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First Aid At Home for Pets

  • urgentpawsvetclini
  • Jul 7
  • 6 min read

Remember to keep yourself safe first - pets can act unpredictably or may bite, scratch or move unexpectedly when they are in pain. Even very calm or gentle pets may bite or cause injury out of pain. If your pet is not allowing you to touch, treat or examine them, it can indicate significant pain and it is best they see a veterinarian.


Insect Bites or Stings


If your pet has been stung, if they allow you, inspect the area for any evidence of a stinger.  If one can be seen, carefully use tweezers or a credit card to scrape or pull the stinger out.  Then a thin paste of baking soda and water can be applied - this may help reduce the sting.  Next, an icepack wrapped in a cloth, or cold compress can be placed on the area for 10 minutes.  


Make sure to monitor for an allergic reaction.  Signs of an allergic reaction in pets include hives/urticaria (raised red bumps on the skin), generalized itching, sometimes facial swelling, shortness of breath, vomiting or diarrhea.   If vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, collapse occurs your pet should be seen by a veterinarians immediately.


Poison or Toxin Exposure or Injections


Most toxins or poisons that would affect people will also affect our pets - things like anti-freeze, rodent poison, cleaning products, or overdoses of medications. However, there are some medications, foods, plants etc that are perfectly safe for humans but can be very serious or deadly to our pets! 

Check the label

If your pet's skin or eyes are exposed to a toxic product (such as many cleaning products), check the product label for the instructions for people exposed to the product.

  • If the label instructs you to wash your hands with soap and water if you're exposed, then wash your pet's skin with soap and water (don't get any into their eyes, mouth, or nose).

  • If the label tells you to flush the skin or eyes with water, do this for your pet as soon as possible (if you can do it safely), and immediately call a veterinarian.

Call the experts

If you know your pet has swallowed or had contact with something that may be harmful, or if the animal is having seizures, losing consciousness, unconscious, or having difficulty breathing, call your veterinarian, emergency veterinary clinic, the Animal Poison Control Center hotline (888-426-4435), or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately. A consultation fee may apply for hotline/helpline calls.

If possible, have the following information available:

  • Species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved

  • Symptoms

  • Name/description of the substance in question; amount the animal was exposed to; and how long it's been since your pet ate it or was exposed to it

  • Product container/packaging


Collect any material your pet may have vomited or chewed, and place it in a plastic sealable bag to take with you when you bring your animal in for veterinary treatment.


For more specific information about common household hazards:



If your pet is injured, bleeding, or bitten


External Wounds


Use a clean cloth or towel to apply firm pressure directly over the bleeding site.

  • Avoid checking to see if the bleeding has stopped until you’ve applied pressure for at least three minutes.

  • If the bleeding is severe, immediately take your pet to the closest veterinary hospital. If you see blood soaking through the applied towel/cloth, do not remove it. Instead, add towels on top of previous layers to avoid disturbing any blood clots that might have formed.


Minor Cuts, Scrapes or Bruises


Some small cuts or scrapes can be managed at home.  Remember, if your pet is not allowing you to touch the area, please see your veterinarian.  


For a small cut or scrape, first gently clean using clean water and a clean gauze or clean cloth. Gently flushing with luke warm water, such as using a low pressure sink or hose could be done with tolerant pets.  Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel or fresh gauze swab. A small amount of vaseline can be placed over the area.  Do not allow your pet to scratch, lick or chew at the area as this greatly increases the risk of infection, and can cause further damage. Use bandages, wraps or a cone to prevent your pet from accessing the area.


Treating the wound should be done daily until healed.  Monitor closely for signs of infection such as redness, discharge, pain, heat, swelling - if these occur, please see your veterinarian.  


For bruises, an icepack wrapped in a cloth or cold compress can be applied to the area for 10 minutes 2 to 3 times a day for the first 2 days.


Burns


  • Flush the burn with room temperature water. This process may be painful so take appropriate precautions, such as applying a muzzle, to avoid being scratched, bitten, or otherwise injured.

  • Cover the burned area with towels dampened with room temperature water.

  • Seek immediate veterinary care.


Eye Injuries


  • Flush the burn with room temperature water. This process may be painful so take appropriate precautions, such as applying a muzzle, to avoid being scratched, bitten, or otherwise injured.

  • Cover the burned area with towels dampened with room temperature water.

  • Seek immediate veterinary care.


Heatstroke


Signs of heatstroke include rapid breathing/heavy panting, excessive drooling, weakness or drowsiness, confusion, vomiting or diarrhea, and abnormally colored, dry or sticky gums.

  • Take your pet to the closest veterinary hospital as soon as possible, and begin cooling them right away.

  • If your pet is in direct sunlight, move them to a shaded area or comfortably cool indoor environment.

  • Place towels wetted with room-temperature water gently around your pet’s neck, in the armpits, and in the groin area. Rewet and replace the towels every few minutes.

  • Avoid putting your pet in a tub of cool or cold water, which can make their condition worse.

  • If a fan is available, use it to directly blow cool air onto your pet.

If your pet is having a seizure

  • Keep your pet away from any objects (including furniture) that might hurt them. Do not try to restrain the pet, or startle them out of the seizure.

  • Avoid placing your hands in or near your pet’s mouth.

  • Time the seizure with a watch.

  • After the seizure has stopped, keep your pet as warm and quiet as possible and contact your veterinarian or local emergency hospital.

  • Immediately take your pet to a veterinarian if the animal has had any of the following:

    • Two or more seizures in a 24-hour period

    • A seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes

    • Seizure activity that doesn’t stop


For more information specific to Heatstroke, please refer to our Heatstroke Blog.


Choking


Choking pets have difficulty breathing, paw a lot at their mouths, make choking sounds when breathing or coughing, and may have blue-tinged lips and/or tongue.

  • If your pet can still breathe, try to keep them calm and immediately seek veterinary care.

  • If possible without risking injury, open your pet’s mouth and look inside for foreign objects.

  • If you see an object, gently try to remove it by using two hands to open the mouth, then using your fingers to grasp and remove the object. The flat side of a spoon may be used to pull the object closer, if needed. Be careful not to push the object further down the throat.

  • For cats and small dogs, if the object can’t be removed with fingers, gently pick up your pet by their thighs and swing the animal in the air from side to side. If that doesn’t help to dislodge the object, apply forward pressure to the pet’s abdomen just behind the ribcage.

  • For larger dogs, if the object can’t be removed with fingers, try the Heimlich maneuver. If your large dog is standing, place your arms around their belly, just like you would a person, and make a fist with your hands. Place your fist on the soft spot under their ribcage, then push up and forward. If the dog is lying down, place one hand on their back and use the other hand to squeeze the abdomen upward.



First Aid Kit Top Essentials


Some of the top essentials for a dog/cat first aid kit include:



 
 
 
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