Having a first-aid kit assembled and ready for your dog is an important part of being a pet parent. Emergencies can strike at any time, and it’s always best to be prepared when they do. To help, we’ve assembled a list of essential items needed to make the best first-aid kit for your canine companion. Please keep in mind that dog’s need special doses and items meant just for them. Here’s what we would have in any dog’s first-aid kit!
Essential Items
Gauze. We recommend Band-Aid flexible brand gauze that can easily move with your dog’s body and stays in place. Perfect for cuts, abrasions, or injuries to a limb.
Medical Tape. Needed for taping down the gauze or other fabric so your dog can’t shake or pull it off.
Cotton Balls. These are perfect for either applying medicine or ointment or cleaning up wounds or cuts in a sanitary manner.
Hydrogen Peroxide. A good antiseptic to help clean wounds and prevent infection.
Antibiotic Spray/Ointment. We recommend Vetericyn brand antimicrobial hydro gel or spray to treat cuts, sores, rashes, dry skin, and even allergies in your dog. It’s fast-acting and non-toxic.
Digital Pet Thermometer. Pet thermometers are usually waterproof, easy to use, and affordable. They are important for giving you the fastest answer into whether your dog might be fighting an infection or illness with a high temperature.
Medicine Pillbox. A pillbox is a great item for any first-aid kit as it organizes and stores important canine medicines that might be needed when out of house.
Scissors. You never know in what ways scissors will come in handy! You may need to cut gauze or bandages, or cut something off your dog if they become entangled or ensnared.
Tweezers. Essential for any first-aid kit, tweezers can remove small, harmful objects from your dog’s fur, skin, or paws like glass, splinters, rocks, and ticks.
Magnifying Glass. Depending on the size of the wound or the object in/on your dog, you might need a magnifying glass to help you take a better look. We recommend getting an LED-illuminated glass for better vision or to see in the dark.
Flashlight. Speaking of seeing in the dark, a flashlight is an essential item for any first-aid, emergency, or travel kit.
Syringes. You might need syringes or eyedroppers to flush out wounds or administer oral medications to your dog.
Cold Packs or Cooling Pad. In case your dog ever becomes overheated when out and about, an ice pack or cooling gel pad could mean the world. Can also help with the swelling of injuries or to relieve pain.
Heat Pack or Thermal Blanket. Just like with a cooling pad, it’s a good idea to have a heat pad as well for keeping your dog warm in freezing weather. Emergency thermal blankets can trap in body heat and protect your pup from the elements.
Necessary Items. When going out with your dog, it’s always a good idea to pack any necessary items they might need like extra food, water, bowls, backup leash and collar, bug spray, medications, medical records, emergency phone numbers, and even a muzzle.
More Resources
For more helpful first-aid essentials for your dog, you can check out resources like the American Kennel Club and the ASPCA. If you want to be prepared for a natural disaster or emergency, check out our list of essential items needed to evacuate a pet. After all, pets are more than just animals; they’re members of our family! It’s always important to plan, think ahead, and be ready so that you and your dog can stay healthy and happy. We truly believe it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
