April is National Pet First Aid Awareness month. Most families have a First aid kit in their home or vehicle but not usually a pet first aid kit. It is important to remember that if your family has a pet, having a pet first aid kit at home and in your vehicle when traveling is vital. Be prepared for any type of pet emergency by keeping a first aid kit readily available.
You can purchase a ready made Pet First Aid kit or you can build your own first aid kit, one for the home and one for your car. Either way, it is important to be prepared for anything that may leave your pet injured and remember, an injured or frightened animal may get agitated and bite when you try to help. Having a properly fitted muzzle is a must. First aid kits for pets should have the following:
Pet First Aid checklist
- Tick Remover
- Latex Gloves
- Emergency Blanket
- Non Adhesive Dressing
- Adhesive Tape
- Saline Eye Wash
- Ice Pack
- Styptic Powder
- Antiseptic
- Digital Thermometer
- Skunk Odor Remover
- Tourniquet
- Emergency ID Tag
- Slip Lead/Leash
- Emergency Food & Water
- Portable Food & Water Bowl
- Liquid Bandage
- Blunt tip Scissors
- Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
- Soft Basket Muzzle-Properly Sized
Many of these items can be found in your local drug store and in your local pet store. In addition to having an emergency first aid kit every pet owner should know how to perform CPR. Many local pet stores offer CPR classes. The time invested in a class could pay dividends later if an emergency should arise.