Pet Safety: Be Prepared With a Pet First Aid Kit

Dogs and cats are more than pets…they’re family. They look to us to be cared for and protected. Just like people, accidents and emergencies can happen to animals, so being prepared could make a lifesaving difference.

Emergencies can occur suddenly and without warning. Knowing what to do in the initial moments can be critical to your pet's life. By having a pet first aid kit, pet owners can be equipped when the unthinkable happens.  Every pet parent should have a first aid kit for their pet in his or her home.  Pet parents should also carry a pet first aid kit in their car in case of an accident or incident during pet travel.   Pet first aid kits are available for purchase or a human first aid kit can be used and then supplemented with pet specific supplies.

Designed for animal care, a standard pet first aid kit contains:

• Pet First Aid Book
• Nylon leash
• A muslin sling bandage
• Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting (as long as pet is not vomiting, choking, coughing, or otherwise having difficulty breathing)
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Bandages
• Scissors
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Tongue depressor
• Tweezers
• Antibiotic ointment
• Alcohol prep pads
• Latex gloves
• Rectal thermometer
• Eye wash solution
• Instant cold pack
• Rescue blanket
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) if approved by a veterinarian for allergic reactions. Vet must specify correct dosage for your pet’s size.
• List of emergency phone numbers including those for your pet’s veterinarian, an after hour’s emergency veterinary hospital, and the National Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435).

Once you have a pet first aid kit, it's a good idea to include for each pet:

• Copies of their Vaccine Records
• Copies of their Medical Records
• Current Photos of your pet

Our pets enrich our lives in more ways than we can count. In turn, they depend on us for their well-being. Make pet safety a priority.