Building a pet first-aid kit

A small kit and a little know-how turn a scary moment into a manageable one. Here's what to keep and where.

The basics

• Gauze pads and a roll of self-cling bandage (vet wrap)
• Non-stick pads and adhesive tape
• Blunt-tipped scissors and tweezers
• A digital thermometer (a dog's normal is ~99.5°–102.5°F)
• Saline eye/wound rinse
• A clean towel and a spare leash
• A muzzle or a soft strip of fabric — even the gentlest dog may bite when in pain
• Disposable gloves and a tick remover
• Your vet, ER clinic, and poison-hotline numbers on a card

Good to add

• A pet-safe wound cleanser (chlorhexidine)
• A blanket for warmth or as a stretcher
• A copy of your dog's records and current medications

What NOT to add

Human pain medicine. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are toxic to dogs — never give them.

Do this now

Build a kit this week and keep a smaller version in the car. Then save your three emergency numbers where you can find them fast.

General guidance — a first-aid kit stabilizes; it doesn't replace a vet visit.