Dog First Aid Kit:
Are You Prepared
for an Emergency?

You have a "people" first aid kit, right? But what about a dog first aid kit? Whether it’s an accident, dog illnesses or a natural disaster, emergencies happen, and that is not the time you want to start scrambling around looking for the dog first aid items your pooch needs.

You can put together your own dog first aid kit using a sturdy waterproof container or buy one prepackaged. Keep the kit in your home or car.

Make sure that the kit contains any special medications that your dog might need, and be sure to check the kit periodically so that you can replace expired medications.

Components of a Well-Stocked Dog First Aid Kit:

• Absorbent compresses/gauze sponges, assorted sizes
• Adhesive tape, hypoallergenic
• Clean cloths
• Cold pack: to reduce swelling or pain
• Contact information for your veterinarian
• Contact information of the nearest emergency veterinary clinic
• Contact information for the ASPCA Poison Control Center
• Cotton swabs
• Digital rectal thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass): to find out if your pet is running a fever
• E-collar: available in a variety of sizes, this opaque or clear plastic, cone-shaped protector attaches to your pet's collar and can be found at veterinary clinics and pet stores. Prevents your pet from accessing a wound or injury
• Emergency blanket: to wrap around injured pet, carry an injured pet and provide warmth
• Eyedropper: to dispense liquid medication or clean superficial wounds
• Gauze pads, sterile: for cleaning wounds
• Gloves (disposable, non-latex): to help protect you and keep the wound sanitary
• Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic dogs or dogs with low blood sugar)
• Hand cleansing wipes
• Hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent: to clean a wound
• Isopropyl rubbing alcohol wipes: to sterilize items such as scissors or tweezers
• Nail clippers (sized for your dog’s nails)
• Oral syringe (baby dose size)
• Rags or rubber tubing: to use as a tourniquet
• Roll adhesive tape (hypoallergenic)
• Roll cohesive bandage, 3 inch width (stretches and clings to itself)
• Roll cotton gauze rolls, 2 inch width: to wrap around wounds
• Scissors: for cutting hair and bandages (blunt end)
• Soft muzzle: to prevent your pet from biting you or chewing on an injury while in pain
• Slip-style leash
• Special medications needed by your pet
• Sterile eye lubricant
• Sterile gauze pads (non-adherent, assorted sizes)
• Sterile saline eye wash
• Sterile, water-based lubricating jelly
• Sting relief wipes
• Styptic powder (to stop bleeding)
• Towel
• Triple antibiotic ointment
• Tweezers: for removing objects such as splinters or ticks from skin or paws

If you prefer to buy a prepackaged dog first aid kit, check out the Active Dog First Aid Kit Heavy Duty Blue Travel Bag, which can help you handle everything from dog paw injuries from a shard of broken glass at the dog park to a natural disaster such as a hurricane.

And for those times when your pooch gets a minor boo boo and you don't need to pull out the big dog first aid kit, try the . This set features specially formulated organic "treatment gels" -- such as the Boo Boo Treatment Gel and Ear Wash Treatment Gel -- developed for safe, effective dog first aid and preventive health care.

Additional Resources

Canine first aid kits tested and evaluated by the writers of Your Dog magazine:

• Pro Model 3030 Canine First Aid Kit by Outdoor Safety (rated "best value")
• The Dog-Gone-It Emergency Dog Kit by First-Aid-Product.com
• The Emergency Kit for Dogs by Bow Wow Castle

Sources:
American Red Cross Dog First Aid Safety Series Vol. 2
VPI Pet Insurance
ASPCA

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Legal Disclaimer
If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, contact your veterinarian immediately. This information is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care.

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