First Aid Kit for your Pet

Different situations require different types of first aid kits to have on hand. What you pack in a first aid kit for a hike would be different from a home first-aid kit, which might be different again from an emergency or evacuation 'Go' bag kit for your vehicle. I highly recommend keeping a 'Go' bag in your vehicle which will help you treat pets that you come upon in emergency situations.

There may also be individual health issues for your pet that you need to cater for in your kit, such as known allergies. There may also be local health risks, such as snake bites or ticks, to factor into your plans.

Pet Documents & Records:

• Current Pet Information Summary with current photo of your pet
• ID tags, Microchip number
• Information about your pet's feeding schedule, temperament/behaviour and any medical concerns
• List of boarding facilities, hotels that can accommodate pets
• Medical records, Veterinarian's name and contact number
• (888) 426-4435 is the number for ASPCA Animal Poison Control Centre
• Pet first aid booklet. A free AVMA printable booklet is here.

First Aid Kit Contents:

• Pet Identification, as above
• Inventory sheet of First Aid Supplies
• Activated charcoal to absorb poison (USE ONLY on vet's or poison control's instruction)
• Adhesive bandages
• Adhesive patch bandage 2" x 3" (5.08 cm x 7.62 cm)
• Antibiotic eye ointment
• Antibiotic ointment for wounds
• Antiseptic cleaning wipes
• Bandage Tape
• Betadine or Nolvasan scrub and solution
• Bitter wound guard
• Collapsible drinking bowl
• Cotton Bandage Rolls
• Cotton tipped swabs
• Elastic bandage rolls
• Ear wash
• Exam gloves, large, nitrile
• Eye dropper (or large needleless syringes) to give oral medications or flush wounds
• Eye Rinse (sterile)
• Flashlight, small, for examining eyes, wounds, etc.
• Gauze roll for wrapping wounds or muzzling an injured animal
• Hydrogen Peroxide, 3%, to induce vomiting (USE ONLY on vet's or poison control's instruction)
• Isopropyl alcohol prep pads
• Instant hot & cold compresses, single use squeeze-to-use type
• Large and small gauze
• Medications (minimum 2-week supply, be sure to replace at expiry)
• Muzzle to prevent bites (DO NOT muzzle a pet if they are vomiting.)
• Mouth-to-outh CPR protector
• Nail clippers
• Non-adherent bandages or strips of clean cloth to control bleeding or wound protection
• Non-adherent sterile pads 2" x 3" (5.08 cm x 7.62 cm)
• Pet brush
• Flea comb
• Regular bandage tape roll, 2" wide (5.08 cm)
• Saline Solution for cleansing wounds or flushing eyes (saline solution used for contact lenses works well)
• Scissors, all-purpose
• Scissors, for bandages
• Self-adhering, nonstick tape for bandages
• Spare leash and collar
• Sterile gauze pads 3" x 3" (7.5 cm x 7.5 cm)
• Sterile lubricant to protect wounds/eyes
• Sting relief medicated wipes
• Styptic powder
• Digital Thermometer (be sure to check that it can read high temperatures, e.g. 105F and higher)
• Tincture of green soap
• Tongue depressors
• Tourniquet
• Towels and washcloths, clean, used for restraining small pets, cleaning, or padding
• Triangular bandage, large
• Tweezers, large with sharp point
• Tweezers, pen-like rounded
• Vet Wrap or PBT bandage

Items to add to your 'Go' Bag:

• Blankets
• Extra collars and leashes
• Extra towels
• Pet Waste bags
• A few sizes of Elizabethan collars
• Donut collar
• Pet mobility support sling

Your veterinarian may recommend additional items for your kit based on your pet’s medical condition.