Pets are family so you’re going to want to do everything you can to provide a safe environment for them. But what do you do when your cat is suddenly limping from a cut or your dog is having difficulty breathing? While you can’t really plan for these events, you can at least prepare for them by brushing up on your pet first aid and having a handy kit readily available.
The American Red Cross is a great reference for learning about how you can keep your pet safer and healthier. By taking a class from this organization, you can refresh your memory on general first aid and CPR skills for your animal. Even if you don’t have time to take a class, you can at least purchase and read the Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid manuals that are provided on the website. Last month was pet first aid awareness, so the first step is becoming aware.
In addition to educating yourself on how to handle emergency pet situations, it’s also wise to create several pet first aid kits to have in your, in your car and for the pet sitter. So what should you put it in it?
- Leash/Muzzle
- Extra Food
- Bottled Water
- Latex Gloves
- Bach Rescue Remedy for Pets
- Sanitary Towelettes
- Tweezers
- Safety Scissors
- Gauze
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Eye Dropper
- Saline Eye Solution
- Lubricating Eye Drops
- Pet Thermometer
- Emergency Blanket/Fire Blanket
So if your pet gets scratched or has a splinter caught in its foot, you have everything you need to treat the problem. Also, with the blanket and rescue remedy, you can calm the animal down and make him/her feel safe. It’s important to keep in mind that the most docile animals can become easily agitated when injured.
Some other safety tips include keeping the numbers of your veterinarian and local animal hospital on speed dial and closely monitoring your pet when its outdoors. With mountain lions, coyotes and rabid raccoons wandering around, your pet could become seriously injured.
HART (1-800-HART)
(new PetLvr post ).. Brush Up on Pet First Aid http://bit.ly/cppaO2
HART (1-800-HART)
Brush Up on Pet First Aid http://su.pr/2dnDfN
RecycleCindy
Good post with useful information. We many times don’t think about first aid for our fur babies and it’s important to have at least a few basic first aid items in the event of an injury or medical situation. You might want to add a set of pliers to the list. They work well to pull out porcupine quills when you have to take them out yourself.
HART (1-800-HART)
Have you had an unfortunate incident with a porcupine Cindy? Good idea about having “giant tweezers” aka Pliers handy .. thanks for suggestion!
Of those 15+1 suggestions above .. I need to work on a better kit for my trunk this summer as we always go out to the cottage. I have 3 items only.
Marina Hanes
Brush Up on Pet First Aid: http://www.petlvr.com/blog/2010/05/brush-up-on-pet-first-aid/
Marina Hanes
Hi Cindy! Thanks for mentioning the pliers. Every area has different animals that you have to worry about harming your pet. I was just watching “Billy the Exterminator” a show on A&E, which is about this exterminating company in Louisiana…all I have to say is that I’m glad I don’t live there…there’s so many beautiful but potentially harmful critters!
mary beers
Brush Up on Pet First Aid — PetLvr Blog For Pet Lovers http://ping.fm/DmFxB