First aid does not replace veterinary care, but knowing what to do in the first minutes can protect your pet and yourself until you reach help. The most important step is to recognize an emergency and get to a veterinarian quickly.
Go to a vet immediately if you see
- Difficulty breathing, blue or very pale gums
- Collapse, inability to stand, or unresponsiveness
- A seizure lasting more than a few minutes, or several seizures in a row
- A swollen, tight belly with unproductive retching, especially in large, deep-chested dogs, which can signal a twisted stomach (GDV)
- Straining to urinate with little or no urine, especially in male cats, which can signal a life-threatening blockage
- Suspected poisoning, even if your pet seems fine
- Heavy bleeding that does not stop within a few minutes of pressure
- Major trauma, such as being hit by a car or falling from a height, even without visible injuries
- Heatstroke signs in hot weather
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood, or in puppies, kittens and small pets
Before an emergency happens
- Save the numbers of your regular vet and the nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital in your phone, and know how to get there.
- Know your pet’s normal. Resting breathing rate, gum color and usual behavior make changes easier to spot.
- Keep a first-aid kit at home and in the car.
What to keep in a pet first-aid kit
- Gauze pads, a roll of gauze and self-adhesive bandage
- Adhesive tape and blunt-tipped scissors
- Saline solution for rinsing wounds and eyes
- A digital thermometer and lubricant
- A clean towel and a blanket (also useful as a stretcher)
- Disposable gloves
- A soft muzzle or a strip of cloth (for dogs), and a pillowcase or carrier for cats
- A flashlight, tweezers and a tick remover
- Your pet’s medical records and vaccination history
Avoid human medicines. Common painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) can be very dangerous to pets, especially cats.
Safe first steps
Protect yourself first. Pets in pain or fear may bite or scratch, even gentle ones. Approach calmly, and consider a soft muzzle for a dog, unless it is vomiting or struggling to breathe. Wrap cats in a towel.
Bleeding. Press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth or gauze and hold for several minutes without lifting to check. Add more layers if blood soaks through. Seek veterinary care.
Suspected poisoning. Remove your pet from the source and keep the packaging, plant or substance. Call your vet or an animal poison control service. Do not make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to; some substances do more damage coming back up, and some pets can inhale vomit.
Choking. If your pet is pawing at its mouth and struggling to breathe, look inside only if it is safe. Remove an object only if you can see it and grab it easily; do not push your fingers blindly down the throat. Go to a vet immediately.
Burns. Cool the area with cool running water for several minutes, then cover loosely with a clean, damp cloth and see a vet.
Seizures. Move objects away so your pet cannot injure itself, keep your hands away from its mouth and time the seizure. Keep the room quiet and dim, and contact a vet.
Moving an injured pet. Keep the spine as straight as possible. A board, a firm blanket held taut or a carrier can serve as a stretcher.
Afterwards
Even if your pet seems to recover, many injuries and poisonings cause delayed problems. A veterinary check is almost always worthwhile.
This guide is general information and not a substitute for veterinary advice. When in doubt, call your veterinarian.