The safety of our animals is the most important thing to keep in mind daily. Are you ready for when emergencies happen? What if your dog ate some chocolate out of the garbage? Or falls down a flight of stairs? This blog will provide you with everything you need to know about pet first aid to ensure you can protect your pet in an emergency situation.

Remain Calm In An Emergency Situation

Understandably when your pet is hurt, it can be a devastating situation. It is important to remain calm and focus on mending the issue as soon as possible. You will stress out your pet more if you get yourself worked up. Try to stay calm as best you can. Talk to them in a soothing voice and reassure them that everything will be okay. Be cautious because animals in pain can react by biting, so it is best to have a muzzle or fabric that can act as a muzzle in your pet’s first aid kit to use. Place this on your pet slowly and calmly. 

Have a Pet First Aid Kit Ready

Having the proper tools ready in case your dog or cat gets hurt is vital to protecting them before reaching your vet or an animal hospital. You should always have your veterinarian’s phone number, and the number for animal poison control easily accessible. Your pet first aid kit should be brought with you when you take your pet out for the day or on longer trips. Here are some items to include:

Adhesive Gauze: This works better than bandaids as they have more surface area and can cover an injured body part. Gauze can also be a temporary brace to support your pets’ limbs if they have fractures or broken bones. 

Hydrogen Peroxide: This is a fantastic disinfectant to clean out scrapes or cuts. Apply some to a cotton pad to clean the affected area. This can help prevent infections in wounds. Hydrogen peroxide can also induce vomiting if your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t. 

Antibiotic creams or ointments: Along with hydrogen peroxide, pet-friendly antibiotic creams or ointments can help slow down potential infections. This is useful if you’re very active with your dog. You can treat them immediately if they step on something and cut their paws!

A thermometer: Measuring your pets’ temperature is important if you suspect they might be ill. A thermometer will help you determine if they have a fever. The average body temperature for dogs and cats is 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 to 39.2 degrees Celsius).

Medications: If your dog is on medication to treat a condition or a health issue, keeping a backup supply in your pet’s first aid kit can be handy. You can also include over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines, anti-diarrheal medications, and flea and tick medications.

Always ask your vet which over-the-counter medications are pet friendly and speak to them about dosage amounts. 

Get To The Vet As Soon As You Can

If your emergency occurs close to home, ensure you bring your dog to the vet immediately. If you are going out of town with your pet, inform yourself of all the local pet hospitals in your area. Depending on the severity of the injury, you can treat your pet at home. For example, if you clip their nails too short and cut the quick, or their claws get caught on something while out on a walk, you can stop the bleeding by applying baking soda or cornstarch to the affected area. The sooner you act, the better your pets’ chances of recovery. 

The Bottom Line

Arming yourself with the right tools will help you act better when administering first aid to your pet. Always remember that any first aid you provide to your pet should always be followed up with a visit to the vet. Whether it is for a broken nail, a fracture or an insect bite, this blog helped you to understand how to properly build your pet first aid kit and what to do during those emergencies. 

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