A First Aid Kit for Dogs
Summer is upon us, and with it, numerous opportunities for outdoor adventures! From walks in the park to longer forays in the Colorado high country, we hope that you and your canine friend take advantage of the warm weather to connect with nature and get your bodies moving. With every adventure however, comes the chance of injury. Be prepared by having a simple pet first aid kit on hand in your car or backpack. Easy to assemble, it will come in handy in the case of a torn pad, broken nail, open wound and more.
To start, find or purchase a spare, zippable pouch large enough to hold the following items:
- Pair of disposable, latex or nitrile gloves
- Non-stick bandages
- Elastic, self-adhering wrap
- Saline wash
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Emergency thermal blanket
- Benadryl
If you prefer to purchase a pet first aid kit rather than assembling it yourself, this is an affordable choice. We recommend adding Benadryl to it to help with allergic reactions.
In addition to a first aid kit, it’s also advisable to keep a spare water bowl and bottle of water in your car. As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested anything that could be poisonous in nature, including a plant, contact the ASPCA pet poison hotline immediately at (888) 426-4435.
For information about administering first aid, including first steps, calming an injured dog, recognizing and treating shock, CPR and rescue breathing and more, click here. With a few simple preparations, you and your dog will be ready for every outing that comes your way this summer. Happy adventuring!
