Just as it’s not a good idea to leave the house without basic first aid supplies for your family, it’s also a good idea to have a few essentials for your dog. Whether it’s a splinter or a fractured bone, you’ll want to be prepared with the necessary materials (and taking a pet first aid class is always a good idea).
While many pre-made first aid kits for dogs are available for purchase, it is often advisable to design your own kit depending on your pet’s unique lifestyle and needs. Even better, many of the goods you should include in your pet’s first aid bag are also beneficial to people. Your pet’s first aid requirements will be heavily influenced by their breed, age, and lifestyle. So, when you’re out and about, don’t be afraid to consult your veterinarian about creating a first-aid pack to fit your pet’s medical needs.
For example, if your dog is diabetic, their pet first aid kit should have honey to treat a low blood sugar episode, but energetic and outdoor canines may require supplies such as splints in the event of an injury. Dogs who already take drugs should always have enough (at least for a few days), and you should rotate them out, so they don’t expire.
Prepare yourself
Buying or making a first aid kit for your dog is a terrific beginning step, but it won’t be much use if you don’t know how to utilize the supplies in an emergency.
That’s why taking a pet first aid class is usually a good idea—you should be able to find one through your veterinarian, community college, or the Red Cross.
You can also get some pet first aid or animal health books from your local library or bookstore. We all have smartphones, but just in case you run out of battery power or can’t get any signal, you will be glad you have another source you can rely on.
Always familiarize yourself with pet emergency clinics in your area (and any place you usually travel), as well as apps or websites you can use in an emergency.
Are you ready to begin? Here are ten essentials to start with when putting together a first-aid kit for your four-legged pal.
Tweezers
Tweezers are an absolute necessity, especially if you spend a lot of time outside. You can use them to remove splinters or other foreign materials from wounds, and they are also an effective initial line of defense against ticks.
A tick removal tool can also be useful, especially for families that spend a lot of time hiking or camping—or if you live near the woods.
Scissors
Scissors are useful tools in both human and canine first-aid kits. They can be used for everything from removing an object trapped in your dog’s fur or releasing them from something they may have become entangled in to cutting gauze or creating a splint.
Packs of ice or hot water
The ability to administer cold and/or heat therapy to your dog in the event of an injury is critical. If your dog appears to have sustained an acute injury or appears sore after hard exercise, you can begin with ice and then switch to heat. Simply place a cloth between the pack and your dog’s skin and check for redness or irritation on a regular basis.
Cold therapy can relieve your dog’s edema and inflammation while also alleviating pain (as it helps reduce the damage to muscles). It can also help to reduce muscle spasms and speed up healing.
If your dog suffers from certain ailments, such as arthritis, heat therapy might shorten the duration of recovery time due to the increased blood flow induced by the heat.
Contact Information
You should always keep a list of phone numbers on hand, and your first aid bag is a wonderful place to put them. Make a list that contains the phone numbers for your normal veterinarian, an emergency veterinarian, animal control, and animal poison control. It’s also a good idea to keep these phone numbers saved in your phone.
Splints
Puppies can benefit from moldable, foam-covered splint rolls. If you fear your dog has broken a bone or torn a ligament in his or her lower leg, a splint can assist in reducing movement and make your dog as comfortable as possible while you seek emergency care.
Powder for Clotting Blood
It’s all too tempting to panic if your dog is bleeding from an injury. The good news is that there is something that can help halt the flow of blood until the wound can be treated, whether it’s from an animal bite, a gash from playing a little too rough outside, or a ripped toenail.
Dog blood clotting powder can help keep bandages from becoming wet with blood (and, of course, protect the interior of your car on the way to the vet or animal hospital). However, if your dog has extensive blood vessel damage, it can also assist in avoiding serious and even life-threatening blood loss.
Peroxide of Hydrogen
Because it induces vomiting in certain instances, hydrogen peroxide can be a valuable item in your pup’s first aid kit (provided you have the OK from your veterinarian). Even better, it can be employed in a pet de-skunking recipe if your dog encounters one of the stinking critters while strolling in the woods (or playing in the backyard).
Just be cautious when using it to disinfect wounds—it will need to be diluted (your vet can help).
Gauze (or Vet Wrap)
A roll of clean gauze can be used as a bandage in both human and canine first aid kits, as well as a bleeding stopper and padding for splints. Because it clings to itself, Vet Wrap is an excellent choice for your four-legged pet.
Bandages that stick themselves
What did we do before these flexible self-sticking bandages were available? They appear to have numerous applications around the stable. In a first-aid situation, use them to secure a dressing or to maintain stable bandages.
There are numerous brand names available, including VetWrap, Co-Flex, and others. There will be little difference between those purchased from a tack store and those purchased at a pharmacy, so choose the ones you can afford.
Cotton, gamgee, and other types of padding
You’ll need padding under leg wraps or material cut up for wound care, such as Gamgee cloth.
- Disposable diapers or sanitary napkins
- Cotton gauze bandage roll
- Pieces of cotton must be kept clean; keep an extra set in a zip-top bag for your first-aid kit
In reality, zip-closure bags are really useful for organizing your pet’s first aid equipment.
Muzzle
Nobody likes the notion of having to muzzle their four-legged buddy, yet many dogs become anxious and even aggressive after an injury. Certain breeds may benefit from a breathable muzzle that can be adjusted to any size (not brachycephalic dogs).
It’s useful to have on hand in case your dog needs emergency medical attention and is uncooperative with the doctor.
Thermometer (Mercury or Digital)
A thermometer will rapidly tell you if your horse has an increased temperature, which is a sure symptom of a health issue that needs to be addressed. You may prefer digital over mercury because it does not require reading glasses or a watch to provide an accurate reading.
Some models remember the last temperature you took in case you fail to write it down. A string and clip function will assist in preventing the thermometer from getting ‘lost.’
Cream with Zinc Oxide
A large, affordable tub of zinc oxide lotion is useful for soothing and protecting sunburned noses, removing grease heels, and protecting and healing minor scratches and nicks.
Zinc oxide creams can be found in the baby care area of your local drugstore. Ihle’s Paste, an affordable one, can also be found near where baby diapers and rash treatments are marketed.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are excellent for removing the infection. Many individuals use salt water to clean cuts and scrapes on both four and two-legged family members. Both are inexpensive goods that may be purchased in a grocery shop, pharmacy, or bulk food store.
Wound Cleaner, Cream, or Ointment with Antiseptic Properties
An antiseptic wound cleanser, such as Betadine, can be used to clean skin infections, cuts, and punctures. By keeping the skin moist and clean, these injuries can be encouraged to heal.
There are numerous products available. You can select from completely natural goods or those that contain various medical and antibacterial substances.
Books
There are numerous excellent veterinary first aid books available on bookstore shelves. Purchase one and study it before an emergency occurs.
Another resource you’ll need is a tiny notebook to keep track of temps or to jot down things you want to tell the vet but may forget due to your anxiety.
Keep both books in your first-aid kit, with the phone number of your veterinarian inscribed on the covers. Of course, keep your veterinarian’s phone number handy as well.
Bone2Travel has some recommendations.
A first-aid kit does not have to be complex. Keep these emergency supplies in a sturdy box in case of an unforeseen injury or illness. You do not need to keep injectable or oral drugs on hand. Unless you have extensive experience reading symptoms, drugs may obscure vital clues that your veterinarian will need to detect a condition.
They should only be used by a veterinarian or under the supervision of a veterinarian. However, these simple materials in your pack should allow you to handle the most common ailments on your own and manage any accident until the veterinarian arrives.