What should be included in a pet's first aid kit?
What is an animal first aid kit?
An animal first-aid kit contains veterinary essentials that can help treat common accidents or aid in unexpected emergencies. Where some injuries require professional veterinary assistance, every pet owner should own a pet first aid kit for injuries and problems that are treatable from home, or when access to a professional isn’t available.
Why do you need a first aid kit for your pet?
There are circumstances where an animal first aid kit could act as a vital lifeline for your pet. For instance, if there is an accident whilst on a road trip or long walk, you may find that immediate veterinarian care is out of reach. Sometimes, your pet may also require medical assistance when your local surgery is closed.
A pet first aid kit can also be useful for treating smaller issues that do not require veterinary intervention. Having a kit to hand means that you could use tick tweezers to remove ticks after walking through tall grass, rinse debris from an eye with sterile solution, or disinfect and bandage a small graze.
To ensure the wellbeing of your pet, keeping a pocket-sized kit on hand enables you to provide on-the-go care wherever you are. No matter how minor or major the injury is.
Common Pet Injuries:
As most pet owners are aware, accidents can and do happen. To avoid any household hazards injuring your pet, read our blog '5 household hazards you need to consider before getting a new dog'.
Understanding how to respond and treat some of the most common injuries is a vital part of responsible pet owner’s duty of care. Some of the most common pet injuries are listed below with information about how a pet first aid kit can help you take appropriate action when a vet isn’t available:
| Injury type | How a pet first aid kit can help |
|---|---|
| Bite wounds | Small - If the bite is small, then a pet first aid kit may come in handy to wash, sterilise, and dress the wound. Heavy bleeding - If the bite wound is more substantial and bleeding heavily you must apply pressure with a clean and dry dressing. Areas of skin missing - When assessing the wound it is important to check if there are areas of the skin missing. You must cover the wound with dry dressing and immediately take them to the vets; it may be more serious as hidden damage can be found below the skin. |
| Bleeding | Before acting, you must assess and locate where the blood is coming from. Don't forget to also check for bruises and wounds. If your pet has collapsed, you must immediately seek veterinary care. When you have located where the bleeding is coming from, apply pressure using a clean bandage. Do not remove the bandage as it will interfere with any clots and can cause the bleeding to start again. |
| Burns | Burns should immediately be treated by cool water, never use ice or iced water; Never put creams or ointments on your pets wound without consulting a vet, this can cause an infection and cause more harm. Don't forget to check for other injuries that may have affected your pet from the accident. The common causes of burns include:
You must obtain veterinary care quickly; your vet will be able to asses the severity of the burn and advise what kind of treatments your pet will need. If it is not possible to go to the vets, you can continue to cool the area with a cool compress. Whilst giving first aid to the burn, keep your pet warm by wrapping them up in a blanket. |
| Cuts and grazes | Minor cuts and grazes can sometimes be treated at home. Regardless of the size, wounds should always be monitored for signs of further infection. Signs of infection include swelling, itching, discharge, and redness.
To limit your pet from licking, scratching, or biting their wound you can use a buster collar or protective sock. However, if you do not own any of these items bandaging the affected area can also help before seeking further treatment. |
| Broken bones | Broken bones are painful and require urgent veterinary care, but there are a few ways to stabilise the situation until the vet can take over. Assess the injuries and be cautious when approaching your pet with a broken bone. They will be in a lot of pain and may bite if they are hurting, in this case you can use a muzzle to protect yourself whilst giving first aid or transporting your pet to a vet. Things to consider:
When moving your pet to a safe place avoid touching the broken area and don’t allow them to walk if they have broken a leg. If you believe they have a spinal injury, use a flat surface to carry them. |
What should a first aid kit for a pet contain?
The necessary items for your pet’s first aid kit should be built around your pet’s needs and lifestyles. When gathering supplies or purchasing a ready-made kit, it is important to consider that different species have different needs depending on their age and size. However, we recommend the following items to have in your pet’s first aid kit to ensure that you are fully prepared for the most common problems
Steroplast’s new animal first aid kit:
It can be difficult to face uncertain situations that can leave you worrying about the well-being of your pet.
Our new Steropaws Animal First Aid Kit is packed full of products that have been carefully selected to assist in minor medical emergencies, and to help with some major injuries until you have access to a vet. It is a simple, pocket-sized kit that is customised to aid in the event of an injury at home or outdoors and contains premium quality items that are used by professionals when treating pets. Below we have put together a table of the contents our animal first aid kit, with information about when and how to use them.
In the event of a severe accident, you must seek veterinary treatment as soon as possible.
| Number on diagram | Contents | Description | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sterile Eye and Wound Wash x 2 | Saline solution, in easy to use, squeezable pipettes. | Used for cleaning wounds, cuts and grazes. It can also be used to safely clean your pets eyes. |
| 2 | Sterile Gauze Swabs | Absorbent and sterile Steroswab offers cushioning and protection. | Sterile Gauze Swabs can be used when managing minor wounds - for cleaning, drying, and dressing the wound. Apply directly to wounds before wrapping up with tape or a bandage. |
| 3 | Cohesive Bandage (2.5cm) | Latex-free, flexible light compression bandage that sticks to itself but not the animals fur and stays in place once it has been applied. | Use over wound dressings for support and compression to keep dressings in place, and act as a protective layer. |
| 4 | Alcohol-Free Wipes x 2 | Alcohol-free disposable disinfection wipes. | Use to clean your pet's wound and minimise the risk of infection. |
| 5 | Resusciade - Face Shield - 100 Foil Packed | The mouth-to-mouth resusciade allows hygienic contact when used in CPR. | CPR can be used in situations when your pet's breathing has stopped due to electrocution, choking or drowning. |
| 6 | Large Nitrile Gloves x 1 | Soft, elasticated nitrile gloves for wearer comfort, powder-free to reduce the risk of contamination. | Prevent and protect your pet's wound from becoming contaminated when treating it, and protect yourself. |
| 7 | Conforming Bandage (5cm x 4cm) | High stretch, lightweight bandage that conforms closely to the contours of an animal's body. | Ideal for securing dressings in place (even in awkward areas) and permitting air circulation |
| 8 | Tick Twister | A reusable tool that is suitable for the removal of ticks in animals; it can also be disinfected and sterilised. | This device is specially designed to use a twisting action that easily removes ticks while minimising the risk of transferring tick-borne infections. |
| 9 | Small First Aid Scissors (blunt) | Handy scissors that fit easily in the pocket-sized kit. | For cutting and removing bandages, tapes, and gauze swabs safely. |
| 10 | Tweezers | An essential tool to have in a pet's first aid kit. | Safely remove any sharp objects that may be lodged in your pet's skin. |
| 11 | Foil Blanket x 1 (1.4m x 2m) | The foil blanket is made from metalised polyester film. | Can be used to combat shock or retain heat to keep yoour pet's core body temperature up. |
From walking injuries, animal bites, punctured wounds, and other general accidents, our Steropaws first aid kit has been designed to be practical, compact, and easy to use.
Although we have assembled a first aid kit that caters to the most common problems that your pet may face, you can also add to this kit, or buy the individual contents on our Veterinary essentials page.
We provide consistent quality in our products and are trusted by vets across the UK and Ireland; For over 20 years we have been the first choice in providing medical supplies for the veterinary sector.
Are you a veterinarian?
If you work in a veterinary surgery, it is vital that you have a cleaning protocol in place. Find out more about what a veterinary clinic cleaning protocol is and what to consider when making one.
We have also created a handy veterinary brochure to help you choose the products you need for your veterinary surgery. Check it our below:
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Simplify Workplace First Aid
Interactive Online Guide & Downloadable Brochure
Simplify Workplace First Aid
Interactive Online Guide & Downloadable Brochure
Choose the format that works for you: check out our Workplace First Aid Interactive Online Guide or download our Workplace First Aid Brochure as an easy-to-save PDF. Both include a self-assessment, product details, pricing, and comprehensive training and support.