Pet First Aid Supplies You’ll Want at Home
Pet first aid supplies are important any time your pet is far away from immediate help. For example, when your family is on a camping trip with Fido.
Recently, while pet sitting for a client in the Scottsdale area, I realized that two of the dogs had been fighting while I was away. One dog had a small cut on her eyelid, while the other dog had some minor scratches and bites to the face. Fortunately, it was nothing too serious, however, it reminded me of the importance of having a pet first aid kit in the home. Here is a thorough checklist for starting your own pet first aid kit. It could save your pet’s life.
Pet First Aid Supplies Checklist
- Important phone numbers and medical records including: your veterinarian, your local animal hospital, and Animal Poison Control Center: 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435) – there may be a fee for this call.
- Leash, board or blanket to use as a stretcher, and kennel to transport your pet.
- Eye dropper or syringe without needle for oral treatments and flushing wounds.
- Gauze which can be used for wrapping wounds or muzzling. Do not use a muzzle if your pet is vomiting.
- Bandages or clean cloth, and adhesive tape for bandages. Do not use adhesive bandages like Band-Aid on your pet.
- Milk of Magnesia.
- Scissors with a blunt end.
- Disposable gloves.
- Tweezers.
- Activated charcoal for poison absorption.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%) to induce vomiting – always talk to your vet or Animal Poison Control first before inducing vomiting
Places like Chewy.com offer many of the supplies you’ll need all in one place. You’ll want to be sure to check your pet first aid supplies every few months to ensure nothing has expired. If it was used, you may need to replace items, too. And, of course, keep these pet first aid supplies out of reach of children.