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Every dog owner should have a dog first aid kit.
It's a common sense safety measure that will not only take the stress out of accidents but could potentially save your dog's life.
Accidents can happen no matter how well you look after your dog and how careful you are with them, so it's always best to be prepared for every eventuality.
In this blog, we're putting together our top tips for creating a dog first aid kit so you'll never have to worry about caring for them in an emergency. Discover the best things to include and why, so you'll never have to worry about being unprepared to care for your dog.
Table of contents:
Why do I need a dog first aid kit?
What should be in a dog first aid kit?
Shop first aid supplies at Groomers
Why do I need a dog first aid kit?
A dog first aid kit is essential for aiding your dog in an accident and giving them preventative care when they can't always be seen immediately by a vet.
Dogs are explorers at heart. They love to scavenge, sniff, roll, chase and jump into things with all their energy and vigour without worrying about the consequences, and a dog first aid kit could be your first line of defence should your dog get hurt.
A dog first aid kit can be a huge asset in situations such as:
- Dealing with scrapes and cuts when they've been out on an adventure or, more seriously, in a tussle with another dog or animal.
- Cooling them down when they are overheating or at risk of heatstroke
- Aiding them in an accident when you're camping, travelling or exploring until you can get them to a vet.
What should be in a dog first aid kit?
When deciding what to put in your dog's first aid kit, you should consider your dog's age, breed and the circumstances they will be in. For example, you may need a more detailed kit for taking your dog on a mountain hike than you would if you took them for a countryside stroll home.
Although some of your dog's first aid kit will be breed and age-specific, there are some common key elements to include.
Your dog's medical card and vet information
If you need your dog's vet information in an emergency, it's always good to have their number and details to hand in your first aid kit. Although you may already have their details stored in your phone, it's good to have a hard copy backup in case you're away from home and not with your dog when an accident occurs.
You should also keep your dog's vaccine history card with the kit should you ever need to visit an emergency vet who may need to see it before they can treat your dog. You'll also need to show this if you ever kennel your dog.
Other useful information to store with your vet's details is the Animal Poison Line, which can give emergency poisoning support if your dog ingests something dangerous that it shouldn't. The call will cost around £35, but it could save your dog's life and prevent a trip to the vet.
If you're travelling, it's good practice to take a recent photo of your dog in case they get lost.
A first aid book for dogs
Although the internet is full of great advice on dog health care, some of it can be conflicting. Also, if your dog has an accident somewhere without internet access, this could be a real problem in an emergency.
Instead of relying on the internet, choose a good first aid for dogs book written with veterinary advice, such as "First Aid For Dogs" by Emma Hammett. Store it in your dog's first aid kit to know you're safely treating your dog in an accident.
The best books are the ones that offer clear step-by-step instructions on how to examine your dog, alongside the most common first aid problems and how to deal with them whilst waiting to see a vet, and vet-approved emergency CPR should your dog ever need it - it's just what you need for helping your dog in a crisis.
First aid essentials
Although there are endless things you could add to your dog's first aid kit, in this section, we've pulled together the most common essentials used in most everyday accidents, incidents, cuts and scrapes. Include the following items and store them in a clear, see-through bag, out of reach of children and pets:
- Bandages, dressings and sterile gauzes in various sizes. Apply pressure to a bleeding wound to slow or stop the bleeding before dressing it.
- Tweezers for removing unwanted matter from wounds (if safe to do so - if a foreign object is sealing a wound, do not remove it until under vet supervision)
- Tick twisters - remember to pull a tick upwards with the remover to remove it safely. Avoid leaving the head behind, as this could lead to infection.
- Disinfectant spray and antiseptic wipes to clean wounds. Always clean a wound before dressing it, using an antiseptic solution safe enough for your dog to lick.
- Cotton wool and swabs
- Blunt-end multipurpose scissors
- Latex or vinyl gloves for treating wounds to prevent contamination. In an emergency, there may not be time to wash your hands. Gloves can prevent new germs from entering a wound.
- A digital pet thermometer
- A thick towel - this could be used as a damp wrap if your dog is overheating or even as a splint for fractures when combined with duct tape.
- A foil blanket to keep your dog warm
- Dog-friendly sunscreen
- An inflatable collar to prevent your dog from licking its wounds
- Vet-prescribed antibiotic cream
- Any medication that your dog regularly takes
- An oral syringe
- Vet-prescribed or recommended activated charcoal in the event of a suspected poisoning
- Nail clippers
- A cage muzzle - even a calm dog may bite when in pain, so a muzzle will add that extra element of safety to any examination.
- A torch
- A water bottle is a multipurpose addition great for giving your dog small amounts to drink if they are overheating, soaking the paws and ears in the event of heatstroke and cleaning wounds with sterile water.
- A comfort item such as their favourite toy. This will help to relax your dog in an uncomfortable situation.
Shop first aid supplies and wellbeing products for your dog at Groomers
So now you know exactly what to put in your dog's first aid kit and why you need it, why not shop for first aid at Groomers? From a premade kit perfect for those accidents at home or in the salon to first aid sprays and coagulants to stop minor bleeds to add to your current kit, it's never been easier to find all those dog first aid essentials. Or, for more wellbeing products, why not browse our complete health and wellbeing range?
