You probably have a first-aid kit in your home and another in your car for all of the humans in your household. Your pets may at some point need emergency care as well, at home and on the road, so having a pet-specific first aid kit you can carry with you is well-advised.
You can purchase pet first aid kits from most pet stores; this is a fantastic option if you’re pressed for time or need something immediately. But it’s just as easy to customize your own kit if you know what you need. It’s also a better way to address individual concerns if your dog has quirks, medical conditions, or specific issues you might need to address.
In this post, we’ll teach you how to put your own kit together and what to include. We’ve outlined standard first aid items and a few advanced tools. Our hope is that you never need to use your kit, but if you do, the items inside will ensure you’re prepared.
Starting with the Basics
Some of your most basic first-aid supplies are great for both people and pets, so you can use a human kit as a base if you want to build a kit that is family-friendly instead of two completely separate kits. The most critical first-aid supplies include:- Aspirin.
- Sterile saline.
- Gauze pads and tape.
- Single-use cold packs.
- Scissors and tweezers.
- A foil emergency blanket.
- Pedialyte for rehydration.
- Anti-diarrheal medications.
- Gloves (avoid latex if you can).
- Antiseptic wipes for cleaning wounds.
- Triple antibiotic ointments or sprays.
- Eye droppers to administer medications.
- Alcohol to sterilize tweezers and other tools.
- Dawn dish soap to clean your skin or your dog’s fur.
- Bulb syringes or large plastic syringes for would flushing.
- Milk of magnesia (to absorb poison if instructed by your vet).
- Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting if instructed by your vet).
- A rectal thermometer and lubricating jelly (petroleum works fine).
Confining Your Dog
If you do find yourself in a pet emergency situation, you’re going to want to first confine your dog so that he doesn’t become more upset or scared and end up injuring himself more. Some items you may need to do this include:- A leash (preferably short, rather than retractable).
- A muzzle to prevent dog bites.
- A small dog crate for use at home.
- A pet carrier for travelling and vet trips.
Dog-Specific Items
Every dog-specific pet first aid kit should include a few dog-specific items. Here’s a few of our favorite:- A canine first aid (specific to your breed, if possible).
- Copies of all of your pet’s important paperwork, especially rabies vaccination records.
- A recent photo of your pet in case he gets lost while traveling.
- Any medications your vet has prescribed your dog for daily use.
- Styptic powder to stop bleeding if your dog gets a cut or torn nail.
- Benadryl or prescribed allergy medicines for allergic reactions.
- Sugar tablets (often dextrose) to help diabetic dogs in emergencies.
- Dog treats are great for calming and distracting pets that are injured or scared.
- Self-clinging bandages that stick to themselves and not your pet’s fur.
- Ear-cleaning solutions.
- Canned pumpkin.