Dog Supplies

First aid kits for dogs are essential, especially if your dog needs daily medications. When heading out on road trips with your dog, toss his first aid kit in the car. You never know when you’ll need it!

Dog First Aid Kits Options

You can easily purchase a complete first aid kit or design your own. Both have benefits:

• Purchasing a complete kit saves time and contains less. On the downside, most contain generic supplies in a limited space bag (smaller bag), preventing space for additional items.
• Creating your own kit takes a bit more planning and time. However, you can add specific items for your dog’s needs.

Option 1: Purchasing a Complete First Aid Kit

With so many pet first aid kits out there, I’ve searched and searched and found the first best first aid kit for the price.

Pros:

• All essential supplies included
• Items are clearly labeled (huge plus!)
• Great buy for price
• Roomier bright-colored bag to add additional items

Cons:

• Refrain from purchasing the optional stapler (no explanation needed, leave it to a vet)

Option 2: Creating Your Own Dog First Aid Kit

Print a list of contact phone numbers, laminate if possible, and place in first aid kit. Also, include an up-to-date phone number of your dog in case he gets lost. Include:

• Animal Poison Control Center: 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)
• Your vet’s  phone number
• Nearest ER vet’s address/phone number
• Dog’s microchip number
• Copy of rabies certificate
• Health history for dogs with medical conditions (diabetes, Addison’s disease, etc.)

Essential First Aid Supplies:

• Download and review Pet First Aid App on your phone
• Sterile non-stick gauze pads (2×2 and 4×4)
• Absorbable gauze pads
• Gauze wrap (1 inch)
• Sterile saline solution (for rinsing wounds, found at pharmacies)
• Antiseptic wipes (such as Hibitane)
• Tweezers
• 2-inch wide vet wrap (use as a protector for bandages)
• Hydrogen peroxide (small bottle to induce vomiting)
• Instant ice packs (reduce swelling, pain or heat exhaustion)
• Hot packs (keeps dog warm)
• Blunt nose scissors
• 1 pair sterile plastic gloves
• Rectal thermometer (dog’s normal temperature is 100-103 degrees)
• Petroleum jelly (small squeeze tube, use for inserting the rectal thermometer)
• 1-inch wide adhesive tape (used to secure pads and wraps)
• General purpose triple antibiotic ointment (can purchase at a pharmacy)
• Muzzle (even the nicest dog can bite when in pain)
• Phazyme (Simethicone) Ultra Strength Anti-Gas gel capsules (give immediately if you suspect Bloat -Gastric Dilation-Torsion)
• Bright-colored durable bag with multiple zipper compartments

Extremely Useful Additions:

• Pen light
• Tick remover
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Immodium and Probiotics (ease diarrhea)
• Wound spray (such as Vetericyn)
• Wound cleaner (Nolvason 4 oz)
• Large and small syringes (flushing wounds)
• Rescue Remedy (give 2-4 drops on your dog’s tongue, helps to calm him)
• Eye ointment (non-prescription)
• Vet-prescribed pain medicine
• 1 week supply of vet-prescribed medication needed for your dog
• Paw protecter covers (keeps paw or toe wounds clean and dry). In a pinch, tape a plastic bag over the dog’s paw when bringing outside to potty. Remove afterwards so wound can breathe
• Alcohol-free Bitter Apple (prevents dogs from chewing bandages)

 What’s in your dog’s first aid kit?

Review of First Aid Apps

Really, there is an iPhone app for everything! If you’re a pet owner, I highly recommend downloading and reviewing this app before an emergency or road trip with your dog. To help you choose, let’s discuss the most popular pet first aid phone app reviews with options for each. After you download the first aid app, I highly recommend completing a pet first aid class too!

Note: Pet First Aid apps should not replace regular veterinary checks.

American Red Cross Pet First Aid App

Red Cross has been a pillar in first aid for many years and now they’ve created a pretty awesome pet first aid app.

• Regardless of location, this app can locate the nearest AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited veterinary hospital or emergency hospital (depending on time of day) from your current location. This is a must-have if you travel often with your dogs!
• It has simple step-by-step instructions for over 25 pet emergencies.
• It contains short and informative videos demonstrating CPR and other pet emergencies.
• You can create folders for multiple pets, including their veterinary information, microchip number, upload a current photo and so much more.
• It’s packed with preventive care tips.

Pet Tech Pet First Aid App

• Regardless of location, this app can locate nearest veterinary hospital or emergency hospital from your current location. When searching, list appears using Google Maps with contact information listed, and you’re able to directly call from list. It’s a must have!
• Snout to Tail assessment for preventive care video
• Create ICE Folders with important pet and veterinary information, such as microchip information and pet identification tag for multiple dogs
• Simple step-by-step instructions
• Information videos demonstrating CPR and other pet emergencies
• Immediate access to National Animal Poison Contact Number

Which pet first aid app is your favorite? What are your reviews? I have still not decided which one I’ll purchase, but I’m strongly leaning on the Pet Tech app or maybe the Red Cross app. I can’t decide!