How to Make a First Aid Kit for Pets

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More people are bringing their pets along with them on their outdoor adventures than ever before. Many state and federal parks have loosened their regulations regarding pets in their parks, and campers and hikers have taken advantage of this. Just like humans, pets can sustain injuries, and accidents can happen in even the most prepared situations. Like their human companions, pets need to have a first aid kit, too. Making a first aid kit for you pet isn't that difficult, and many of the items you use on yourself can be used on your pet too.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Plastic or other waterproof container Veterinary contact information Poison control phone number Gauze pads (small and large) Paper and adhesive first aid tape 3 inch gauze roll Vetwrap Bandaids (variety size box) Scissors Tweezers Nail clippers Styptic powder Cotton swabs Disposable gloves Paper towels Rectal thermometer Petroleum jelly Towels and blanket Eye dropper Soap Gatorade Pedialyte Karo syrup Betadine solution Antiseptic Triple antibiotic salve Ophthalmic ointment Eyewash Buffered or canine aspirin Benadryl Cortisone spray or cream Hydrogen peroxide Diarrhea medication Snake bite kit Ear cleaner Activated charcoal First aid guide for pets
Plastic or other waterproof container
Veterinary contact information
Poison control phone number
Gauze pads (small and large)
Paper and adhesive first aid tape
3 inch gauze roll
Vetwrap
Bandaids (variety size box)
Scissors
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Styptic powder
Cotton swabs
Disposable gloves
Paper towels
Rectal thermometer
Petroleum jelly
Towels and blanket
Eye dropper
Soap
Gatorade
Pedialyte
Karo syrup
Betadine solution
Antiseptic
Triple antibiotic salve
Ophthalmic ointment
Eyewash
Buffered or canine aspirin
Benadryl
Cortisone spray or cream
Hydrogen peroxide
Diarrhea medication
Snake bite kit
Ear cleaner
Activated charcoal
First aid guide for pets

Step 1

Choose a plastic container that will be large enough to hold all of the necessary first aid supplies you will be carrying to treat your pet. Plastic will keep all of your medical supplies dry in the event of rain.

Step 2

Enclose phone numbers in the kit for your pet's veterinarian and the poison control center, in the event you have an emergency you aren't sure how to treat or a serious injury.

Step 3

Pack basic bandaging materials such as small- and large-size gauze pads, paper and adhesive first aid tape, rolls of three-inch gauze and Vetwrap and a box of human bandaids that come in a variety of sizes.

Step 4

Collect basic equipment and supplies to enclose in your kit, such as scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, styptic powder, cotton swabs, disposable gloves, paper towels, rectal thermometer, petroleum jelly, towels or blanket, eye dropper and soap.

Step 5

Include nutritional supplies such as Gatorade or Pedialyte for rehydration purposes and Karo syrup for a high sugar source.

Step 6

Pack basic medications such as Betadine solution for wound cleansing, antiseptic, triple antibiotic salve, ophthalmic ointment for the eyes, eye wash solution, buffered or canine aspirin, benadryl for allergic reactions, cortisone spray or cream, hydrogen peroxide (to make the dog vomit), diarrhea medication, snake bite kit, ear cleaner and activated charcoal in the event your pet eats something poisonous.

Step 7

Include a booklet with basic instructions on treating your pet in major and minor first aid situations.

Tips & Warnings

You can use gauze as a muzzle if you need to make one for your injured pet.

Do not give Pepto Bismol to a cat as the aspirin in it can be fatal.

Resources

Doctors Foster and Smith-Treating Dog Diarrhea

Article Written By Joyce Starr

Joyce Starr is a professional writer from Florida and owns a landscaping company and garden center. She has published articles about camping in Florida, lawn care and gardening and writes for a local gardening newsletter. She shares her love and knowledge of the outdoors and nature through her writing.

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