Dog First Aid Kit: What’s In Yours?
Do you have a first aid kit for your dog? Or do you think that you don’t need one?
No matter how carefully you try to keep your dog safe, injuries and unlucky incidents happen. The situation doesn’t need to be life-threatening for you to benefit from having a first-aid kit on hand.
I established a first-aid kit for my dogs for the same reason I take an umbrella when I don’t want to get wet, regardless of the weather forecast. Did you notice it often won’t rain just because you have one [an umbrella]? And if it does, you’re ready for it.
Information I recommend to include
Wherever you are, the first thing on your checklist should be the contact information and directions to a veterinary clinic and veterinary ER. This is particularly important when you travel but you would be surprised to know how many people don’t know where to turn in an after-hours emergency even where they live.
Imagine trying to find an emergency veterinary hospital when you’re already in the midst of an emergency. It would be extremely stressful and a waste of precious time.
When we travel, I always map out clinics along the way and at our destination.
Having an animal poison control phone number handy is also a good idea. I keep the contact for the Pet Poison Helpline 800-213-6680
If you do travel, don’t forget to take your dog’s medical records with you too. If your vet uses web-based medical records, even better. That way you can access the information any time, anywhere.
We also always make sure we have all Jasmine’s prescription medications and supplements to last us for the length of the trip (and like to have some extras just in case). Besides medications Jasmine is on I like to include some metronidazole (in case her IBD flared-up), Tramadol (for pain management), and couple prednisone tables. That is kind of funny because I fight putting her on that tooth and nail but it still makes me feel better to have some just in case. Note: I would never use any of these without discussing it with Jasmine’s vet first.
How equipped do you want your dog’s first-aid kit to be?
Naturally, what you can have in your dog first kit at home varies from what you can bring when you camping, hiking or hunting. It reminds me of George Carlin’s stand-up about stuff and how you need to keep downsizing as you leave home for a holiday, then your hotel for a party and so on.
On the other hand, when you’re camping, hiking, or anywhere away from home you need to realize that your first aid kit is often what you need to rely on. Things you could easily run out to get in town can be hard to come by in the field or a bush.
The bare basics
At the very least, your dog’s first-aid kit should contain the following:
- bandages or bandaging materials
- a non-stick sterile wound dressing
- blunt-tip scissors
- tweezers
- sterile saline
- rubbing alcohol
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- water (if traveling or hiking)
- betadine
- styptic powder
- rectal thermometer
- lubricating jelly
- corn syrup
- clean syringe (without needle)
- muzzle/restraints
Extended version
An extended first-aid kit should also include:
- activated charcoal
- antibiotic ointment
- Benadryl
- tick removal tool
- old credit card (this is for removal of stingers)
- protective gloves
- flashlight
- towel or rag
- cotton roll
- gauze roll
- gauze pads
- self-adhesive bandage e.g. vet wrap
- splint
- toenail trimmer
- blanket
- cold and hot packs
- supportive harness or stretcher if you have a large dog
Dog first aid kit for camping
For camping, I recommend you pack the extended version–it is best to cover all your bases. And absolutely don’t forget to pack your dog’s medications and medical information in your dog first aid kit for camping. As well that you best locate the nearest veterinary clinic and how they have it set up in case of after-hours emergencies.
Dog first aid kit for hiking or hunting
It is one thing to pack a large kit and load it in a car, it is another to carry it in your backpack. Give thorough consideration to where you’re going, what are the regional and seasonal risks, and how far from civilization you’re going. There are things you might be able to omit.
What is in our kit?
Our home first-aid kit grew over time to a huge amount of things. As well as since we moved to the middle of nowhere, we had to revisit its content. For example, normally one or two rolls of bandaging material would be plenty. But, as we learned, getting stretchy bandage or vet wrap around here is not easy. So we had to increase the amount of these things we keep on hand.
Things that we used the most
Tick removal tool
We got the TickTwister and never looked back. Of course, there are other products out there, just make sure you have something to remove ticks safely.
Thermometer
Ever since Jasmine’s drug-induced hyperthermia disaster I have been acutely aware of how important this vital sign is.
Personally, I have both an ear thermometer and a rectal thermometer. I realize that the ear one isn’t the most accurate thing but we found that the average of multiple measuring corresponds with what the rectal one reads. So I use the ear thermometer to get a rough picture and the rectal thermometer when the situation warrants the accuracy.
Lubricating jelly
Cannot use the rectal thermometer without good, water-based lubricating jelly. You want to take your dog’s temperature, not injure them.
Betadine
Betadine solution has been my go-to for minor foot infections. Jasmine had them frequently enough. It comes in handy for disinfecting other types of minor wounds. It is safe and it doesn’t sting.
Antibiotic ointment
While I list it as an ointment, which would normally mean products such as Polysporyn which we did use in the past, I now stock raw Manuka honey. It is amazing how well it deals with infections.
Sterile saline
Some of the content of our first-aid kit laid dormant until we got Cookie. Sterile saline comes in handy when she manages to get something in her eye, such as a blade of grass. That took a lot of salite to wash out but I didn’t want to try going at it mechanically. Eventually, it worked and we flooded it out.
3% hydrogen peroxide
This is another item I kept periodically replacing unopened until Cookie came into our lives. In her defense, I only had to use it to make her throw up once when she managed to eat something that could possibly have been a pot brownie.
Rubbing alcohol
No, I have never used rubbing alcohol on wounds–I keep it on hand in case my dog suffered hyperthermia.
Syringe
We used a large syringe when Jasmine had to be force-fed. It is also the best delivery tool if you need to give your dog peroxide to induce vomiting.
Bandages and bandaging materials
We never needed any of these things until we adopted Cookie either. My favorites are stretchy bandages and vet wrap. It is also important to have non-stick sterile wound dressing to prevent your bandage from sticking to the wound. I stock other bandaging supplies but didn’t need to use those yet.
Scissors
Blunt-tip scissors are needed to cut the bandage when you are applying it. If you use vet wrap, though, you can set it so it is easy to remove without cutting. I don’t like scissors close to my dog’s body even if the tips are blunt.
Benadryl
Yes, all our dogs got stung often enough that I have to use Benadryl at least once a year.
Muzzle
Even the most mild-tempered dog can bite when in enough pain. So far we only used it for PROM exercises during the first weeks of Jasmine’s post-ops.
An improvised muzzle can be made from a scarf or a stocking.
Supporting harness
Having Rottweilers, this is a godsent item. It is really helpful when your large dog cannot walk just like JD couldn’t before he passed on.
My dog first-aid kid has a lot more item than these but I wanted to highlight those we used most frequently. I keep a bunch of things that I, fortunately, never had to use.
What does a veterinarian-designed first aid kit contain?
The kits I’m using as an example come at two sizes–for large dogs, and for small dogs and cats. The compact bag easily fits almost anywhere and it is loaded with everything you might need to help your pet in an emergency situation. It comes complete with a useful booklet that tells you exactly how to best deal with any medical emergency you might face with your pet.
An example first aid kit put together by a veterinarian contains:
- pet first aid manual
- bandage scissors
- forceps
- iodine (50 ml)
- sterile saline flush (20 ml)
- 10 ml syringe
- digital thermometer
- single-use lubricant
- cotton balls
- gauze swabs
- melolin non-adhesive dressing
- orthopedic padding (cotton wool bandage)
- elastic cohesive bandage 5 cm
- elastic adhesive bandage 5 cm
- antibiotic ointment
- disposable gloves
- gauze length for muzzle
- lectade (oral rehydration solution)
- thermal blanket
- tick remover (2 sizes)
- extra leash
What’s in Your Dog’s First Aid Kit?
Related articles:
Dog Symptoms: When Is It an Emergency?
Further reading:
How to Make a First-Aid Kit for Dogs
Great article. I totally support having a First Aid Kit for our pets. I had previously written about it in my blog as well. I not only was trained in Pet First Aid/CPR, but I also had a first aid kit for my five Huskies. I also included my epileptic dog’s items in it – i.e. rescue meds, pheromone spray, instant ice packs, seizure journal, protein snacks, clean up aids, etc. A First Aid Kit is a must for any pet family!
Absolutely, there are basic first-aid kit elements, and then those that are customized to an individual dog(s).
And, if one needs something for themselves LOL All we have for our own first aid is a box of Band-Aids.
This is great, very comprehensive list of items to include in a pet first aid kit. The items I rely on most are always hydrogen peroxide, triple antibiotic ointment, and self adhesive bandages. I’ve used my kit so many times when traveling w/ our dogs. I never go away w/ my dogs without it! I learned that lesson on one of our first road trips when my Husky Icy stepped on broken glass in the hotel dog potty area and sliced her paw open – I couldn’t believe how much a paw pad bleeds!!
First-aid kit is even more essential when traveling. That’s for sure. I do believe how much paw pad bleeds–Cookie did the same thing, stepped on a piece of glass.
Instead of antibiotic ointment, though, I keep Manuka Honey.
Great list of what to include in your pet first aid. This is so important. When you need it that’s too late to thinking about putting one together. This will be so insightful for so many pet parents.
Thank you, Terri. Yes, it is especially essential if you’re traveling or living in the middle of nowhere. You would not believe how hard it is to quickly get something as simple as “adhesive” bandage; vet wrap alternative in the bush on the weekend.
Fantastic article and the information is so important for everyone who shares their life with a pet. Whether you buy a ready made first aid kit and add to it or make your own doesn’t matter, just make sure you have supplies at hand in the event of an accident or emergency.
Exactly. Though I admit that our dog first aid kit bloated out of proportions over time 🙂 On the other hand, when we needed something for ourselves, we knew where to look for it.
I don’t have a first aid kit for my cat, but you made me realize that it’s important to have one. We never know what might happen.
If you don’t have one, look into getting at least a basic package. You NEVER know where you might need it.
First aid kits are the best idea.
For humans you can just grab the antiseptic but cats and dogs need something much more focused. I need to get an updated insert for our kits. So this is a timely reminder.
To be honest – I’ve never put together a first-aid kit for my cats. It’s something I definitely need to do.
Wow, what an extensive first aide kit! I usually just have a few bandages for people, which could also be used for dogs. But you point out some very good points, like the need for vetwrap. Two of my dogs had very serious accidents while we were either hiking or skiing and both times we didn’t know where a vet was and were lucky that people could tell us. Accidents can happen anywhere, but are more likely in a strange environment.
I have a complete first aid kit for Layla but I also added Collodial Silver, Hemp Oil and Hemp Oil Balm for insect bites as she is allergic to Benadryl.
The creature clinic kit looks great. I have a decent cat first aid kit at home but I never thought about the fact that I should have one for my kits when we travel.
Great tips! I have multiple first aid kits – one in the car that we use while traveling/camping/hiking, and another that I keep in the house. I combined my dogs’ first aid kit with the one for us humans, since there are actually quite a few items that could come in handy for either pets or people.