Pets are always getting themselves into mischief, which means the likelihood of an accident happening and your pet injuring themselves is very high. Of course, there are many different treatment options for when your pet is in pain, such as these premium pet oils that can reduce inflammation and help them recover faster. However, everyone who shares a home with a pet should also have a basic pet first-aid kit on hand. Keep your pet’s first-aid kit in your home and take it with you if you are traveling with your pet.
Basic first-aid supplies
- Absorbent gauze pads
- Adhesive tape
- Self-cling bandage (bandage that stretches and sticks to itself but not to fur-available at pet stores and from pet-supply catalogs)
- Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder or spray
- Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)
- Cotton balls or swabs
- Gauze rolls
- Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting-do this only when directed by a veterinarian or a poison-control expert)
- Ice pack
- Non-latex disposable gloves and other forms of PPE if necessary
- Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)
- Rectal thermometer (your pet’s temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
- Scissors (with blunt ends)
- Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
- Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
- Tweezers
- A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment
- A pet carrier
Other useful items
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), if approved by a veterinarian for allergic reactions. A veterinarian must tell you the correct dosage for your pet’s size.
- Ear-cleaning solution
- Expired credit card or sample credit card (from direct-mail credit-card offers) to scrape away insect stingers
- Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic dogs or those with low blood sugar)
- Nail clippers
- Non-prescription antibiotic ointment
- Penlight or flashlight
- Plastic eyedropper or syringe
- Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) to clean the thermometer
- Splints and tongue depressors
- Styptic powder or pencil (sold at veterinary hospitals, pet-supply stores, and your local pharmacy)
- Temporary identification tag (to put your local contact information on your pet’s collar when you travel)
- Towels
- Needle-nosed pliers