You never know when your pet may have accident. So, it is really essential to keep an emergency first aid kit with you at home and in your car. You can purchase the kit or make your own first aid kit. But what exactly do pets need in a first aid kit? Here is the list of items that must be included in the pet first aid kit as follows:
Bandages:
Square gauze of various sizes, clean rags, non- stick pads these can be used as bandage material. It can be used to stop and control the bleeding and keeping the wounds clean till you take your pooch or kitty to the veterinarian. You can also keep the non-adhesive vet wrap in your first aid kit, as it will not stick to your pet’s fur and don’t hurt your furry pal when removing it. Don’t forget to keep duct tape, as it is useful for holding the wraps or splints in one place.
Scissors:
This is a very useful tool. It is necessary for cutting the tape, gauze, splints or any other type of bandage. There are scissors which are designed specifically to remove the bandage, so that your pet’s skin may not get a cut while removing it.
Sterile Saline Eye Wash:
If your pet ever have debris or smoke into his eyes, Put two drops in the eyes of your furry pal and flush the eyes until all the debris is removed. You can keep this in your first aid kit to soothe the eyes of your pet’s.
Water:
This is the most important thing, as water can be used in many ways. It can be used to re-hydrate your pet, for flushing the wounds, washing off toxins, soothing burns, cooling overheated pet etc. You should keep gallon of water in your first aid kit. If you are away from home keep a collapsible dish too.
Equipment and supplies:
- Muzzle
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton balls
- Clean towels
- Rectal thermometer
- Disposable gloves
- Cold pack and heat packs(wrap in towel before using)
- Bitter apple or other product to discourage licking the wound
Pet Care Supplies:
- Styptic powder
- Diphenhydramine
- Sugar tablets
- Hydrogen peroxide (induce vomiting to reduce the ingested toxins)
Contact Numbers:
It is essential to keep the numbers on hand in an emergency case. You should have numbers for an:
- Animal emergency hospital
- Veterinarian
- Poison helpline
Note all the numbers on a small index card in your wallet, along with all the health reports of your pet.
Always remember that the first aid kit is not the substitute for veterinary care, It is just to help and save the life of your pet until it receives veterinary treatment.
