In my previous post, Pet First Aid Kits – Part 1, I wrote about the importance of having a pet first aid kit for your dogs and cats. Ideally, if you have a dog, we recommend you have two kits; one kit for the house and a second kit in your car. If you do a lot of hiking with your dog, we recommend you carry your second kit with you on all hikes. Believe it or not the following contents will fit in a medium to large size fanny pack!

Even if you choose to buy a ready-made pet first aid kit, the following list will serve as a good guideline of what to look for in a kit. I encourage you to add to this list based on your particular needs. For example, if your dog has a medical condition requiring medication, you might want to consider adding their medication to your pet first aid kit.

Dressing & Bandages:
 1. Adhesive Tape (1” roll)
 2. Gauze Pads (3 or 4 inch square)
 3. Gauze Rolls (2 inch for small pets; 3 inch for big dogs)
 4. Triangular Bandages
Instruments:
 5. Digital Thermometer
 6. Scissors (blunt end)
 7. Tweezers
 8. Eye Dropper
 9. Syringe (for administering liquids)
Ointments, Disinfectants & Medications:
10. Antihistamine
11. Antibiotic (triple) i.e. Neospori
12. Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)
13. Vinegar or baking soda
14. Activated Charcoal
15. Petroleum Jelly
16. Kaopectate
Miscellaneous Equipment and Supplies:
17. Small Flashlight
18. Needle Nose Pliers
19. Q-tips
20. Betadine Solution
21. Razor Blades
22. Extra leash and collar
23. Muzzle
24. Plastic bags
25. Permanent Marking Pen
26. Photo of you and your pet
27. Towel or blanket
28. Disposable Gloves

So now you have bought your pet first aid kit. Congratulations! But, you are probably silently wondering what to do now. I hear it all the time…friends and family often tell me they would not know what to do if their dog or cat is injured. I do have a solution for you! Stay tuned for my next post!