Pet First Aid Kit and Top 10 Pet Emergencies

As a pet owner, have you ever thought about what you would do in any kind of pet emergency? Many things can happen, from your pet getting a cut, attacked by another animal, bitten by a snake, or worse. Can you provide pet first aid? Do you even have a pet first aid kit?

I know we never want to think that anything could happen to our pets. We are sure that nothing ever will, and that we don't need to worry about it, or if anything does happen, that we can just rush them to the vet's office and they can take care of our beloved animals.

Well, as a professional pet sitter, I need to be prepared for anything that can happen. Remember, you will not always be near a vehicle to transport your pet right away and you may not be able to get them to a vet safely if they have not had pet first aid administered first.

Administering pet first aid will give your pet a better chance at coming through an incident than a pet that has not had first aid before transport to your veterinarian.

You need to have a pet first aid kit with you at all times in your home, in your car, and one carried with you wherever you go with your animals. You never know what may happen.

You need to first start out with creating a pet first aid kit. You can buy some kits on the market, and this is a good start, but you will usually have to add to the kit to make it complete with everything you may need for a pet emergency.

Pet First Aid Kit Contents

Dressings & Bandages

1. Adhesive Tape (1 inch roll)

2. Gauze pads (3 or 4 inch squares)

3. Gauze rolls (2 inch for small dogs, 3 inch for big dogs)

4. Triangular bandages

5. Individually wrapped Sanitary Napkins

Instruments

1. Digital Thermometer (check battery twice a year)

2. Scissors (blunt end)

3. Tweezers

4. Eye Dropper

5. Syringe (12cc with needle removed)

Ointments, Disinfectants & Medications

1. Antihistamine (gel caps in blister pack, poke hole with safety

pin and squirt into pet's mouth)

2. Antibiotic (triple) (ex. Neosporin)

3. Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)

4. Mercurochrome

5. Vinegar or Baking Soda (for neutralizing burns caused by acid)

6. Activated Charcoal (for absorbing poisons)

7. Petroleum Jelly (lubricant for thermometer)

8. Kaopectate

9. Chemical Ice Pack

Misc. Equipment and Supplies

1. Small Flashlight

2. Needle Nose Pliers

3. Q-tips

4. Betadine Solution

5. Razor Blades

6. Extra Leash and Collar

7. Muzzle

8. Plastic Bags (for clean up or samples)

9. Permanent Marking Pen

10. Towel or Blanket (big enough to use for transport)

11. Latex, Nitrile or Rubber Gloves

12. Photo of You with Your Pet

I always have a basic pet first aid kit on me when I go out for pet sitting or dog walking. I put the basics in a fanny pack and carry it with me whenever I have a job. You can do the same, or carry a backpack, or however makes you feel most comfortable. The larger items can be a part of your vehicle pet first aid kit, and your home pet first aid kit.