Building a First Aid Kit for Dogs
When you’re used to watching your dog tear around the yard like a wild animal, it’s easy to assume that they’re being careful.
After all, dogs are indestructible, right?
Wrong.
In fact, the more your dogs work, play, run, or jump around outside, the more likely they are to get dinged up at least a little bit.
“Little” being the operative word here.
Most common dog injuries can and should be treated at home. You wouldn’t rush to the emergency room for a scraped knee, right? The same logic applies to your doggos.
With that in mind, we decided to pull together a list of five absolute must-have k-9 first aid kit essentials.
And don’t forget: When you’re ready to start building your own dog first aid kit, shop the Murdoch’s selection of supplies,here , or in your local store.
Wound Care Spray or Ointment
This category of products is like the dog equivalent of your trusty tube of triple antibiotic ointment.
Was your dog running around like a hound possessed, and now has a thorn bush scratch on her leg? The first thing you should do is give the superficial wound a little cleaning.
Easiest way to do this on the fly is with a wound spray or ointment. Kind of like that tube of triple antibiotic we were talking about earlier.
Sprays like Vetericyn’s “The Traveler” Wound & Skin Care Spray fit nicely in your backpack, saddle bag, or carry-on.
Like a little more control in terms of applying wound cleaner? Try an ointment like Sulfodene 3-Way Ointment.
Regardless of your preference, spray or ointment, clean the wound with water if you can, and then spray or apply your favorite treatment directly onto the scrape or abrasion.
Preferably, finish the job by adequately covering the wound.
Pet Bandage Wrap
This stuff should be an irreplaceable staple in your dog’s first aid kit. Mostly because of its diversity of use.
In a pinch, pet bandage wrap can be used to control bleeding, hold sanitary gauze in place on top of a wound, or temporarily brace fractured bones. You can even use tape for a DIY muzzle if you really had to.
Try the NO CHEW Bandage Wrap from Andover. It’s super-tough construction contains bitterants that deter your dog from pulling at the bandage.
Pain Relief
Unlike cats, dogs don’t have a great poker face when it comes to pain. It’s pretty easy to spot hurting dog. They limp, wince, whine, and howl.
Once you’re done treating a dog suffering from a minor superficial wound, it’s nice to finish the job with some chewable doggy aspirin.
Keep a bottle at the bottom of your dog’s first aid kit. Aspirin products like Nutri-Vet’s Aspirin for dogs are chewable and flavored, so you won’t have to struggle getting your dog to take their medicine.
Eyes
In lieu of opposable thumbs and tactile hands, dogs explore the world with their whole heads. Everything they do, they lead into with their noggins.
So it should come as no surprise that dogs have ear and eye problems relatively frequently, especially when you consider the places they decide to stuff their heads into.
Eye irritations are a common dog ailment. If you notice that your dog is constantly trying to itch or scratch their eyes, try a quick dose of an antimicrobial ophthalmic gel or eye drop. For most common irritations, this should do the trick. But if it doesn’t, be sure to see a veterinarian right away.
We recommend products like Vetericyn’s Ophthalmic Gel Eye Drops, or Vet Worthy’s Canine Eye Wash solution.
…And Ears
Dog ears tend to get kind of nasty with or without exposure to irritants. So keeping some ear wipes or liquid ear wash handy is never a bad idea. Just like with an irritated eye, it’s pretty easy to spot a dog with irritated ears.
Or, more accurately, it’s pretty easy to hear a dog with irritated ears. The sound of a collar jingling, and dog ears flapping is a sure sign your pooch has some gunky ears going on.
Another good way to quickly ID some irritated dog ears is by their smell.
Luckily, products like NaturVet’s Ear Wash can be applied as often as necessary to dissolve ear wax, clean out foreign irritants, and leave your dog’s ears smelling like baby powder.
Plan Ahead
Remember, it’s one thing to gather the right supplies for a good dog first aid kit. It’s a whole other task entirely to make sure you have it handy when it’s most needed.
Get in the habit of keeping your dog first aid kid in the truck cab, saddle bags, or hiking pack.
If you wouldn’t want to go without first aid supplies, your dog doesn’t want to either.
