Pet First Aid Basics: Essential Skills for Every Pet Owner

Emergencies don't wait for convenient times. Knowing basic pet first aid can help stabilise your pet, reduce suffering, and potentially save their life while you get them to professional veterinary care. This guide covers essential skills every pet owner should know.

Building a Pet First Aid Kit

Every pet owner should have a first aid kit readily available. Store it in an accessible location and check it periodically to replace expired items. Your kit should include:

Essential supplies include sterile gauze pads and rolls for wound dressing, adhesive tape (preferably medical tape that won't stick to fur), blunt-ended scissors for cutting bandages and trimming fur around wounds, tweezers for removing splinters or ticks, a digital thermometer (rectal thermometers are most accurate for pets), and a muzzle or soft fabric strips (even gentle pets may bite when in pain).

Additional useful items include hydrogen peroxide (3%) for inducing vomiting only when directed by a vet or poison control, saline solution for flushing wounds or eyes, an emergency blanket for warmth and shock prevention, a torch for examining mouth, ears, and wounds, disposable gloves, and your veterinarian's contact information along with the nearest emergency animal hospital details.

Handling an Injured Pet

Before providing first aid, you must safely approach and handle your injured pet. Even the most docile pet may bite or scratch when frightened or in pain. Approach calmly and speak in a soothing voice. Move slowly and avoid sudden movements that might startle them.

For dogs, consider using a muzzle if there's any risk of biting. If you don't have a muzzle, you can create an emergency muzzle from a soft fabric strip, gauze roll, or even a leash. Wrap it around the muzzle, cross it under the jaw, and tie it behind the ears. Never muzzle a dog that is vomiting, having difficulty breathing, or has a mouth injury.

For cats, wrapping them in a towel or blanket can help restrain them safely and reduce stress. This "kitty burrito" technique protects both you and the cat while allowing access to the injured area.

Controlling Bleeding

Minor wounds may stop bleeding on their own, but significant bleeding requires intervention. Apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth, gauze pad, or even your hand if nothing else is available. Maintain steady pressure for at least five minutes without lifting to check, as this disrupts clot formation.

If blood soaks through the first layer, add more material on top rather than removing the original dressing. Removing the blood-soaked material can disturb forming clots. For limb wounds, you can wrap a bandage firmly around the dressing to maintain pressure, but not so tight that it cuts off circulation. Check for swelling and cold extremities below the bandage.

Choking

Signs of choking include pawing at the mouth, difficulty breathing, blue-tinged gums, gagging, or unconsciousness. If your pet is choking, try to remain calm and act quickly but carefully.

First, open their mouth and look for any visible obstruction. If you can see the object, try to remove it with your fingers or tweezers, being careful not to push it further down. If you cannot see or remove the object, you can try the Heimlich manoeuvre for pets.

For small dogs and cats, hold them with their spine against your chest and place your hands just below the rib cage. Give quick, firm compressions inward and upward. For larger dogs, place them on their side, put your hands below the rib cage, and push inward and upward. Check the mouth after each attempt and remove any dislodged objects.

Burns

Burns can result from heat, chemicals, or electrical sources. For thermal burns, immediately flush the area with cool (not cold) water for at least 10 minutes. Do not apply ice, butter, or any ointments. Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing and seek veterinary care.

Chemical burns require flushing with large amounts of water for at least 20 minutes. Wear gloves to protect yourself and try to identify the chemical if possible. Electrical burns may cause internal injuries not visible externally, so always seek veterinary evaluation after any electrical accident.

Heatstroke

Australian summers pose a real risk of heatstroke, especially for brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs like Bulldogs and Pugs), thick-coated breeds, and overweight pets. Signs include excessive panting, drooling, bright red gums, vomiting, diarrhoea, staggering, and collapse.

Move your pet to a cool area immediately. Apply cool (not cold) water to their fur, focusing on areas with less fur like the belly, inner thighs, and paw pads. Offer small amounts of cool water but don't force them to drink. Use a fan to increase evaporative cooling. Get them to a vet immediately, as heatstroke can cause organ damage even after the body temperature is lowered.

Poisoning

If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Centre (1300 869 738) immediately. Have the packaging or substance name ready if possible. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to do so, as some substances cause more damage coming back up.