First Aid Kit for Dogs
Accidents happen. Medical emergencies happen.
Having a well-stocked canine first-aid kit can be your first line of defense in an emergency. Keeping one at home and a duplicate in your car will ensure that you’re always ready. Start with a pre-packaged pet first-aid kit and add to it, or start from scratch to make your own.
Following are the first aid essentials for dogs.
Basic Dog First Aid Tools
- Dog nail clippers
- Styptic powder such as Kwik Stop® to stop minor bleeding
- Scissors
- Tweezers or forceps
- Disposable gloves
- A 6cc dosing syringe for administering medication or flushing wounds
- A digital fever thermometer
- A lubricant such as Vaseline® or K-Y®
- A small bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Antiseptic hand wipes
- An instant cold pack
Wound Care Items for Dogs
- Sterile gauze pads for wound cleansing
- Cotton balls
- Cotton swabs such as Q-tips®
- Sterile, non-adherent gauze pads (such as Telfa® pads) for dressing wounds
- Roll gauze to keep padding in place
- Self-adhesive wrap such as Vetrap®
- One-inch bandage tape for securing bandages
- An antibacterial ointment such as Neosporin®
- A small bottle of antiseptic wash such as Betadine®
- Sterile eye wash
Restraint Items for Dogs
- A leash, preferably a simple slip leash
- A muzzle
- A towel to wrap small dogs to restrain them
Optional First Aid Items
- Pet clippers for removing matted hair or examining wounds
- An Elizabethan Collar that fits your dog
- Benadryl® liquid or tablets for treating allergic reactions. Consult your veterinarian for the proper dose.
- A tick removal tool
Items For Reference
- Phone numbers for your veterinarian, the nearest 24-hour emergency clinic and the ASPCA Poison Control Center
- A good pet first aid book
You May Also Like These Articles:
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Emergency Care for Suspected Poisoning
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