Questions
- What is a Pet First Aid Kit?
- What to Include in a Dog First Aid Kit
- What to Include in a Cat First Aid Kit
- When to Seek Emergency Care
As a pet parent, there’s nothing more frightening than seeing your pet in pain or injured, and owners want nothing more than their beloved companion to be back to full health. Having a pet first aid kit can help your pet in any emergency no matter how big or small. It could also mean the difference between life and death for your pet before you can get them to a veterinary clinic. Discover exactly what you need for a pet first aid kit and what situations you may need to use it in.
What is a Pet First Aid Kit?
A pet first aid kit is useful in many emergency situations. Whether your pet has suffered a cut, is bleeding or has some other injury, providing safe and immediate first aid can really help them. After all, we use first aid kits for humans all the time, why would it be any different for our dogs or cats? They need first aid just like we do, and we can provide this for them if we have a pet first aid kit handy at home.
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Being Prepared for Emergencies
Emergencies can occur when we least expect them and it’s best to be prepared in advance. Make sure that your pet is registered with a veterinary clinic and that you have their contact details (including their out-of-hours service) on your phone.
If an accident occurs and your pet is injured, the first thing to do is remain calm. When we become stressed and panicked, so do our pets and this is the last thing that they need when they’re injured. Pets that are stressed or in pain may be more likely to bite so take care when handling them.
Follow the acronym ‘Dr ABCs’ below from the veterinary organisation PDSA;
Danger – keep yourself and others around you safe.
Response – check if your pet responds to their name or touch.
Airway – is their airway clear?
Breathing – are they breathing?
Circulation – do they have a pulse or heartbeat?
Send – someone to ask for help!
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What to Include in a Dog First Aid Kit
Dog first aid kits need to have equipment to clean wounds, apply dressings, remove ticks (if you’re comfortable removing a tick), keep dogs warm in cases of shock, and create a stretcher if your dog is unable to walk.
Things to include in a dog first aid kit include:
Wound wash or sterile saline wash
Antiseptic wipes
Tweezers (to remove large pieces of debris from wounds)
Wound dressing and bandages (small and large sizes)
Blunt-ended bandage scissors
Tape
Gloves
Foil blanket (and warm blankets stored along with the first aid kit if possible)
A blanket to use as a dog stretcher if your dog is too big to be carried
A muzzle like the Rosewood Soft Basket Muzzle, available in different sizes (only use if your pet is trying to bite and ensure that they can breathe with the muzzle on)
To make it even easier in providing aid if your pup is injured, the Rosewood Pet First Aid Kit is a great readily made purchase. Containing 24 medical items that are housed in a handy box, it’s perfect when you’re travelling with your pooch or to easily store away at home.
What to Include in a Cat First Aid Kit
The contents of a cat first aid kit will be very similar to a dog first aid kit. Wound dressings and bandages are also needed but usually, only small sizes are needed for cats.
Cats will often be panicked when they’re injured so, when possible, they should be placed in a large, secure cat carrier. Do not put them in boxes without air holes or DIY cat carriers. The carrier has to be secure, so the cat doesn’t escape.
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When to Seek Emergency Care
It’s important to not cause any further harm when your pet is injured. Pet first aid kits can be used to clean wounds, apply dressings, and create a stretcher for your pet etc, but they aren’t intended as a substitute for veterinary care if your pet is injured.
Minor cuts, scratches and uncomplicated tick bites can be treated at home but if your pet has been hit by a car or suffered a fall etc, they will need urgent veterinary care. Less minor injuries such as bites, minor burns etc. still need veterinary care as they have a high risk of infection.
Don’t attempt to give your pet any human medicine or previous veterinary medication that you may have gotten. Every situation is different, and you may cause further harm by doing this. Only give medication if your veterinarian has directed you to do so.
Pet first aid kits are an essential bit of equipment to have at home if you have a furry companion. They are useful to treat minor cuts, wounds, and tick bites. For anything more serious, you’ll need to contact your vet urgently. For more cat related and dog related products, shop online and in-store.