Every Day Carry Survival Kit For Dog Owners

Every Day Carry (EDC) means the most basic survival kit that you always have with you. This should be the basic emergency kit that you need to get you home in any scenario. The list of survival kit for dog owners below includes basic survival kit and other items that you will need when out with dogs.

I have a small backpack containing everything on this list. It’s always ready to grab every time I go out with the dogs. The basic dog walking items, such as poo bags and dog treats mean that I don’t have to remember to take anything other than this bag.

Every day carry survival kits are a compromise between full survival kit and convenience for carrying. This kit list is intended to be able to survive outdoors for a few hours, or at most overnight. It will allow you to make your way back to more complete survival kit at home or in your car if disaster hits while you are out.

The first items on the list of survival kit for dog owners are normal items that most dog walkers carry. The items further down the list make up the survival kit. The survival items will not be needed most of the time, but they may save your life if disaster strikes.

1. Bottle of water – carry some water when out walking so that you and your dog can have a drink.
2. Collapsible dog drinking bowl – it’s not easy for dogs to drink from a water bottle, so a bowl is much easier. A collapsible or foldable bowl takes up little room when folded up. This set of two collapsible dog bowls can be used for food and water.
3. Dog treats – Keeping some dog treats to hand when out walking with dogs is always useful to give them a little reward. These should be easily accessible, so keep them in a side pocket or strap pocket if your backpack has one.
4. Poo bags – This one doesn’t need much additional description! Poo bags need to be very easily accessible. Use a dispenser clipped to your dog’s lead, or a backpack strap. I particularly like this poo bag dispenser by MalsiPree because it’s tough and attaches securely to either a backpack or a lead. It also has a hook to carry the ‘filled’ bags so you don’t have to hold them.
5. Hand sanitiser and wipes – Always useful to keep your hands clean after using the item above in this list.
6. Clip on reflectors – reflectors to clip on to your dog’s lead and collar or harness, as well as your clothing or backpack. These make you more visible to cars if you are out at night.
7. Slip lead – a spare slip lead is useful in case your main lead or the dog’s collar or harness gets damaged. The slip lead doesn’t need a collar or harness to attach to, it just goes around the dog’s neck. It’s also useful if you come across a lost dog that you need to quickly slip a lead on to.
8. Tick removal tool – Dogs (and people) can attract ticks easily when walking through long grass. Remove ticks the correct way with a tick removal tool.
9. Cash – a small amount of cash is always useful in case you need to buy a drink or a bus fare.
10. Swiss Army Knife – the first of the survival kit items is a knife. A knife is a vital piece of survival kit. Swiss Army Knives are great for every day carry, because they are legal to carry in the UK, and have a variety of tools. The Huntsman Swiss Army Knife is relatively inexpensive at around £30. I like this knife because, in addition to two knife blades, it has a wood saw, small scissors and a number of other tools.
11. Water filter – use a water filter to purify water from streams and other water sources. The Sawyer Mini water filter is a very popular water filter, and takes up very little room in your kit.
12. First aid kit – use a first aid kit for treating injuries for yourself and your dog. You could make your own first aid kit, or buy a ready made one. This mini first aid kit includes items you would need to treat minor injuries, including bandages that could treat an injured dog leg.
13. Food – Include some food in your survival kit to give you energy to get back home. This should be something long lasting that will stand up to being stored in a backpack. I keep a couple of Seven Oceans Emergency Food Rations in my survival kit. These are 500 gram bars, each providing 2500 kcal, and fairly balanced nutrition. They last for several years in their packaging, and are a great emergency food source.
14. Dog food – Just as you’ll want some food for energy to survive, keep some long lasting dog food in your survival kit for dog walkers too. This also needs to be something that will last a long time stored in your backpack. Sealed pouches of dog food, or sealed packets of chews work well. It doesn’t need to be the same as the dog’s normal diet as this is only for emergency situations.
15. Lighter – the most basic of fire starting equipment. You could swap the lighter for some waterproof matches, or a ferro rod fire starter. Also consider including some tinder to help get a fire started.
16. Foil blanket – foil blankets can help you retain most of your body heat, and provide protection from the elements. They take up very little room in your kit when folded. I have two of these in my kit so that I can use one on the ground and wrap myself and my dog in the other.
17. Paracord – Paracord has so many uses, and should be included in any survival kit. Use paracord in conjunction with the foil blankets to create a short term shelter from the elements.
18. Duct tape – another common survival kit item, duct tape can be used for repairs to equipment. Include a small amount in your kit so that you’re always prepared if anything needs a quick repair.
19. Torch – A small torch is very useful in case you have to spend time outdoors in the dark. Include some spare batteries so that you don’t get caught out with no power.