A first aid kit for your dog

Just like with people, there are everyday situations where your dog can get hurt unexpectedly, no matter how careful an owner you are. To make things easier when an accident happens, we've put together some tips on things you can buy and keep at home, so you're as prepared as possible. That gives you a small first aid kit for your dog, so you can help them quickly if they get injured.

Contact details for your vet

It's important to have a really good first aid kit for your dog at home, but for serious injuries it may not be enough. The very first thing we think you should do to prepare for a potential injury is to save your vet's contact details in your phone. As well as saving the number for the vet practice you normally visit, it's also important to save the number for a 24-hour clinic, so you can quickly call if your dog has a sudden injury or illness outside normal opening hours.

First aid kit for your dog

To help your dog quickly in the event of a serious injury, or to treat minor injuries at home, it's a good idea to either get a first aid kit designed for dogs or put your own together. We've put together a list of things we think are essential for a first aid kit for your dog.

Compresses

Sterile compresses are used for wound care. They can reduce the risk of infection by cleaning up weeping, bacterially colonised, and infected wounds.

Cotton wool, preferably on a roll

Cotton wool is used for wound care and bandaging. It provides shock and pressure protection under elastic bandages. Cotton wool also absorbs fluid from the wound.

Self-adhesive bandage

Self-adhesive bandages are used to secure dressings in place.

Saline solution

Saline solution can be used to rinse dirt from things like wounds or skin conditions, or to rinse eyes or ears. Saline solution doesn't sting when applied. You can buy ready-mixed saline solution from a pharmacy or make your own. The advantage of ready-mixed is that you can store it at home for a long time. Homemade saline shouldn't be stored for more than 24 hours.

Chlorhexidine solution

Chlorhexidine can be used for wound cleaning and disinfection. The solution kills or inhibits bacterial growth. Make sure to read the patient information leaflet before use.

It's important not to use just any disinfectant for wound cleaning on your dog, as some products designed for humans shouldn't be used on animals. Products containing octenidine — such as Octenisept wound disinfectant spray, and other antiseptics from the same brand — should never be used for wound care on your dog, as using them on deeper wounds can cause tissue damage. In the worst case, this can lead to necrosis, meaning the death of the affected tissue.

Rehydration solution for dogs

Just like us, dogs can suffer from fluid loss. If you exercise a lot with your dog, particularly on warmer days, your dog's fluid balance may need restoring. You can also give your dog rehydration solution if they've been ill or had diarrhoea, to help restore their body. Rehydration solution for dogs is available as a powder in sachets, either from your vet or from a pharmacy.

Buster collar

A buster collar reduces the risk of your dog biting, licking, or scratching at wounds or injuries.

Thermometer

A dog's normal temperature is around 38–39°C, and you take the temperature rectally.

Plasters for your dog

Your dog can get injured too, so it makes sense to have plasters at home for them as well.