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DIY Pet First Aid Kit

August 7, 2012 By Irresistible Pets 15 Comments

Having a Pet First Aid Kit is something that ALL pet owners need to have. We hope for the best, but sometimes accidents happen and being prepared can make all the difference in saving your pets life! There are lots of Pet First Aid Kits on the market that you can purchase already assembled. They can be a little expensive, so why not do it yourself? I find that way I can put exactly what I want and need inside of the kit….and save some money!

DIY Pet First Aid Kit by IrresistiblePets.com

You can purchase many of these items at your local pharmacy, Target, or Walmart. I got almost everything for my kit at the Dollar Tree! There are some items that you may need to purchase from your veterinarian, so always check with them if you have any questions.

DIY Pet First Aid Kit

DIY Pet Emergency First Aid Kit Checklist

The kit that I created includes the “basic” items that every pet owner should have. There are specific items that you may need depending on your pet’s breed and medical history. Always check with your veterinarian to make sure you’ve covered all bases.

Here’s a quick “cheat sheet” of the things you need for a basic Pet First Aid Kit. I’ve explained each of these items below. At the end of this post is a detailed checklist if you want to create a more robust kit!

Diy Pet First Aid Kit Cheat Sheet

Pet Emergency Contact Sheet

Every pet owner should have an emergency contact sheet filled out in advance with this vital information:

  • Animal Poison Control #
  • Emergency Vet #
  • Known Medication/Food Allergies
  • Medications & Dosages (for existing medication AND list the dosages for emergency meds like Benedryl, etc)
  • Medical Records
  • Pet Insurance
  • Pet Names, Pics, & Vitals
  • Vet Phone #

The last thing you want to do during an emergency is to go searching around for phone numbers and addresses. You can get a detailed description of what to include in this post, Are You Prepared for a Pet Emergency?

I would also recommend purchasing a First-Aid Book for Pets that you can keep inside of your kit. There’s also this free resource online from Red Cross with basic first aid procedures for cats, dogs and small pets. 

Pet First Aid Kit Supplies

Tools & Materials

Now, let’s talk about the basic tools and materials you should have in your kit. The checklist has a longer list, but these are the basics:

  • Adhesive Tape – For securing gauze.
  • Cotton Balls – To help apply ointments and clean up any blood.
  • Gauze Pads and Roll – This is to wrap wounds and can serve as a make-shift muzzle if need be.
  • Instant Cold Pack – To help cool down the skin if your pet is burned. It’s a good idea to use a rag
  • Q-Tips – To help clean wounds, administer ointments, clean ears, paws, etc.
  • Towels & Rags – Used for washing, keeping the pet warm/cool, and transporting to the vet.
  • Scissors (blunt tip) – To cut gauze or to help cut long fur. Always get scissors with a bunt tip to prevent cutting your pet.
  • Syringe or Eye Dropper – To give oral medication or to help flush out wounds.
  • Tongue Depressors – Can be used for oral exam or to create a leg splint.
  • Tweezers – To remove splinters, or other foreign materials from wounds.
DIY Pet First Aid Kit

Medications and Ointments

These are the basic medications and ointments you should have on hand in your Pet First Aid Kit:
  • Antibacterial Cleanser – To clean your hands and any tools you are using.
  • Antibiotic Ointment  –  Use for minor skin wounds. Always use with discretion and ensure that the pet cannot lick the ointment.
  • Bactine – To disinfect wounds.
  • Children’s Benadryl- Used for allergic reactions, bug bites. Check with a vet before administering.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide (3 percent) – To induce vomiting. Always contact your vet or animal poison control first.
  • Petroleum Jelly – To help insert a rectal thermometer.
  • Sterile Saline Eye Solution – To flush out foreign objects in your pet’s eye or to help clean around the eye area. Do not use contact solution!
Here’s the full checklist I was talking about earlier if you want to add more than just the basics to your kit:

Is there anything else you would add to your Pet First Aid Kit? Leave a comment and let me know! Be sure to stop by our DIY Pet Project gallery for more do it yourself ideas for pet parents!


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Filed Under: Chuy Chihuahua, DIY, DIY Pet Care, Health

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Comments

  1. Jessica Sala says

    August 10, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    This is pretty much what we have in Parris and Blue’s first aid kit, but I also have something else in ours. Blue is an extremely anxious dog and of course his anxiety is heightened when in pain or hurt. I also have a few pills of a natural calming product called Happy Traveler from Ark Natural to help him through any minor injury fixups that we can do at home. Plus, it relaxes him enough that we’ve been able to remove the muzzle from our kit!

    Reply
  2. Laurie says

    April 18, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    I do animal rescue and I picked up a bottle of dog aspirin to keep in my first aid kit too. Children’s Motrin can be used for pain and inflammation but call your vet for dosing instructions. Another great item is pedialite. Dollar Tree has the small bottle of generic. Works great for dehydration!

    Reply
    • Irresistible Pets says

      April 19, 2016 at 2:06 pm

      These are great additions! Thanks for the tip!

      Reply
    • Carina says

      February 17, 2017 at 8:32 am

      Hi there! I saw your comment on Pinterest regarding Pest’s First Aid Kit. Where do you buy the dog aspirin? Thanks.

      Reply
  3. Brinkley says

    July 25, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    I have not seen this on your list but if you are going somewhere you would want water, food, and a portable bowl.

    Reply
  4. Laura says

    December 1, 2017 at 12:13 am

    I love this and it has great ideas. I think one thing people may want to put in their box would be a muzzle especially if the dog is injured. I hate those things but for the safety of the dog and people this may be a necessity.

    Reply
    • Irresistible Pets says

      December 13, 2017 at 7:40 am

      Yes, good idea!

      Reply

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