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?