Dog First Aid: Well Prepared for Small Emergencies with Your Dog

Dog First Aid: Close at Hand When It Matters

A cut paw on a walk, a tick after a run in the woods or a wound your dog shouldn't lick: small emergencies happen much faster than you might think. With a well stocked dog first aid kit, you have everything you need right at hand. It doesn't replace a visit to the vet, but it helps you look after your dog well until you get there and give first aid on the spot.

First Aid and Wound Care

A first aid bag bundles the essentials and fits in a rucksack or the car. It should include bandage scissors with a rounded tip and a self-adhesive bandage such as VetLastic, which stays in place without clips and is easy to apply. A zinc oxide skin protection spray cares for stressed areas of skin. With a waterproof thermometer with a flexible tip, you can quickly check whether your dog has a fever. To stop your dog licking a wound or dressing after treatment, there are protective collars in plastic or as a soft inflatable version.

Ticks, Insects and Everyday Helpers

Ticks are active from spring to autumn. With a tick remover, you take them out quickly and safely without squeezing them. A flea and tick collar and an insect repellent spray with a raspberry scent help keep pesky parasites at bay. For everyday life there are also season pants that keep furniture and floors clean while your female is in heat, and a deterrent spray that keeps your dog off the sofa or bed.

Frequently asked questions

What should a dog first aid kit contain?
The basics are dressings, a self-adhesive bandage, bandage scissors, a tick remover and a thermometer. Keep the phone numbers of your vet and the nearest emergency vet handy too. Only give medication after talking to your vet.

How do I remove a tick properly?
Place the tick remover as close to the skin as possible and pull the tick out slowly and straight, without squeezing its body. Oil or glue beforehand is not a good idea. Watch the spot for a few days afterwards, and if it turns red or your dog seems lethargic, see your vet.

How do I take my dog's temperature?
The most reliable way is rectally: lightly grease the tip, lift the tail and gently insert the thermometer. Normal is around 37.5 to 39 °C. If the reading is higher, take your dog to the vet.