When you’re looking at puppies for sale, you already know that part of preparing your home for a new puppy will include puppy-proofing and gathering supplies that you’ll need. Because you want to raise a happy and healthy puppy, don’t forget about a first aid kit for puppies to have handy in emergencies!
Puppies tumble and bumble their way through their environment as they explore their new surroundings. It’s astounding how many ways a puppy can injure itself. If you sat down and made a list or asked puppy owners, we guarantee you there would be situations you never even considered! As pawrents ourselves of boisterous puppies, we all have tales of the wild ways our puppies gave themselves an injury.
As careful as we can be with our precious pets, and as much as we supervise our puppies, accidents beyond our control inevitably will happen. It only takes a second for something to go terribly wrong. You want to be able to tend to your puppy’s needs as soon as you can with proper first aid pet supplies on hand.
First aid kits for pets can be purchased online, but with some thought and ingenuity, you can build your own DIY dog first aid kit to be prepared for any minor emergencies.
Why You Need a Puppy First Aid Kit
Maintaining a puppy first aid kit is a huge component of being a responsible puppy owner. Some ailments can be treated at home, but others require emergency care right away. Regardless of the severity of the medical event, you’ll need to be prepared to keep your puppy safe and stable as possible.
Puppies are known to be curious and energetic, which often makes them prone to accidents. Quick action can save a puppy's life. In an emergency situation, the first few minutes are crucial for your puppy's survival. Having first aid equipment for dogs accessible can help you administer basic care to prevent infection or further injuries before you can get your dog to the vet. If you don’t have a well-stocked kit on hand, you are wasting precious moments while running around looking for supplies you might not even have.
How many puppy emergency kits will you need?
Having at least 3 puppy emergency kits where you can easily locate them is a great way to cover all bases. A travel kit, an emergency preparedness kit for disasters and evacuations, and a comprehensive first aid kit that stays in one place at your home are great options to keep your puppy safe.
Travel first aid kit for dogs when on the go
Puppies are quite high-energy, so it’s important to take them out and about once they have completed all rounds of core vaccinations for puppies. Exercise keeps their bodies and brains healthy and prevents further health complications. Socializing a puppy will allow him or her to become a well-mannered companion ready for any situation. Sometimes, accidents can occur when on adventures, such as a thorn in a paw or another minor mishap.
Keeping a travel first aid kit for dogs with just the basics, either in a backpack you carry or in your car, can help you be ready to treat minor incidents when you are away from home. You could also be ready to help other puppy owners as well when you are prepared.
Pet disaster emergency first aid kit
Unfortunate situations that cause unexpected evacuations such as a hurricane, tornado, or approaching wildfire can get your adrenaline pumping to protect your pup at all costs. When creating a pet disaster preparedness plan, you want to make sure you include a first aid kit for pets you can easily grab at a moment’s notice. Your puppy’s first aid kit for emergency preparedness should be kept with your supplies for people so you can take everything with you without searching around for items. You won’t have time to waste with immediate evacuations!
Household first aid kits for puppies
Your main household puppy medical kit will probably contain the most supplies since you will not need to be toting it around like the other 2 kits mentioned. You will want to keep your puppy first aid kit in a centrally located place in your home stored away from your puppy but easily accessible to the human caretakers in your household. Choose a cool, dry location away from any harsh chemicals that could spill. Make sure everyone taking care of your puppy knows where it is and what is in it!
What container should I use for my DIY puppy first aid kit?
Depending on the size and function of your first aid kit, all containers should be sturdy enough to withstand some wear and tear and close tightly while being accessible. Zippers, pockets, and smaller containers provide much-needed organization. Handles will help you move the kit to the location of the incident quickly and easily. Lunchboxes, cosmetic cases and bags, belt bags, small backpacks, and sturdy buckets with lids all make great choices for your DIY pet first aid kits.
What Items Do I Need in a Dog First Aid Kit?
You may wonder, “What medical supplies should be in my puppy first aid kit?” While this list may be extensive, and you might not need everything, we want to make sure we give you some ideas for what you would like to have on hand in your pet first aid kit so you are ready to follow instructions from your veterinarian, as you should always seek medical advice before using any of these items:
- Slip lead
- Soft muzzle
- Paper towels
- Saline solution
- Diphenhydramine
- Disposable gloves
- Chemical cold pack
- Rectal thermometer
- Flashlight or pen light
- Gauze or cotton balls
- Water-based lubricant
- Non-stick wound pads
- Old clean towels or rags
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Temporary stabilizing splint
- Sealable plastic bag for ticks
- Styptic powder or cornstarch
- Adhesive wrapping bandages
- Bandage scissors with dull blades
- Tourniquet for heavy bleeding injuries
- Collapsible bowl and a bottle of water
- Tweezers or a tick key for ticks or stingers
- Hibiclens (antibacterial and antimicrobial cleanser)
- Pet-safe cleaner for body fluids (vomit, urine, feces, and anal gland contents)
Pet information
You may have someone else caring for your puppy that will not have access to the information in your phone, which is why it’s important to have physical copies of current puppy information available.
Write down vet and emergency vet numbers, a paper map and directions to an emergency vet office, a picture of your dog, your contact information, a copy of proof of ownership, microchip number, the number to local shelters or lost pet resources online, and a list of current vaccinations and medication your puppy takes.
Replenish your stock
Make sure you replenish supplies right away and keep up with expiration dates. You don’t want empty, crusty, or expired supplies when you need them the most!
What Types of Puppy Emergencies Can I Treat at Home?
During a routine vet visit, ask your vet to discuss typical puppy medical incidents you can treat at home, such as what to do if you cut your puppy’s nails too short, minor scrapes and cuts, removing ticks, and more. Be sure to write down the instructions and supplies needed, and keep this information in your kit for easy reference.
When Should I Call or Go to a Veterinarian Right Away?
You may be wondering, “When should I call the veterinarian?” The honest answer is: Always! First aid is meant to be the first defense in handling an emergency. Triage is when you determine the urgency of the medical situation of your puppy to decide what to do next, and the next step after immediate treatment is to call your vet. For some occurrences you’ve discussed with your vet, home treatment is fine – until you can call to verify with your vet what the next step may be. They might ask you to come in to check over your DIY treatment, or they may tell you to get in the car immediately!
First aid is never a substitute for proper veterinary care, so always follow up with your veterinarian. Wounds can become infected easily, so using a first aid kit is intended to not cause more harm until you can get to a veterinarian. What you thought was a careful wrapping job can actually cut off the blood supply. The nick that seems small from nail trimmers or from clippers during DIY dog grooming sessions could go deeper than you realize. Always follow vet instructions for how to collect a tick until you can get it sent away.
It’s time to bypass your dog first aid kit and seek expert veterinarian attention immediately if your puppy experiences the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Car accident
- Foul smelling ears
- Bleeding profusely
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive vomiting
- Coughing up blood
- Lost consciousness
- Dental emergencies
- Suspected broken limb
- Abnormal discoloration
- Fight with another animal
- No urination or defecation
- Snake or other animal bite
- Confusion or disorientation
- Inability to walk or collapsing
- Suspected eye injuries or discharge
- Growth that keeps increasing in size
- Deep gashes, debris embedded in wounds
- Swelling, especially in the stomach area or in a wound
- Ingestion of known dangerous toxins for puppies such as prescription medications, plants, foods, batteries, socks, pieces of plastic, large rocks – anything you know does not belong inside a puppy
Just because you have a medical supply in your kit doesn’t mean you should use it without guidance. For example, only follow the guidelines your vet gives for if and when to administer diphenhydramine if your puppy has an allergic reaction to a bee sting or hydrogen peroxide to administer vomiting.
Remain Calm During Any Pet Emergency
Our pets rely on us for basic everyday care, and that doesn’t change during an emergency. You have to remain cool, calm, and collected to be able to assess the situation and determine the next steps. Likewise, you will need to be able to communicate clearly with both those around you and the veterinarian to describe the full situation coherently. You’ll need to have your wits about you to be able to drive to the emergency veterinarian if needed and provide comfort to your puppy.
In addition, your puppy can be confused and scared in a medical emergency. They don’t understand what’s going on and may be in a lot of pain, therefore acting differently or out of fear. Don’t take your puppy’s behavior personally and try to protect yourself from getting bitten or scratched when handling your puppy.
Make a Dog First Aid Kit for a Pawrade Puppy
Adding a furry friend to your household is an exciting time! Prepare for bringing home the puppy you reserve from our puppies for sale by putting together a basic first aid kit so you are ready from Day 1 for any minor emergency.
