Dog First Aid Kit: What to Have on Hand

Whenever you head out for a hike or load up for a road trip, it’s important to have a first aid kit on hand, right? The same goes for your dog. Our canine companions are always up for a great time, and it’s up to us to see that it’s a safe time too. 

To make sure you’re ready for any mishap that may happen during an adventure with your four-legged friend, always take a well stocked dog first aid kit along with you.

What to Bring

When putting together your kit, think about possible scenarios and include materials you’ll need in the case of each. For example, on a hike, your dog may cut themself, get a bee sting, or suffer a sprain. More urgently, they may ingest something toxic along the trail. 

With all of these in mind, your first aid kit should include:

• A muzzle or something that can act as one, like a long piece of cloth or rope
• A selection of gauze pads and rolls in varying sizes
• Sterile adhesive tape and scissors
• Tweezers
• Several antiseptic wipes
• Triangular bandages
• Saline wound and eye wash, eye dropper, or syringe with needle removed
• Instant cold compress
• Thermometer
• Flashlight
• Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting, if needed)
• Antihistamine, preferably gel caps with a safety pin to puncture them 

More Safety Steps

In addition to your first aid kit, there are several items that are also helpful to have on hand when you’re headed out and about for an adventure with your dog. 

Examples of useful safety products include:

• An LED lighted leash and/or collar to make your dog more visible during those outings that are just too fun to end when the sun goes down
• A night light that attaches to their collar so they are more easily seen by cars, other hikers, or fellow campers
• A car safety harness to keep your dog securely buckled during your best buddy road trips

Once your safety checklist is complete, the only thing left for you to do is to pack up, head out, and enjoy some quality time with your canine companion.