pet first aid and urgent care

Some of the most common include human medications (prescription and over the counter), rodenticides, and foods like grapes, onions, and chocolate.

Please don’t! While this is a great choice for human skin, dogs are quite furry, which makes the whole sticking-close-to-the-skin part an issue. Use gauze and/or a non-adhesive wrap bandage instead.

Basic first aid can help you contain injuries and prevent your panicked pet from doing more damage to themselves on the way to emergency veterinary care. You can help your pet by staying calm and taking quick action. Focus on gentle words and movements, get to a safe place, and safely restrain your pet (to avoid bites from a scared pet).

The goal of first aid for dogs is to help you get them to more intensive care. That means taking extra steps to keep both you and your pet safe.

Sick, hurt, or frightened animals may strike out even at people they love. For dogs, we recommend using nonadhesive materials like gauze, strips of T-shirt, or even neckties as a muzzle to help prevent bites.

You’ll also need specific materials to help you apply pressure and bind up wounds. Make sure you have an extra leash or harness on hand to help keep your pet still. A blanket or a beach towel in your kit can help you carry your pet to a safe area.

Call your local emergency veterinary hospital to alert them of your pet’s issue. They can guide you with time-urgent first aid depending on the details of the situation.

The goal of first aid for cats is to help you get them to more intensive care. That means taking extra steps to keep both you and your pet safe.

Sick, hurt, or frightened animals may strike out even at people they love. For cats, you may need to swaddle or contain them in a blanket or towel to prevent further injury.

You’ll also need specific materials to help you apply pressure and bind up wounds. Make sure you have an extra leash or harness on hand to help keep your pet still. A blanket or a beach towel in your kit can help you carry your pet to a safe area.

• Stay calm
• Apply pressure with cloth/towels for at least three minutes to stop any bleeding
• Add more cloth/towels if bleeding through
• Do not remove materials used to stop bleeding
• Wrap the wound if possible
• Seek emergency veterinary care

Having first aid materials on hand can help you focus on safely getting your pet the help they need. This should include nonstick bandages, rolled gauze, stretchy athletic bandages, bandage tape, scissors, a large towel or blanket, and extra leash or harness.

• Contact information for your vet
• Contact information for your local emergency veterinary hospital 
• Clean nonstick bandages, towels, or strips of cloth
• Rolled gauze
• Bandage tape
• Saline solution
• Sterile lubricant
• Styptic powder
• Digital thermometer
• Large towel or blanket
• Leash and harness
• Scissors
• Muzzle
• Bottle of water

• Contact information for your vet
• Contact information for your local emergency veterinary hospital
• Clean nonstick bandages, towels, or strips of cloth
• Rolled gauze
• Bandage tape
• Saline solution
• Sterile lubricant
• Styptic powder
• Digital thermometer
• Large towel or blanket
• Leash and harness
• Scissors
• Muzzle
• Bottle of water

No, we don't recommend using antibiotic ointment on cats. Some ointments may contain ingredients that have caused allergic reactions. Your veterinarian will have safe suggestions to help your cat.