Pet First Aid Guide
Select an emergency situation below for step-by-step first aid instructions. Save your vet's number for quick access.
Emergency Contacts
Add Your Vet / Emergency Vet
Pet First Aid Essentials
Knowing basic pet first aid can save your pet's life in an emergency. While these instructions provide immediate guidance, they are not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always contact your vet or emergency animal hospital as soon as possible.
Building a Pet First Aid Kit
Every pet owner should have a first aid kit ready. Keep it somewhere accessible and check it every 6 months to replace expired items.
- Gauze pads and rolls (for wrapping wounds)
- Non-stick bandages and adhesive tape
- Hydrogen peroxide 3% (to induce vomiting ONLY when directed by a vet)
- Digital thermometer (normal: dogs 101–102.5°F, cats 100.5–102.5°F)
- Disposable gloves
- Scissors and tweezers
- Saline solution (for flushing wounds or eyes)
- Antibiotic ointment (pet-safe)
- Styptic powder (for nail bleeding)
- Blanket and towel
- Your vet's phone number and nearest emergency vet address
CPR for Dogs and Cats
If your pet is not breathing and has no pulse: (1) Lay them on their right side on a flat surface. (2) For dogs, place hands over the widest part of the chest. For cats and small dogs, wrap one hand around the chest. (3) Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest at 100–120 compressions per minute. (4) Give 1 rescue breath for every 30 compressions by closing the mouth and breathing into the nose. (5) Check for pulse every 2 minutes. (6) Continue until the animal breathes on its own or you reach a vet.
When to Rush to the Emergency Vet
Go to the emergency vet immediately for: difficulty breathing, suspected poisoning, seizures lasting more than 3 minutes, hit by a car, severe bleeding that will not stop, suspected broken bones, bloated/distended abdomen, inability to urinate for more than 24 hours, or collapse/unconsciousness. Time is critical in emergencies, so keep your nearest emergency vet's address saved in your phone and know the fastest route. Many emergencies happen at night or on weekends when regular vets are closed, so locate a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital in advance.