Dog First Aid Kit Preparation

 Although emergency situations are not something anyone wants to think of, there is a real need to have a first aid kit prepared and ready to deal with dog health situations. Early treatment for many of the minor and even the major traumas that can occur with your dog is the best way to ensure that he or she will have a full and speeding recovery.

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Even if your community, vet or local dog shelter or dog club doesn't offer specific dog first aid training, you can still take a human first aid course. Most of the dog health emergency situations that occur such as cuts, broken bones, skin irritations and even shock and heatstroke are going to be treated almost the same for both humans and dogs. If you understand the basics of human first aid, you can easily adjust the methods to work a dog.

Some community centers, colleges, vets, groomers and even pet stores offer short courses on dog first aid. Many of these courses include a complementary dog first aid kit, plus they cover the basics of dog health and emergency treatment. Often these classes are only a couple of hours and are done evenings and weekends to allow busy working dog owners to attend.

Preparing A First Aid Kit 

Buying a commercially prepared first aid kit will cover almost all dog health emergency issues, however if your dog is on any special medications or has existing health conditions you may need to add things. These could include medications your dog is on, allergy pills or treatments or even insulin if your dog is diabetic. Keep in mind that medications don't last forever so you need to constantly rotate the medications to keep them current.

Many dog owners prefer to make their own first aid kit to cover the basics for dog health emergencies. In essence your first aid kit can be kept in anything, however a small fishing tackle box, metal lunch box or any other type of plastic or metal container, ideally one that is waterproof, is a good option.

The essentials for your emergency kit include:

  • Long gauze bandages or VetWrap for body and leg bandaging and securing
  • Gauze pads of various sizes for covering wounds
  • Regular bandages of several different sizes
  • Cotton balls or pads for cleaning
  • Small bottle of water for flushing out wounds and emergency water for the dog
  • Antiseptic or antibacterial spray
  • Antibiotic cream such as Neosporin
  • Hydrogen peroxide – a small bottle both for inducing vomiting for poison consumption or for flushing wounds
  • Tweezers
  • Scissors
  • Needle and thread for stitching wounds if necessary
  • Soft rope or nylon muzzle for restraining the dog
  • A few baby aspirin pills – Check with your vet before giving anything else

Remember your first aid kit is just for emergency situations that have to deal with dog health issues. It should be kept somewhere easy to get to and should be with you when you leave the house. Many owners keep a first aid kit for emergency dog health issues in their car as well as at home so they are always prepared.