Pet first-aid kit: what to keep at home (and where)

Quick answer: Prepare suitable gauze, saline, basic tools, protective gloves, and emergency contacts with your veterinarian. Do not give human pain medicines or leftover prescriptions without veterinary instructions. Review the kit regularly and after use.

First aid is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. The right response depends on the injury, and a frightened or painful pet can bite. Call for advice rather than attempting a procedure you have not learned.

The phone numbers (the most important page)

• Your regular vet.
• A 24-hour emergency vet clinic.
• Pet Poison Helpline: 1-855-764-7661.
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 1-888-426-4435.
• A backup emergency contact for your pet.

Print this list. Keep it in the kit. Save the numbers in your phone too — for the bigger version, see pet poisoning emergency: what to tell the vet or hotline.

Wound and bleeding

• Sterile gauze pads (a few sizes).
• Self-adherent bandage only if your vet has taught you its use; excessive tension can impair circulation.
• Cotton balls.
• Only antiseptic products and concentrations your vet recommends for the intended use; keep them out of eyes unless specifically approved.
• Sterile saline for flushing wounds or eyes.
• Styptic powder for minor nail-tip bleeding only if recommended; do not use it in deep wounds.

Tools

• Blunt-tipped scissors.
• A suitable tick-removal tool; do not dig for deep splinters or embedded objects.
• A thermometer only if your vet has taught safe use. Do not delay urgent care to obtain a temperature.
• Small flashlight.
• Disposable gloves.
• Towel or blanket.
• A muzzle only when appropriate and you have learned to use it. Do not muzzle an animal that is vomiting, has breathing difficulty, or is overheated.

Other useful items

• Tick removal tool.
• Do not use hydrogen peroxide as a general wound cleaner or give it to induce vomiting on your own. Call the vet or poison service for instructions specific to the exposure.
• Eye-rinse saline.
• Ear-cleaning solution if your pet’s vet has recommended one.
• Spare leash.
• Notepad and pen.

Do NOT put in the kit

• Human OTC pain medications. Acetaminophen is potentially fatal in cats and dangerous in dogs. Ibuprofen and naproxen are dangerous in both species.
• Pepto-Bismol or similar. Contains salicylates that can be toxic, especially to cats.
• Aspirin. Different processing in dogs and cats; never without vet direction.
• Expired medicines: follow label and local disposal guidance or ask the clinic; do not simply leave them in accessible trash.
• Pet medications from a previous pet. Doses do not transfer.

Storage and refresh

• A small fabric pouch or plastic case fits everything.
• Keep in a kitchen drawer, near the leash, or in the go-bag.
• A smaller car kit if you travel or hike with pets.
• Review regularly and after use or changes to treatment; replace expired items promptly.
• Inventory check: anything expired, dried out, or used and not replaced.

When to use the kit vs. call the vet

• Even a small wound may need advice about cleaning and assessment. Punctures, bites, deep wounds, or worsening signs need prompt veterinary attention.
• For accessible external bleeding, apply steady pressure with clean gauze if safe and seek urgent veterinary advice. Do not remove embedded objects or improvise a tourniquet.
• New limping: limit activity and ask the vet how urgently to come in. Severe pain, trauma, or inability to bear weight should not wait 24 hours.
• Ingestion of anything questionable — call the poison hotline immediately.
• Difficulty breathing, seizures, collapse, severe vomiting, or anything you cannot identify — emergency vet now.

How Driyu can help

Medical Records and Cloud Vault have limited Free capacity for records and documents you enter; Pro expands it. Check your account for availability. Keep emergency numbers separately on your phone and in the kit; there is no dedicated all-in-one poison-hotline screen. See first-aid basics.