5 Things to Have on Hand for Pet First Aid
April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month! Much like how we as humans have a first aid kit in our house, it is important to also have first aid materials for your pet(s)! Unexpected injuries can happen at any moment, so it is better to be prepared in the case you cannot make it to a veterinary hospital in a hurry. We put together a list of few things that may be helpful in the case of a pet injury or emergency! Here are 5 things to have on hand for pet first aid:
1) Bandages
“Adhesive tape and adhesive bandages will sometimes be needed in a pet emergency to control bleeding until you can get veterinary care. There are non-adhesive bandages available that won’t stick to fur. Have some scissors handy, too. There are scissors available that make it easy to remove bandages without the risk of accidentally hurting your pet.(2)” Make sure you have a stash on hand of adhesive tape, adhesive bandages, absorbent gauze pads, cotton balls or swabs, alcohol wipes and safety scissors.
2) Canned Chicken Broth or Tuna
“Canned chicken broth or tuna may come in handy if your pet gets into something poisonous, such as a toxic plant or a household cleaner. It can help flush out the mouth and esophagus. Your pet will still need to be taken to the vet for medical help. (2)” You can easily keep a can of each in your kit so that you have it ready to feed you pet at a moment’s notice!
3) Dish Soap
Liquid dish soap or dish washing detergent can be used to safely clean your pet’s fur if they come into contact with a chemical. (2) You’ll also want to have a towel on hand if you end up needing to bathe your pet. We recommend contacting your veterinarian or animal poison control before applying the soap.
4) Licks Dog Pain Relief or Cat Ache Aid gel packets!
We as humans are sometimes in need of immediate pain relief, such as Advil or Aspirin, at home until we can reach a medical professional. Same goes for pets! These Pain Relief gel packets provide a temporary relief of pain and discomfort in cats and dogs. Simply squeeze the contents of the packet onto a plate for your pet to lick when they are experiencing pain. This discomfort relief formula is a fever reducer, relieves temporary pain, and helps diminish discomfort.
5) Local Contact Information
Always have the phone number, clinic name and address of your veterinarian as well as local veterinary emergency clinics on hand so that you do not waste any time searching for this information in an emergency! It would also be helpful to have the phone number of ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in your firs aid kit. (1)
“Be sure to check your kit every few months to make sure nothing has expired or needs to be replaced. And of course always keep your kit out of the reach of children and pets!” See the complete list of items for your own do-it-yourself first-aid kit, recommended by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center here. (1)
