Apocalypse Meow! (Bugging Out With Cats)

Most people prefer not to think about the worst-case scenarios in their lives, but for us as collapse preppers that is exactly what we have to do. And that doesn’t just mean for ourselves but for our family members as well. All family members. So, when it comes to making sure our animal companions are safely evacuated in the inevitable bug out, there’s no time like the present to prepare! Here are my tips for bugging out with cats after a collapse event.

Bugging out with dogs is usually going to be relatively easy, whether you go by vehicle or on foot. They are all about going places, and will usually already be used to normal walks and such. You can train dogs to load up in a carrier on command and even teach them to carry their own packs. But, I personally have a couple animal companions of the feline variety, and if you do as well maybe you are wondering what you can do to make sure your cat has a chance to survive as well. That is what we will go over here, and there is a full video on my YouTube channel as well.

Remember, this kind of prepping is about the preparation for the collapse of civilization, and with that in mind we have to remember that bugging-in from an urban location is not advisable. In fact, in a total SHTF scenario, it is almost certainly a death sentence for you as well as your furry friends. To avoid both of you ending up on your own dinner table, bugging out is a must. And that means you are going to have to be prepared to either take your cat with you, or leave them behind.

Now, I have a little more attachment to my animal companions than some, so I am of the “No Pet Left Behind” mentality. Thus we won’t be going into any of that ridiculous “leave them behind” stuff.

Cat Training & Conditioning

Contrary to popular belief cats can be trained. Ok, I know, that seems like an impossibility to some, but it is true. They can be trained or at the very least they can be conditioned to tolerate certain things, or even learn to enjoy going for car rides or walks on a harness/leash system. Cat herding, while frustrating in the beginning, is a good skill to develop, and a lot of it comes from your relationship with your cats and how close that is.

Like people, some cats prefer to spend their life snoozing on the sofa, while others have a more adventurous spirit. This lifestyle of theirs will determine if it is easy or hard to train them for an emergency, but one way or the other, they can be trained to accept a harness and leash as a safe way to explore the outdoors. Before you evacuate is the time to find out if your cat is willing to walk on a leash, and to start conditioning them to accept both that and carrier travel, whether they like it or not. 

Preparing your cat to evacuate:

1. Selecting the right carrier for your cat. A cat carrier, securely fastened in your vehicle is the safest way to transport your cat. Not only does it prevent escapes when doors are opened, but it keeps your cat from interfering with your driving. Cats should be able to stand, sit, and turn around in their carrier. Generally, a carrier should be one and a half times the size of your cat. If the carrier is too big it can be uncomfortable trying to balance and carry the carrier without having your cat slide from one side to another. Tip: A top-loading carrier is usually easier to get a cat into in a hurry. Especially if they have picked up on your nervousness in an emergency situation.
2. Condition your cat to travel. If every trip your cat takes is to the vet they will quickly associate their carrier with an unpleasant experience. Let them explore the vehicle while it is parked. Work your way up to short rides that don’t involve going to the vet. Maybe a visit to a friend they already know and like, even if it is just a short meet, greet and treat.
3. Select the right harness for your cat. Unlike dogs, cats have soft throats and can choke if walked with just a collar, so a well-fitting harness that they can’t escape is a must. Check out this link to see recommendations to help you select the right harness for your cat.
4. Leash train your cat. Once your cat has grown accustomed to wearing the harness it is time to start leash training. Just like with training them to accept a carrier, training needs to be done gradually for short periods and building up to longer periods starting indoors and working up to outdoor training and eventually longer walks.
5. Take your cat hiking. Cats do not have the same stamina as dogs and they do not like to get wet so you need to be prepared to help your cat over water obstacles. Also, be prepared to carry your cat, some people have had success bringing a soft side carrier that they attach to their backpack and others choose to bring a front pack. Since front packs often have large “windows” it allows the cat to enjoy the view without the effort. As with any carrier you need to accustom your cat to it before you are out on the trail. 

One of the most important things when it comes to getting out of your home quickly with your cats is having a good carrier for each cat – I’m partial to the convertible backpack carrier types myself. Get your cat comfortable with their carrier ahead of time by leaving it out in the open and using treats and favorite toys to create positive associations.

You will also need to know where your cats favorite hiding places and “safe spots” are. Ideally, you will have prepared well in advance and will be paying attention to events around you, so you won’t have to try and evacuate in the middle of the shit-hitting portion of SHTF, but if something truly surprising happens, you will need to be able to locate a stressed and freaked out cat in a hurry. Knowing where they tend to go, and having practiced methods for retrieving them will be vital when time is of the essence.

Cats Need Preps Too

You have a bug out bag, right? And your other family member have bug out bags too, yeah? Well, the same goes for the cats. Sometimes the necessary items can be included in the bag of the cat-responsible member of the party, or perhaps it is a stand-alone bag all its own, to be grabbed along with the cat when the boom comes down.

Remember, just like for people, the bag and its contents should reflect a careful consideration of your unique bug out plan, as well as the environment where you will be operating. The bag must be tailored to your cat’s specific needs and the overall plan. Here are some things to consider:

1. Litter/litter box – This one is at the top of the list because it’s the one that’s most often forgotten in an emergency. Even adventurous cats may prefer a litter box to the great outdoors, so it’s important to have a portable bathroom for them. Disposable litter trays can come in handy for an emergency kit, but you should also get a sturdy travel one.
2. Food/water – This is an obvious item, but you need to pay special attention to the stash of food on hand in your bug out bag. Cats have specific needs, and you will need to calculate how to fill those needs during and after a bug out. It’s best to plan for your standard travel time, and then double that. Cats also sometimes stop eating when they’re stressed, and that can be very dangerous. Make sure your bag has some of their absolute favorite foods and treats that you know they’ll be excited to eat no matter what the circumstances. I will get deeper into food supplies further on in the article.
3. Medication/First Aid – Bring all essential medications, including flea-prevention meds during an evacuation. Fleas can become both a nuisance and a health hazard, and the last thing you need is more of those after SHTF. If your cat is on prescription medications, try and stock as much of it as possible beforehand. In addition, having a few medical items specifically for cats is a good idea, like a small veterinary kit.
4. Comfort Items – Sometimes a familiar scent or routine can make your cat feel more safe on the road. These are things around the home that have been infused with your cat’s scent. Maybe a blanket that they slept on for a while, you can fold it up and put it in your bag once it’s nice and marinated with their scent, or keep it with the carrier as you are getting them used to it. I also recommend including an article of your clothing – for example, a t-shirt you’ve worn for a couple of days. Cats define their world through scent, so these items will help your cat feel secure in times of high insecurity. It will keep them from becoming restless and should discourage destructive behaviors like marking or scratching.
5. Pet Carrier & Harness – We use a backpack because it’s easier than a bulky plastic carrier and it provides an alternative to the harness and leash when the cats must be restrained. We also have their special harnesses and leashes ready to go. Finally, since it isn’t good to keep the cats confined when not necessary, we also bring pop-up cat enclosures that can be set up inside or outside for the cats to walk around in. These give the cats more room to stretch their legs but still keep them safe and secure in an unfamiliar space.
6. Catnip & Silvervine – My vet has always recommended catnip or silvervine as a way to help distract cats from stressful situations. This powerful cat attractant can be used to encourage play, to relax the cats after the initial evacuation chaos, or simply as a way to get your cat in the carrier to begin with. It’s the collapse of civilization, people, we might all want to get a little high at some point.
7. Extras – Things like collapsible bowls, tick removers, flea combs and other stuff will also be a good idea to think about and have ready.

I am sure you may have other items you want to include, and that is good. You kit should be tailor made for your specific needs The most important point is to have an emergency kit handy and a plan in place.

Nutritional Needs For Cats

When it comes to food and water, you are really going to have to do the work to customize your bag to support your cat’s nutritional needs. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. Cats evolved as hunters that consume prey that contains high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and a minimal amount of carbohydrates, and their diet still requires these general proportions today. Cats also require more than a dozen other nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids.

Just like with humans, a cat’s calorie requirements depend on several factors. Calories, the technical term for energy from food, are required for essential processes such as digestion, respiration, nervous and circulatory system control, and other normal bodily functions. In addition to the body’s basic needs, a cat’s daily intake is determined by age, sex, activity level, and body condition.

There are several valuable tools available for determining your cat’s specific needs based on all those factors and more. One of the ones I use is the MER Calculator on the Purina website. Another is the Nutritional Content Calculator on the “little carnivore” website. Use these links for more information on calculating the exact daily needs of your cat.

Same goes for water. And that gets extra confusing sometimes, because most cats get the majority of their water from the food they eat, rather than from drinking. Here is yet another calculator, this one a water calculator, from Expert Cat Care.

So, once you have your requirements figured out, then you can create meal plans and prep accordingly. One of the things I keep as a staple is a bunch of the little squeeze packs that are basically treats. These things are usually about 90% water, and a great way to make sure your cats are staying hydrated during the apocalypse.

Conclusion

I have made a video about this subject on my channel which you can check out to see some of the items that i keep on hand, and even get to see some of the cats in question. Also, I will make a list available here that details all of the items I keep in my own “Kat Kit” if you want to check them out. These are things that I will feature in the video, and all are items I have used extensively over the years.

One other subject I would like to touch on briefly is just how your cats can help you down the road, after the bug out is over and you are getting set up at your new home away from civilization.

Once in a new location, and adapted to their new lives as refugee cats, yours will adapt pretty quickly to being able to care for themselves for the most part. Cats are natural hunters and will help keep rodents out of gardens, so once you start growing food, they can prevent crop damage and loss. Rodents carry disease, and after the collapse of civilization things can get dirty fast, and rodent populations can increase fast. Cats will encourage them to go towards easier targets than where you live. Cats can actually get a lot of their own diet if they have game to hunt. For the most part, they are actually much better suited to survival in the wild than you are, so while getting them safely to their new home will be on your shoulders, the load gets easier once they are settled in.

Take care of your animal companions. They are counting on you to get them out of this unnatural and dangerous urban environment when collapse comes. And afterwards, they can be a great comfort in dark times.