Accidents and emergencies are often unexpected and can be stressful. Having a first aid kit ready for your pet and being prepared “just in case” can help to alleviate some of the stress, especially if veterinary care is not immediately available.
A first aid kit may vary slightly depending on the size and individual needs of the pet, but the basics are the same. You can purchase a pre-made kit or make one from scratch yourself! Your pharmacy and veterinary clinic will have the supplies you need.
The following are some of the basic items to have in your kit:
| ❏ Bandage material❏ Non-adhesive wound dressing
❏ Gauze pads/squares ❏ Gauze roll ❏ Medical tape ❏ Stretchy bandage wrap ❏ Cotton balls/swabs ❏ Scissors with blunt end (bandage scissors) ❏ Antibacterial ointment ❏ Antibacterial soap ❏ Disposable gloves ❏ Sterile saline flush |
❏ Rubbing alcohol❏ 3% hydrogen peroxide
❏ Tongue depressors ❏ Clean syringes or turkey baster ❏ Thermometer ❏ Small flashlight/penlight ❏ Tweezers ❏ Tick twister ❏ Blanket ❏ Muzzle that fits your pet ❏ Spare leash, collar ❏ Collapsible water bowl, bottle of water |
It is also important to have your pet’s medical information readily available and is a good thing to have included in your kit!
| ❏ Pet’s name, age, neutered/spayed, etc.❏ Owner contact information
❏ List of medical conditions and medications ❏ Family veterinarian ❏ Emergency veterinary clinic ❏ Pet Insurance information ❏ Poison Control & Animal Control numbers |