Assembling an Animal First Aid Kit

Preparation is a key component of animal care. In the event of an emergency you won’t have the time to gather everything you need to care for the animal. At that point every second counts.

First aid kits can be purchased already assembled, or you can put one together yourself to save on money and make sure the kit is tailor-made to your potential needs. Your kit should include:

• Bandages. Sterile gauze pads and wrap bandages work best, sticky bandages are generally not much use on a furred animal.
• Antiseptic wipes and hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds
• Antibiotic ointment
• Scissors capable of easily cutting thick hair
• Super glue or liquid bandage
• A soft strap to hold an animal’s muzzle closed if it poses a bite threat
• Medical tape. This works well for dressing wounds and also to place in between an animal’s teeth to keep its mouth from closing completely while removing obstructions from the mouth and throat.
• Tweezers, especially in areas with cactus or porcupines
• Cotton balls
• Surgical gloves

This is a basic first aid kit that should cover most common animal mishaps. If you are aware of other items that will be useful for emergencies unique to your living situation, be sure they are included as well.

It’s always a good idea to keep a kit in your home, one in your vehicle and one that can easily be brought along on walks so you’re prepared whenever a problem arises.