Rations and pets

[rationtin440]

As I was not sure what topic this would go under I posted it here. Does anyone know if there are any MRE or other ration components that are especially unsafe to feed a pet (besides obvious dark chocolate, onion, mushroom) in case of a disaster situation where rations might be all you have to give your pet? Most of us might not consider this, but things can happen very quickly and if cat chow or dog food is hard to get, rations might be all we have. Thanks for any suggestions.

[dirtbag]

I've always considered a pet AS emergency rations...

[luis0449]

I've always considered a pet AS emergency rations...

hahahaha, you bet!!!

[TurtleNomad]

Pause to glare fiercely, with my piercing turtle eyes, at dirtbag.

Does anyone know if there are any MRE or other ration components that are especially unsafe to feed a pet (besides obvious dark chocolate, onion, mushroom) in case of a disaster situation where rations might be all you have to give your pet?

There are rations with dark chocolate?!? I want!

More seriously, let's turn it around and ask which would be most suited to pets.

Mayday makes a pet ration with a five year shelf life:
http://www.redflarekits.com/PETS/M173
http://www.redflarekits.com/PETS/M172
disclaimer: not an endorsement of RedFlareKits, as I've never bought from them, however I did notice these a year or so ago, and vividly remembered where I saw them.

That makes me wonder if all Lifeboat rations would be good/safe for pets.

They have pretty simple ingredients, very efficient space to calories, and are the cheapest of the three main "specialty" rations. Plus, the least palatable, so probably the last anyone would eat in a prolonged emergency situation. Though I personally like Datrex, and usually carry a couple of the individually wrapped sub-bars in my work and travel bags.

If anyone has both a pet and rotation-ready lifeboat rations, perhaps you could do a pet taste test?

Most of us might not consider this, but things can happen very quickly and if cat chow or dog food is hard to get, rations might be all we have.

Yes, exactly.
Real preppers prep for their entire family.

[dirtbag]

Pause to glare fiercely, with my piercing turtle eyes, at dirtbag.

Real preppers prep for their entire family.

Obviously, you've never been hungry.
Really Hungry.
Like no food for days.
In those situations, the dog will be eying you!.

perhaps you could do a pet taste test?

Since you asked, It was sweet, and a lot like Pork...

In many parts of the world, dog is a delicacy...
I have eaten what was purported to be monkey, but in reality it was dog.
And my wife has been giving me the Stink-Eye for 41 years now, I think I can handle yours!

[ak70g2]

I've always considered a pet AS emergency rations...

Damn, dirtbag, that was GOOD!

[Ruleryak]

Personally I store about 100 pounds of catfood (a year's supply for my cat) with my other preps in my bug out room. If you're in the situation where you're trapped or unable to find other food and want to ensure your pet lives through whatever's going on too I suggest storing some extra food, but in a pinch I'm sure you could share your rations with your pet without hurting it.

An animal's body will react more quickly to things like a regular supply of trans-fat (common in almost all MREs) than a human would so worst case scenario you may give your cat or dog a heart issue if they aren't incredibly active and you're feeding them MREs for months on end. Other than the normal things to keep away from pets like chocolate, gum and cheese (at least with some dogs) the rest is probably fine for them to consume.

[Bypah]

Personally I store about 100 pounds of catfood (a year's supply for my cat) with my other preps in my bug out room.

Hey, that can also be your backup food when your rations are all gone.
Dog food can also be a good one too.
Remember Mad Max??
Peace!

[Stef]

100 pounds of cat chow and 2 tons of cat litter...

[rationtin440]

Thanks for the tips and advice everyone! I really think that animals can adapt better than people in many ways when it comes to emergencies, which definately helps (our cat and dog went 3 whole days with no cable or internet after that snowstorm in October and they did not complain once! ) Another good thing is that dogs and cats can eat pretty much anything with no ill effects. And yes, I realize now that dark chocolate was wishful thinking on my part, Turtle I think I was confused because I thought that one of the Bundeswehr rations had dark chocolate in it.