Outdoor Adventure Essentials: Packing the Perfect Pet First Aid Kit for Hikes and Road Trips
Whether you’re hiking a local trail or packing up for a long road trip, it’s important to remember a first-aid kit for your furry companions. This summer, we can help you gather road trip pet essentials and stock up on must-have pet supplies that make getting out with your pet simple, safe, and fun.
The Necessities
A pet first-aid kit should have specific items to handle minor injuries, as well as supplies intended to support them while en route to the nearest emergency veterinarian. These items are considered must-have pet supplies:
- Gloves
- VetWrap (self-adhering bandage roll)
- Medical tape
- Sterile gauze pads and rolls
- Antiseptic wipes and ointment
- Irrigation syringe
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Styptic powder
- Antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream for allergic reactions
- Digital thermometer
- Blanket or towel
- Cooling vest or bandana
Dog First Aid
It may be worthwhile to brush up on dog first-aid skills with the Red Cross. Being able to recognize the signs of injury or distress is critical to pet safety, but because the symptoms may not always be immediate or obvious, you should also keep an eye on their appearance and behavior.
Minor issues can benefit from supplies in your pet first-aid kit, but these symptoms should lead to seeking immediate veterinary care:
- Ongoing vomiting or diarrhea
- Confusion or restlessness
- Limping or favoring a certain body part
- Reluctance to love or keep up
- Uncharacteristic drooling
Small cuts or scrapes, insect bites, or other minor injuries should be tended to promptly with supplies from your pet first-aid kit. The following symptoms signal the need for emergency veterinary care:
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- Fracture or dislocation
- Breathing difficulties
- Choking
- Severe, uncontrollable bleeding
- Snake bites
- Poisoning
- Severe pain
Depending on the weather, heat stroke and hypothermia can also be common problems in adventurous pets. Always be on the lookout for symptoms of heat stroke and hypothermia.
Preparedness Is The Key
Familiarizing yourself with the supplies in your pet first-aid kit is a great starting point for any trip away from home.
Enjoying adventures together strengthens the bond between you and your pet. If you have questions about pet travel safety, please give us a call at (865) 609‑0311.