Putting together an emergency first aid kit for pets
A first aid kit for your pet will come in handy in emergencies. A standard kit for humans may suffice, but it is better to have the necessary items to clean and bandage your pet's wound, fashion a muzzle or even extract stingers in cause of bee stings.
[image credited to womantalks.com]
Humans have first aid kits, and so should animals. Whether it’s just a minor cut or an emergency, you should always have these items on hand so you can tend to your pet.
- One-inch wide surgical tape
- A pair of tweezers—for handling sterile gauze pads
- Adhesive bandages
- Cotton rolls
- Gauze pads
- Gauze tape
- Large towel—to wrap around your pet securely or to absorb blood
- Muzzle (or fashion one)—great for ensuring that your canine friend who is scared or in pain does not nip.
- Saline—for cleaning wounds
- A pair of scissors
- Emergency ice pack (tip: always have them in your fridge so you’ll always have them ready)
How to fashion a makeshift muzzle:
- Use a long piece of fabric, such as a scarf or panty hose.
- Make a loop with the fabric and place the loop snugly around your dog’s snout.
- Tie the ends of the fabric behind its head to secure it. You should not place a muzzle on a dog that is choking, experiencing breathing difficulties, or is unconscious. If you have a dog with a short or flat snout such as a bulldog, shih tzu or pug, you should purchase a suitable muzzle beforehand and place it in your first aid kit.
