 24.1 x 16.8 x 14.5 in
- Doors: Steel top and front doors, squeeze latches
- Floor: Stay-dry moat
- Made: USA, recycled EcoTEC plastic
For short-haired dogs: Kurgo Loft Dog Jacket
A reversible, water-resistant ripstop jacket with 140 g polytech fill, a 2-way zipper for a harness, reflective trim and two hook-and-loop adjustment points, per the listing (Amazon listing). Sizes run XS to XL (chest about 15 to 45 inches on the size chart), and it’s machine washable. Our link is the Large in Coastal Blue/Orange, which ships from and is sold by Amazon.com. Pick other sizes and colors on the listing, and check who sells each one.
Full maker specs: Kurgo Loft Dog Jacket
- Shell: Water-resistant Microtomic ripstop
- Fill: 140 g polytech
- Features: Reversible; 2-way harness zipper; reflective trim
- Sizes: XS to XL (chest about 15-45 in)
- Care: Machine wash gentle or hand wash; air dry
For first aid: ARCA PET Cat & Dog First Aid Kit
100+ pieces, including a pet thermometer, an emergency muzzle, a tick remover, a slip leash, a flashlight, a styptic pencil, a thermal blanket and a first aid handbook, per the listing (Amazon listing). The water-resistant nylon case measures 8.5 x 6.5 x 3.25 inches with a reflective zipper, and a small pouch comes along for walks. ARCA says the kit is for minor, everyday situations and isn’t a substitute for a vet. Ships from Amazon, sold by ARCA PET.
Full maker specs: ARCA PET First Aid Kit
- Pieces: 100+
- Includes: Thermometer, muzzle, tick remover, slip leash, flashlight, thermal blanket, handbook
- Case: Water-resistant 1680D nylon; reflective zipper
- Size: 8.5 x 6.5 x 3.25 in; 1.55 lb
- Extra: Mini pouch for walks
More for a winter storm: our winter storm checklist, 72-hour outage kit, snow shovels and pet-safe ice melt and wool emergency blankets.
FAQ
How much food and water should a pet emergency kit have?
The AVMA says to have at least 5 days of food, water and medicine on hand. Ready.gov says several days of food in an airtight, waterproof container, plus several days of water for each pet. In winter the ASPCA suggests feeding a little extra.
How do you keep a dog or cat warm when the power is out?
Keep pets inside, in the warmest room, on a bed off the floor and out of drafts. A self-warming pad or blankets add warmth without power, and a coat helps short-haired dogs. The AVMA warns that space heaters can burn pets or tip over.
What are the signs of hypothermia in pets?
The AVMA lists whining, shivering, seeming anxious, slowing down or stopping, weakness, and looking for warm places to burrow. Bring your pet somewhere warm and call your vet.
What if we have to leave home with our pets?
Ready.gov says many shelters and hotels don’t allow pets, so plan a pet-friendly place or a buddy ahead of time. Take a sturdy carrier for each pet, a light kit with food, water and medicine, and ID and records.
Specs checked Oct 26, 2026, from the makers’ Amazon listings. Guidance from Ready.gov, the ASPCA and the AVMA. We haven’t hands-on tested this gear.