Best Dog First Aid Kit Reviews and Recommendations

Despite our very best efforts to keep our pets safe, accidents sadly do happen. Often enough, thank goodness, the consequences are mild and can be dealt with effectively at home. For this reason, it’s a good idea for owners to be properly prepared to deal with injuries and equipped with a fully stocked dog first aid kit.

There are multiple kits out there designed for different purposes, and selecting the right one for you is no easy feat. Here we review the very best dog first aid kits recommended by other Doodle owners. So, whether you’re looking for something you can have in the house or that you can pop in the car and take with you, we’ve got you covered.

Table of Contents

• Dog First Aid Kit Buying Guide
  • Equipment and Supplies
  • Size and Portability
  • Organization
• Best Dog First Aid Kits: Reviews
  • Best for the Car
  • Best Multipurpose
  • Best for Trips
• Are Human First Aid Kits Dog-Friendly?
• Checklist for Building Your Own Dog First Aid/Emergency Kit
• Frequently Asked Questions About the Dog First Aid Kit

Dog First Aid Kit Buying Guide

The variety of first aid kits available these days makes it that much easier for you to find the perfect one to meet your needs. In narrowing down your selection, there are a few key considerations.

Equipment and Supplies

Obviously, the most crucial part of any first aid kit is the equipment and supplies. High-quality bandages, plasters, and more are a must. The good news is that these are not generally hard to find. Look for a kit equipped to deal with cuts, scratches, splinters, insect bites, and ticks. These are the most common issues you will encounter.

Picking a kit that has a good amount of more frequently used items, such as doggy band-aids, means that you are unlikely to be caught without if your pet injures themselves. However, something that you are taking out on a quick walk or trip to the park won’t require quite so many supplies as a kit you keep at home.

Size and Portability

The size and portability of the kit is another thing you will need to think carefully about. If you are simply looking for something to have in the house, then the kit’s case and weight are not going to be as important as what’s inside. However, if you are going to be taking it out and about, then you will need to consider how well the kit is suited to this.

Some kits have been designed to attach to your pooch’s leash or harness, meaning that you can always have it on hand while out on a walk. However, if you get one of these, you need to ensure that it is water-resistant and tough enough to withstand wear and tear. You will also need to keep supplies light, so the pack isn’t too heavy or cumbersome for your pup.

Organization

Organization also matters. When dealing with an emergency situation and a reluctant, squirming dog, being able to quickly get your hands on what you need is vital. A disorganized bag wastes time and is a major hindrance. Look for something that is easy to access and has separate storage compartments for the different supplies.

Best Dog First Aid Kits: Reviews

Best for the Car

Contents:

• 1x parachute cord
• 1 x first aid guide
• 4 x sting relief pads
• 1 x tweezers (Plastic)
• 1 x tape role
• 1 x crepe bandage – 2″
• 10 x cotton swabs
• 4 x tongue depressors
• 4 x antiseptic towelettes
• 1 x instant cold pack
• 2x disposable rubber gloves
• 3 x gauze pads – 4″ x 4″
• 3 x gauze pads – 2″ x 2″
• 1 x gauze roll – 2″
• 1 x trauma pad – 5″ x 9″
• 4 x alcohol prep pads
• 1 x thermal foil emergency blanket
• 1 x scissors
• 4 x iodine prep pads
• 1 x bottle opener

Perfect for every adventure, this travel-friendly pet first aid kit can be tucked away in your glove compartment or backpack. So, just like any good scout, you are always prepared. The pack, which opens fully out, has three mesh compartments containing various bandages, swabs, gauze pads, and other items for dealing with an assortment of canine injuries. They have even included a handy bottle opener in case you find yourself stuck without a way into your drink.

Pet parents appreciate the quality of this useful product as well as how easy it is to tuck into a travel bag. The kit contains a first aid book with careful instructions on how to deal with everyday problems. Owners seem to agree that this is a very complete first aid pack and they feel reassured having it on hand.

Best Multipurpose

Contents:

• 2 x conforming gauze rolls – M
• 1 x high elastic bandage
• 1 x self adhesive bandage
• 2 x small and medium gauze dressing pads
• 10 x plaster bandages – various sizes
• 2 x adhesive patch – 7cm and 10cm
• 2 x exam gloves
• 1 x first aid tape – 2.5cm
• 1 x triangle bandage
• 1 x metal tweezers
• 1 x scissors – 12.5cm
• 1 x ice pack
• 1 x saline solution
• 1 x thermal foil emergency blanket – 82″ x 52″
• 1 x unique tick remover
• 8 x antiseptic wipes
• 1 x wooden tongue depressor
• 1 x disposable plastic syringe
• 1 x flashing orange LED collar
• 1 x collapsible water bowl
• 1 x tick remover
• 3 x settings with a writeable tag for pet name or owner info
• 5 x saline solution styptic pencils – 5 grams

Excellently designed for ease of accessibility, this comprehensive kit comes equipped with a whole host of handy gadgets along with regular medical supplies. Housed in a strong but soft nylon carry case, it has a styptic pen used for controlling bleeding, as well as a flashing LED collar with three different settings and a writable tag for owner information.

Those who purchase the pack are impressed with what they receive, which is often much far more than expected. They find extremely good value for the money. Many of them also love the light-up collar, which makes it so very easy to track your pet in the dark – invaluable in an emergency situation.

Best for Trips

Contents:

• 5 x easy access bandages – 1″ x 3″ fabric
• 2 x easy access bandages – knuckle fabric
• 3 x butterfly closure fabric adhesive bandage
• 2 x sterile gauze dressing – 3″ x 3″ (Pkg./2)
• 2 x sterile non-adherent dressing – 2″ x 3″
• 1 x conforming gauze bandage – 2″
• 1 x tape – 1″ x 10 yards
• 1 x elastic bandage self-adhering – 2″
• 1 x irrigation syringe – 10cc. with 18 gauge tip
• 1 x saline wound & eye wash
• 1 x nitrile glove
• 3 x triple antibiotic ointment
• 6 x antiseptic wipes
• 1 x moleskin – pre-cut & shaped (14 pieces)
• 2 x alcohol swabs
• 1 x triangular bandage
• 1 x instant cold compress
• 3 x safety pins
• 1 x Wilderness & Travel Medicine: A Comprehensive Guide – by Eric A. Weiss
• M.D.
• 1 x pet first aid manual
• 1 x EMT Shears – 4″
• 1 x splinter picker / tick remover forceps
• 1 x leash – 5″ nylon
• 1 x hydrogen peroxide 3% – 1 oz.
• 1 x emergency blanket
• 2 x aspirin – 325 mg. (Pkg./2)
• 2 x antihistamine (Pkg./1)

This unique 2-in-1 first aid kit offers the best of both worlds. Not only does it include essential items for taking care of a sick or injured dog, but it has supplies for you, too. Moreover, it contains two excellent guides for dealing with injuries in the great outdoors. With this kit, you can confidently head off on your trip knowing that you’re covered.

Adventure-loving owners are truly impressed with this kit, stating that it contains outdoor essentials that other kits do not. The general consensus is that it is well put together, with the supplies coming nicely and safely packed inside two separate dryflex ziplock baggies for extra protection.

Are Human First Aid Kits Dog-Friendly?

A human first aid kit is better than nothing, but dogs have different needs. While there may be some overlap, a canine kit will contain specialist items that are not only designed to deal with the type of injuries dogs might face, but equipment suited to helping you care for an agitated pup.

Also, the medical supplies in such a kit are likely to be more pet-friendly, meaning the ingredients of ointments are safe to use on them, and the various bandages are toxin-free in case your pal decides to chew them off and gobble them up.

Checklist for Building Your Own Dog First Aid/Emergency Kit

Pre-assembled kits are incredibly convenient. They are often designed by veterinarians and have room for added extras. However, if you have very specific requirements, you might consider assembling your own. You are going to need to do a little research, though, to make sure it contains all the right things.

Suppose you are looking to put together a kit that you can take with you on outings. In that case, you will need a portable, weather-proof bag to keep your gear in that has various compartments that allow you to keep it organized. Then, according to experts over at the American Kennel Club, this is what you should be filling it with:

• Gauze pads
• Non-stick bandages
• Adhesive wrapping tape
• Cotton balls or antiseptic wipes
• Antibiotic spray or cream
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Milk of Magnesia
• Tweezers
• Thermometer
• Scissors
• Magnifying glass
• Syringes
• Disposable gloves
• Dog restraining muzzle or triangular bandage
• Leash and collar
• Travel bowels
• Pet medication
• Canine first aid guide

Frequently Asked Questions About the Dog First Aid Kit

---

Keeping your pup safe in and out of the home should be one of your top priorities. A properly stocked canine first aid kit can ensure that you are able to deal with any minor injuries that occur either inside or outside the house. In picking the perfect one, ensure it not only has everything you are likely to need but that it is also suitable for how you will be using it. That way, you can have absolute peace of mind wherever you and your dog venture to.