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:

First Aid for Dogs

CPR in Dogs

Xylitol Toxicity in Dogs

Canine Influenza

How to Be Prepared for Your Dog's Veterinary Bills

Pet Insurance = Peace of Mind

Rattlesnake Vaccine for Dogs

Emergency Care for Suspected Poisoning