Let me paint you a picture.
You go to grab your dog’s flea prevention — the one she’s been on for three years, the one she tolerates perfectly — and it’s out of stock. Everywhere. Or you try to reorder your cat’s prescription food and the website says “unavailable”
That’s not a hypothetical. It’s been happening, and there are real reasons to think it’ll keep happening.
As a veterinarian, I’ve watched supply chain issues trickle into the clinic: backorders on medications we use every day, prescription diets that are hard to source, products that used to be reliably on shelves suddenly just… not.
Being prepared isn’t about panicking — it’s just part of being a responsible pet owner. So let’s talk about what’s actually worth stocking up on — from a vet who uses most of this stuff herself.
Why This Is Worth Thinking About Right Now
Supply issues with pet food and veterinary products aren’t new, but they’ve definitely become a bit more unpredictable lately. Things like shipping delays, manufacturing hiccups, and even policy changes can all affect what’s available at any given time.
Because of that, many veterinary clinics — especially smaller ones — try to keep a little extra on hand so they don’t run out of important supplies. Pet food prices have also gone up over the past few years, and every now and then you might still notice certain items are harder to find than usual.
Even I’ve found myself picking up a little extra cat food and litter here and there, just in case.
This isn’t a reason to clear out your local pet store. But a thoughtful, rotating stockpile of the things your pet uses regularly? That’s just good sense.
Here’s what I like to keep on hand for my own pets as a vet.
Pet Food: What To Stock & How To Do It Right
Food is the obvious place to start, but there’s a right way to go about it.
Dry kibble has the longest shelf life and is the easiest to store. Keep one extra bag in rotation — when you open a new bag, reorder.
Canned/wet food matters especially for cats. Cats are notoriously bad at drinking enough water, and wet food contributes meaningfully to their hydration. Stock extra.
Prescription diets are the ones most likely to go on backorder — and switching a pet with a health condition off their prescription food abruptly can cause real problems. Ask your vet about getting a 90-day supply whenever possible.
Freeze-dried or dehydrated food makes a smart backup option. Long shelf life, easy to store, and it works in a pinch.
The golden rule: stockpile means rotate, not hoard. Buy a little extra, use it, replace it. You’re building a buffer, not a bunker.
OTC Medications Worth Having On Hand
This is the section most pet prep lists get wrong. They’re either too cautious to be useful, or they recommend things that can genuinely hurt your pet. Here’s what’s actually reasonable to keep at home.
One caveat I’ll say once and mean it: dosing for pets is not the same as dosing for people. Before you use any of these, confirm the right dose for your specific animal with your vet or a telehealth vet. The products are safe. Guessing on amounts is not.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic reactions. Plain formula only — no decongestants, no “D” versions. Check the label every time.
Famotidine (Pepcid AC) for GI upset and acid reflux in dogs. Useful to have on hand for the pet who periodically gets a sad stomach.
Activated charcoal for toxin ingestion — but this one comes with a strong caveat: only use it when directed by a vet or animal poison control. It’s not appropriate for every toxin situation, and using it wrong can make things worse. Have it available; don’t use it on your own judgment.
Probiotics (for cats & dogs) for GI support, especially during stress, travel, or after antibiotics. Worth having on hand year-round.
Eye wash/saline for flushing debris or irritants from eyes. Cheap, useful, takes up almost no space.
Topicals And Supplies To Keep Stocked
This category doesn’t get enough attention. Topicals and basic supplies aren’t glamorous, but they’re the things you’ll reach for at 9pm on a Saturday when your vet’s office is closed.
✅Flea/tick and heartworm prevention is probably the single most important thing to stockpile. These products are often imported, they’re heavily in demand, and running out is a real problem — especially in Florida, where fleas don’t take a season off. Ask your vet about a 6-month or 12-month supply. This is not one to let lapse.
✅Ear flush/ear cleaning solution for routine ear maintenance. If your dog has a history of ear problems, this is non-negotiable.
✅Zymox enzymatic ear treatment. A vet favorite and a pet owner favorite for good reason. Great for mild ear flare-ups and worth keeping around. Check with your vet first before buying and using this product.
✅Medicated wipes (antibacterial/antifungal) for skin fold maintenance, paw cleaning, and surface-level skin irritation.
✅For dogs with skin allergies or recurring skin conditions, Douxo mousse is great for skin support and can help with a short-term skin flare-up if a vet visit isn’t possible.
✅Medicated or gentle pet shampoo — whatever your pet already tolerates well. Don’t experiment with new formulas during a shortage.
✅Wound care basics: saline, vet wrap, gauze pads, and styptic powder. These are the building blocks of being able to handle a minor injury at home before you can get to the vet.
(I have a full guide to building a DIY pet first aid kit on the blog — worth a read before you need it.)
✅A rectal thermometer — yes, that kind. Yes, you need one. Normal temperature in dogs and cats is roughly 101–102.5°F. Knowing whether your pet has a fever before you call the vet is actually useful information.
✅Joint supplements and fish oil if your pet is already on them. Don’t let these run out — consistency matters for arthritis management.
(See our guides to dog arthritis and cat arthritis for more on managing joint disease long-term.)
Don’t Forget Our Pocket Pets
If you have a rabbit, guinea pig, or other small mammal, you already know that most pet content ignores you. Not here. Small herbivores have unique needs, and a few of these items can genuinely be lifesaving.
- Oxbow Critical Care is the one you really don’t want to be without. When a rabbit or guinea pig stops eating — which can happen fast and escalate faster — Critical Care is what vets reach for to support gut motility and nutrition they need food during an illness. It can be hard to find locally and it matters. Keep at least one bag stocked at all times.
- Species-appropriate pellets are worth keeping a reasonable supply of. Same rotation principle as dog food — buy a little ahead, use it, replace it.
- A backup water bottle is one of those things you don’t think about until it’s 10pm and the one your guinea pig uses has sprung a leak. They’re cheap. Have a spare.
One thing you don’t need to stress-stockpile: hay. Hay is bulky, can mold if stored improperly, and is generally more available than other supplies. Buy what you need, keep a small buffer, and don’t try to store six months worth in your spare bedroom.
Worried about the upfront cost of stocking up? We’ve got you covered — check out 9 Simple Ways to Save Money on Rising Veterinary Bills for tips on rebates, buying in bulk, warehouse club pricing, and more.
What Not To Stockpile
This section matters just as much as the rest.
Human NSAIDs. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are toxic to pets — dogs and especially cats. Do not substitute these for veterinary pain medication, ever. Not even once.
Prescription medications without a plan. Instead of trying to hoard prescription meds, ask your vet about a 90-day supply where it’s legal and appropriate. That’s the right approach — not stockpiling leftover prescriptions from previous pets or filling scripts at random intervals.
Antihistamines with decongestants. Any Benadryl or similar product labeled “D” (as in Benadryl-D) contains pseudoephedrine, which is dangerous to pets. Plain diphenhydramine only.
Storage Tips
How you store things matters, especially if you live somewhere hot and humid — which, if you’re reading this, you very possibly do.
Cool, dry, and dark. That’s the storage mantra. A cabinet or closet, not the garage in July.
Check expiration dates when you rotate. Medications and supplements do expire, and effectiveness drops.
Humidity is the enemy of dry food and medications. Airtight containers for kibble; original sealed packaging for meds.
Consider building a dedicated pet emergency bin. It doubles as a go-bag if you ever need to evacuate quickly — which, again, if you’re in Florida, is not a hypothetical.
Final Thoughts
Start with whatever your pet goes through every month. Flea prevention, their food, any supplements they’re on. Add one category at a time over a few weeks. Before long you’ll have a reasonable buffer without having spent a fortune in one shot.
The goal isn’t to prepare for the apocalypse. It’s to not be caught completely flat-footed when your brand of cat food goes on backorder for three months — which, as we’ve established, is a very real possibility.
Your pets are counting on you to have a plan. Now you do.
Related Articles:
🚨 Pet Emergency Preparedness: Creating the Ultimate Pet Emergency Kit — the full guide to building your pet’s emergency kit, with free printable checklist and emergency contact form
🐾 Pet First Aid Kit Essentials (FREE printable!) — a focused look at the first aid supplies every pet owner should have on hand
🐶 10 Must-Have Prepper Items for Your Dog Bug Out Bag — because your stockpile and your go-bag should work together
🐱 SHTF Cat Bug Out Bag – What to Pack and Why — the cat version, with a free downloadable checklist
Dr. Georgina Ushi is a veterinarian and freelance medical writer. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. Dr. Ushi has worked for 16 years in the Tampa Bay area, providing compassionate care to dogs, cats, and exotic pets.
In addition to her clinical work, she serves as an adjunct instructor at Florida A&M University, teaching in the veterinary technology program. Dr. Ushi also consults for pet well-being brands and writes evidence-based pet health content for Pet Health Love, as well as for PetMD. She is passionate about educating and empowering pet owners through clear, trustworthy information.
Her professional interests include emergency medicine, dermatology, pet telehealth, nutrition, and wildlife medicine.
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