What you should put in your dog's first-aid kit and why

You've probably already been told that you should have a first-aid kit for your dog. But do you really? If you've never had the conversation, now would be a good time to start. It's easy to forget about this kit since you don't interact with it daily, but the items inside can save your pet's life. 

As fur parents, we need to be ready for anything that might come our way. That's why we've prepared this list for you to help you have a dog first aid kit on hand at all times.

Assemble your doggo's first-aid kit using this shopping list:

• Absorbent gauze pads
• Adhesive tape
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting (always check with a veterinarian or animal poison control expert before giving it to your pet)
• Ice pack
• Disposable gloves
• Scissors with a blunt end
• Tweezers
• OTC antibiotic ointment
• An oral syringe or turkey baster
• Liquid dishwashing detergent (for bathing)
• Towels
• Small flashlight
• Alcohol wipes
• Styptic powder
• Saline eye solution
• Artificial tear gel

Check your pack every few months to see whether anything has expired or requires replacing. Of course, keep your gear out of reach of children for their safety.

Vaccination & Medical Records And Emergency Phone Numbers

You'll also want all of your dog's information in one location if you're dealing with a critical emergency. This will come in if your dog becomes injured and needs medical attention.

If you can get to an emergency veterinarian, they'll be able to give your dog better, safer care if they know his medical history. Even if you lose your phone, where your contacts are normally saved, you'll want emergency numbers on hand.

If you're going out of town and leaving your dog with a dog sitter or a friend, make sure they know where the documentation and emergency contacts are. They’ll be able to provide this information sheet to a vet while waiting for your return. 

The Takeaway

Not all of these items are ones you will frequently use — more the reason to keep them in your pet first-aid kit. Unfortunately, accidents happen mainly when a dog is young and exploring. They lose their vision and hearing as they get older and become slower, so accidents are less likely. But even in adulthood, a pet can still experience several issues. And even relatively minor injuries can be as painful for a dog as they would be for a human!

To put it simply: Modern life has provided us with so many ways for our pets to get hurt. So having a dog first-aid kit on hand and knowing what goes into it is an absolute necessity these days.