If you share your home with a pet, it’s a good idea to keep a pet first aid kit on hand. Of course you’re not going to have an extensive first aid kit, unless you are a qualified vet. If this is the case, foam casing for a large carry case would something worth investing in, as this means you won’t have to worry about whether your items are protected while you are travelling, especially in harsh conditions.
You can purchase one from a pet store, but most of the time there is a very limited amount of supplies in these and some kits will end up costing more than making it yourself. Administering first aid to a pet can be a stressful situation, especially if you don’t have the right supplies.
If you travel with your pet, it’s a good idea to have one in your vehicle along with a human first aid kit – You never know when you will need to use it!
Things that should be in the first aid kit are;
- A card with your pet’s information; birth date, weight, allergies etc., veterinary information and phone number, poison control phone number, emergency vet information and any other information you may think is necessary. – This should be placed in a watertight bag.
- Any medication your pet regularly uses.
- Gauze rolls and pads of different sizes
- Cotton balls or swabs
- Elastic bandage
- Exam gloves
- Splint and tongue depressors
- Tweezers
- Blunt end Scissors
- Cold/Hot pack
- Saline solution
- Antiseptic wipes
- cornstarch (to stop bleeding)
- Medical tape
- Animal nail clippers
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Flashlight
- Towel
- Water bottle
- Rectal thermometer
- Petroleumjelly – to lubricate the thermometer
- Plastic eyedropper or syringe -To give oral treatments or flush wounds
- E-collar
- Muzzle
- Leash
- Treats
- One day (or more) supply of pet food
- Collapsible travel food and water bowls
- Poop bags
- Benadryl tabs – Some dogs/cats have no reaction to bee stings, while others swell up. Keeping this on hand can possibly give your pet extra time to make it to the vet. Be sure to call your vet before administering Benadryl to an animal.
All items should be placed neatly in a zippered bag or plastic tote with lid. Be sure to clearly mark on the bag or tote “PET FIRST AID KIT”.
Most of the items mentioned above can be found in pet stores or drug stores -you can also ask your vet. Some vets will charge a nominal fee for these items. Not sure where to begin? One of my friends has recommended TheGoodyPet website to me. Their site is filled with reviews of some of the best pet accessories to help you decide which products to include when building your very own pet first aid kit.
What would you add to your pet first aid kit?
Such a good idea. I will be doing this for my little dog
This is great to have, we all forget about our pets and have first aid kits for ourselves, but little things do happen to our fur babies as well, I will have to make a kit up for my fur babies now after reading this!!
This is a great idea that I have thought of doing since I used to backpack with my dog a lot and I always had some supplies for her but never a dedicated kit
You just never know when you’re going to need one. Better to be prepared!
We have a small dog and we do have a first aid kit for dogs
What a great idea! Why did I not think of this.. lol probably because my dachshund “Buffy” is (usually) a quiet, gentle soul, while my first dog (Lhasa Apso) “Pepper” (rip) was always getting into “weird” situations, and with Pepper’s long hair, it was everything. Still I have copy/pasted toy first aid kit and will be making one for Buffy. Thank You!
I am a new pet owner so thank you for the tips!