If you share your house with a pet, having a first aid kit can come in handy. One way to start your kit is to buy a first-aid kit designed for people and add pet-specific items to it. You can also purchase a pet first-aid kit from a pet-supply store or
catalog. Below is a list of items that should be in your kit for those of you who want to make your own. If you perform any first aid on your pet please make sure you contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to see if any further treatment is recommended.
Pet-specific supplies
- Pet first-aid book
- Contacts: Keep a list in a place that can be easily referred to of important contacts along with their pertinent information. Such as your veterinarians name, number, address, and clinic hours. Some other important numbers to consider are the closest emergency clinic, transportation if necessary, and a poison-control center or hotline, such as the ASPCA poison control center. If you are traveling with your pet, find out where the closest clinic is and know how to get there.
- Paperwork for your pet: proof of
rabies-vaccination status, copies of other important medical records,
and a current photo of your pet (in case he gets lost)
- Nylon leash
- Self-cling bandage: (bandage that stretches and sticks to itself but
not to fur—available at pet stores and from pet-supply catalogs)
- Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting: Use with caution. If there is anything causing or could end up causing any breathing obstruction or difficulty, do NOT muzzle.
Basic first-aid supplies
- Absorbent gauze pads
- Adhesive tape
- Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder, or spray
- Blanket or a foil emergency blanket
- Cotton balls or swabs
- Gauze rolls
- Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting—do this only when directed by a veterinarian or a poison-control expert)
- Ice pack
- Non-latex disposable gloves
- Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)
- Rectal thermometer (your pet's temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
- Scissors (with blunt ends)
- Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
- Sterile saline solution
- Tweezers
- A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment
- A pet carrier
Other useful items
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), if approved by a veterinarian for
allergic reactions. A veterinarian must tell you the correct dosage for
your pet's size.
- Ear-cleaning solution
- Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic pets or those with low blood sugar)
- Nail clippers
- Non-prescription antibiotic ointment
- Flashlight
- Plastic eyedropper or syringe
- Rubbing alcohol to clean the thermometer
- Splints and tongue depressors
- Styptic powder or pencil (sold at veterinary hospitals, pet-supply stores, and your local pharmacy)
- Temporary identification tag (to put your local contact information on your pet's collar when you travel)
- Towels
- Needle-nosed pliers
In addition to the items listed above, include anything your veterinarian has recommended specifically for your pet.
*Check the supplies in your pet's first-aid kit occasionally and replace any items that have expired.
