Building a Pet First Aid Kit
Accidents happen — cut paws, splinters, stings, and scrapes. A basic first aid kit means you are not hunting through cupboards when your pet is hurt.
First aid is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it can help until you get there.
What to include
- Your vet’s and the out-of-hours clinic’s phone numbers
- Non-stick wound pads and self-adhesive bandage
- Blunt-ended scissors and tweezers
- A tick remover
- Saline solution for rinsing wounds or eyes
- Disposable gloves
- A foil blanket and a towel
- A muzzle or soft fabric that can be used as one
Things to leave out
Do not include human painkillers — many, including paracetamol and ibuprofen, are dangerous for pets. Only give medicines your vet has prescribed for your pet.
Using a muzzle
Even gentle pets may bite when in pain. A muzzle protects you while you help them. Practise putting one on during calm times so it is not unfamiliar in an emergency. Do not muzzle a pet that is vomiting or struggling to breathe.
Take a course
Pet first aid courses teach how to handle bleeding, choking, burns, and how to perform CPR on dogs and cats. Ask your vet or local animal charity about courses near you.
This is general pet-care information, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different — if you are worried about your pet's health or behaviour, contact your veterinarian. In an emergency or a suspected poisoning, call your vet or an animal poison-control line immediately.