Key takeaways
- First aid is only what you do until you reach the vet — it is not a substitute for veterinary care.
- Keep a kit at home and one in the car, plus your vet and emergency numbers.
- Direct pressure is the first step for bleeding.
- Never give human pain medication — ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen can be toxic.
This guide is for basic first aid to stabilize your dog until you can get veterinary help. It is not a replacement for professional care. Always call your vet or emergency clinic for advice.
What to put in a dog first aid kit
Contacts and documents
- Vet and 24-hour emergency hospital phone numbers and addresses
- Pet poison hotline number
- Copy of vaccination records and medications list
Supplies
- Gauze pads and gauze rolls
- Non-stick bandage pads
- Self-adhesive bandage wrap (vet wrap)
- Adhesive medical tape
- Blunt-tipped scissors
- Tweezers and a tick removal tool
- Sterile saline solution (for flushing wounds and eyes)
- Dilute chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine antiseptic solution (ask your vet)
- Digital thermometer and lubricant
- Disposable gloves
- Instant cold pack
- A towel or blanket (and an emergency foil blanket)
- A soft muzzle (or a strip of gauze to make one)
- A spare leash and collar
- Styptic powder (for bleeding nails)
- Syringe (for flushing wounds or giving water)
- Cone (Elizabethan collar)
Ask your vet before adding any medications. Some owners keep 3% hydrogen peroxide, but only use it to induce vomiting if a vet or poison hotline tells you to.
Know your dog's normal
| Measure | Typical normal range |
|---|---|
| Temperature (rectal) | About 101–102.5 °F (38.3–39.2 °C) |
| Resting breathing rate | About 10–30 breaths per minute |
| Heart rate | About 60–140 beats per minute (smaller dogs faster) |
| Gums | Moist and pink; color returns within 2 seconds after pressing |
Basic first aid steps
Bleeding
- Apply firm, direct pressure with a clean gauze pad or cloth for at least 5 minutes.
- If blood soaks through, add more layers on top — don't remove the first.
- Wrap to hold the pad in place, not too tight (you should fit a finger under it).
- Go to the vet. For bleeding nails, styptic powder or cornstarch can help.
Cuts and scrapes
Flush with saline or clean water, cover lightly and see your vet — especially for deep wounds, bites or cuts longer than about half an inch. Bite wounds often need antibiotics even if they look small.
Heatstroke
Move to shade, cool with cool (not ice-cold) water and a fan, and go to the vet immediately. See emergency symptoms.
Choking
If your dog is pawing at its mouth, gagging or struggling to breathe:
- Carefully look in the mouth. If you can see an object and remove it easily, do so — be careful not to push it deeper or get bitten.
- If you can't, and the dog is struggling to breathe, perform a dog-modified Heimlich maneuver (firm thrusts just behind the ribcage) — ideally learn this in a pet first aid course.
- Go to the vet immediately, even if the object comes out.
Bee stings and insect bites
Scrape out a visible stinger with a card, apply a cold pack. Facial swelling, hives, vomiting or breathing difficulty — go to the vet immediately. Ask your vet in advance whether an antihistamine is appropriate and at what dose.
Burns
Cool with cool running water for several minutes, cover loosely with a clean damp cloth and see your vet.
Eye injuries
Don't try to remove objects stuck in the eye. Flush gently with saline for irritants. Prevent rubbing and go to the vet.
Suspected fracture
Keep your dog as still as possible, support the injured area and transport on a flat surface. Don't try to set the bone.
Take a pet first aid course
The Red Cross and many local organizations offer pet first aid and CPR classes (in person or online). An hour of training makes a real difference in a crisis.
Important: This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different — always talk to your veterinarian about your own dog's health, diet and treatment. In an emergency, contact your vet or nearest emergency animal hospital immediately.
