As you know, this week I’m on a road trip with my family to North Carolina. Before I set out on my big adventure, there was some things that had to be checked off my to-do list. Once of those items included creating a Pet First Aid Kit to have with me just incase there was a pet emergency. You can never be too prepared!
Before creating my kit I researched what I should include in it. I ended up coming up with my own concoction of items that I gathered from lists on the American Red Cross, the Animal Poison Control Center, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
I admit, my own first aid kit has quite a few items in it, but isn’t that the point – to be OVER PREPARED? I probably would of made a really good boy scout!
Many of the items in my kit I already had on hand (the benefit of having a grandma who is a nurse), but I gathered them all up and put them into a handy kit that will travel with me in the car from now on.
DIY Pet First Aid Kit:
- Gauze Wrap*
- Telfa pad*
- Gauze squares*
- Strips of clean cloth (I used an old but clean t-shirt) for making a splint
- Popsicle sticks* (for stabilizing an injury with a splint)
- Bandage Tape*
- Bandage Scissors*
- Wound cleaning solution (I used a Nolvasan solution* I got from my vet when I got my puncture wound this summer)
- Hydrogen Peroxide *(3%) (to induce vomiting)
- Digital Pet Thermometer* (mine has a flexible tip and is not specifically designed for pets)
- Petroleum Jelly* for lubricating thermometer
- Syringe* without the needle
- Liquid dish soap*
- Rubber gloves*
- Can of Chicken*
- Electrolyte Beverage (I used Gatorade*)
- Tweezers*
- Tick comb* & regular comb
- Towel
- Portable bowl*
- Spare collar and ID tag
- Vet wrap*
- Cotton Swabs*
- Benadryl*
- Baby Aspirin*
- Antibiotic Ointment*
- Instant ice pack*
- Hand sanitizer*
- Pet tooth brush*
- List of emergency numbers
*contains affiliate links
Not pictured in my kit are also a few handy iPhone apps that Mom helped me download.
The Pet First Aid App is $3.99 in the apple store, and one of my very favorite purchases. Not only does it help you out in the case of an emergency (by telling you how to give CPR to your pet, how to control bleeding and so much more), but it also helps you store and organize records on your pet; like when they are due for shots, their license and registration id’s, and any medications or conditions.
The Pet MD Symptom Checker is also a useful app to have in your arsenal and is $0.99 in the app store. Easily plug in symptoms of your dog or cat and be directed to articles of possible diagnosis.
You should also make sure you store important phone numbers for your pet in your phone. I keep on hand my personal vet’s number, a local 24 hour emergency vet number, the Pet Poison Helpline number (1-800-213-6680), and a phone number for an emergency vet where-ever I will be traveling to.
I hope to never have to use the items in my pet first aid kit, but I sleep a little sounder at night knowing that I’m extra prepared in case I ever need it!
Anyone else have a pet first aid kit in their car? Any other suggestions of items I may have forgotten to include? Do tell! 
You might include a muzzle — JUST in case an emergency services agency/person (silly as this seems) requires it to take you for further treatment. I don’t wear mine, but it’s there “just in case” some silly person needs me to have it (I don’t need it, of course!). Also, my mom uses powdered electrolyte stuff — lighter, and lasts longer. And she puts a bottle of sterile saline solution in my kit — for both irrigating wounds, and/or eyes! She did NOT, however, include, chicken — which I have pointed out to her repeatedly. Since she’s a huge fan of yours, I expect the chicken to show up soon. Thanks for being a cool role-dog.
Not silly at all, Peabody! I think that muzzles are great for a first aid kid! Prior to having back surgery this past winter, our little guy was in so much pain that while crying, he began to “guard” himself a little and my husband got a tooth to the nose that needed stitches. Our dog would never hurt a flea, but their instinct to protect themselves when in distress is strong. It’s a good way to keep everyone safe.
This is a wonderful idea. I’m going to start gathering one formy dog.
Hi Ammo, I forgot one thing: a headlamp. One of those cheap ones will do…mom found it particularly useful when single-handedly trying to (and I feel like a traitor for saying this) look into my ears…and it’s great for shedding light on stuff when there’s no one to help!
Safe travels friend!
Great job on the first aid kit Ammo! Sounds very similar to ours. We have a strobe light in ours also. Thank goodness we’ve never needed ours yet!
Hugs,
Lily Belle & Muffin
Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone!
I also have a penlight and a pet first aid book for my human. We also have syptic powder (i like to play with the big dogs). Be safe!
This is great information, thank you for sharing!
Thanks Ammo this is a great ideal
Some of these I would never have thought of.
Super glue. Oddly enough, my vet recommended I keep this on hand since my pup is quite the little adventurer, but has delicate feet. Of course, you should also try to prevent pad tears, but when they happen, clean it, and glue it back together.
Good to know, thanks for the tip!
I know this is an old post, but Hydrogen Peroxide needs to be in a dark bottle. Light kills some of its healing properties. Overall, its a great kit! Also, I would recommend some nail clippers and kwik-stop. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had to stop nail bleeding and treat torn nails.
Good to know! Thanks for the recommendations.
Thanks for the post 🙂
Thank you! I’m leaving NC soon to go on vacation!!
Great idea! My husband and Buddy will be having a “guys” weekend soon while my daughters and I are in Virginia. I will be packing one of these for them
Thanks for the list i will definitely have to put one of these together before our winter vacation. Last year our pup had an issue with some thorns in the sand this kit would have came in very handy.