Putting Together a Pet First Aid Kit

Animals suffer injuries and accidents just like we do. You probably have a first aid kit of sorts at home, and maybe even take one with you on holiday, so in the same respect you should also have one in case of a pet emergency. You should be able to buy a ready-made kit at your local pet store, but you can also put your own together to make sure that you have everything you might need based on your pet’s lifestyle and needs.

There are some items that should form part of any pet first aid kit, however. These include a decent pair of scissors in case anything becomes matted into their fur or in case they get caught in something. Tweezers can be handy for removing splinters and anything else caught in wounds. Medical tape and pet-friendly dressings and bandages are often used if there is a wound or injury, and you’ll also need a suitable pair of bandage scissors with blunted blades to protect the skin.

Antiseptic wash and wipes is a more gentle way of cleaning up an injury – never use rubbing alcohol on open sores and wounds – and antibiotic ointment can treat minor skin wounds quickly, although be careful if your pet is likely to lick the affected area.

Gloves are always a good idea, for protecting you and them, as is a muzzle, because even the most well-behaved animals might bite when injured or upset. Also get a thermometer and make sure you know your pet’s normal temperature.