Pet First Aid Basics Every Owner Should Know

We don't sell pet kit, insurance or veterinary advice - we make cards, pin badges and prints in the UK. This is a plain guide, plus the card that goes with the occasion.

None of this replaces a vet. If an animal is in trouble, phone your vet or the out-of-hours emergency service first and follow what they tell you.

First aid for a pet is not treatment. It is the short window between something going wrong and a professional taking over, and the aim is simply to keep the animal safe, calm and no worse off.

Two things save most of that window: a kit you can find in the dark, and your vet's out-of-hours number saved in your phone before you ever need it.

What to keep in a pet first aid kit

• Sterile gauze pads and a roll of self-adhesive bandage, which sticks to itself rather than to fur.
• Blunt-ended scissors, tweezers and a tick remover, kept together so you are not hunting through drawers.
• Saline pods for flushing eyes and grit out of wounds, plus a clean towel that doubles as a stretcher or a wrap.
• Your vet's number, the out-of-hours number and your pet's microchip and insurance details on a card in the lid.

Cuts, bleeding and torn pads

• Press a clean pad firmly over the wound for several minutes without lifting it to peek - lifting restarts the bleeding.
• Flush grit out with saline or clean water, never with antiseptic meant for people.
• Bandage over the pad, firm but not tight enough to change the colour of the toes, and ring the vet.
• Deep wounds, bites and anything bleeding heavily after five minutes of pressure need a vet the same hour.

Choking, heatstroke and poisoning

• Choking: look in the mouth only if it is safe, sweep out anything you can clearly see, and never push blindly with your fingers.
• Heatstroke: move into shade, wet the coat with cool - not ice-cold - water, offer small sips, and go to the vet even if they perk up.
• Poisoning: take the packet with you, never make the animal vomit unless a vet tells you to, and ring the Animal PoisonLine or your vet straight away.
• Common UK culprits: chocolate, grapes and raisins, xylitol, antifreeze, lilies for cats and slug pellets.

Shock, and getting there safely

• A pet in shock is cold, quiet and pale in the gums - wrap them, keep them still and go, rather than trying to treat it at home.
• Frightened animals bite people they love, so use a towel for a cat and a soft lead loop for a dog if you need to move them.
• Phone ahead so the practice is ready when you arrive, and say what happened in one line.
• Book a proper pet first aid course if you can - a couple of hours in person beats anything you read online.

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How to write it so it lands

• Save the out-of-hours vet number in your phone today.
• One box, one lid, all the numbers inside it.
• First aid buys time - it never replaces the vet.

Where to shop next

• How to choose a pet
• Pet-friendly travel
• New pet gift ideas
• Safe treats to give as a pet gift
• Pet gifts to avoid
• Pet gift ideas
• Pet guides
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges

Frequently asked questions

What should be in a pet first aid kit?

Sterile gauze, a self-adhesive bandage, blunt scissors, tweezers, a tick remover, saline, a clean towel and your vet's numbers. Keep it in one box you can grab in a hurry.

Can I give my dog human painkillers?

No. Paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin are dangerous for dogs and cats. Ring the vet instead of reaching for the medicine cupboard.

What do I do if my pet eats something toxic?

Phone your vet or the Animal PoisonLine immediately with the packaging to hand. Do not try to make them sick unless a vet tells you to.

When is it an emergency?

Breathing trouble, collapse, non-stop bleeding, a suspected poisoning, a road accident, bloating with retching, or straining to urinate. All of those are same-hour vet visits.