You can never be too prepared for anything. Just like humans keep first aid kits handy, consider making one to have on hand for animal emergencies! From a simple bug bite to navigating a natural disaster, these extra safety precautions can make the difference. In this blog, we’ll share a few items that are perfect to go in your pet emergency kit. And don’t worry, for those wanting to just purchase a pre-made kit- we’ll include a few of those, too!
Pet Emergency Kit Must Haves:
Collapsible water bowl
An emergency stash of food
An extra leash and collar, toys, treats
Gloves + hand sanitizer
Flashlight with batteries
Blankets and/or Towels
If this doesn’t feel like enough preparation for you, the ASPCA Pro also suggests including "absorbent gauze pads, adhesive tape, cotton balls or swabs, and fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting (always check with a veterinarian or animal poison control expert before giving to your pet), ice pack, scissors with a blunt end, tweezers, over the counter antibiotic ointment, oral syringe or turkey baster, liquid dishwashing detergent (for bathing), alcohol wipes, styptic powder, saline eye solution, and artificial tear gel." (source: https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/how-make-pet-first-aid-kit)
Additionally, any information on your pet is helpful to keep within this kit. Check out this Pet Emergency Information Sheet put together by Human Rescue Alliance and St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center. Adding a photo is all the more helpful- especially in case of separation! You can purchase this wallet identification card by visiting tagsforhope.com!
Keep in mind that these are the basics. You know your animal best and will be able to cater this list to their needs. If you have a cat, many organizations also suggest having extra cat litter and pan. For small animals, their needs will differ as well. The plus side to being able to create your own personalized kit is that you are able to choose what goes inside and how extensive you would like to get. If purchasing all of these items isn’t financially feasible at first, purchase these items when you’re able! You are taking a step in the right direction.
“Can’t I just buy one?” Yep! If all of this seems a bit overwhelming or you’d rather just purchase a kit that is already put together, we’ve got you covered. Insider did an article review of some of the best products to put within a first aid emergency kit. Within this article, they also did an informative overview of a few of the most popular pre-packaged pet emergency kits.
Photo credit: Amazon
The insider writes “The Pet Evac Pak Emergency Survival Kit (pictured above) is designed specifically for cats and small to large dogs and includes everything your pet needs to be comfortable for at least 72 hours.” Within this article, Mary Marlowe Leverette, author of the review, goes on to share “packed into a durable backpack are food and water pouches, feeding bowls, a first aid kit, a waterproof ID holder, a slip-lead (a type of leash), Mylar blanket, LED light, waste bags, and even a rope toy. Knowing that everything is in one place, eases my mind should disaster strikes — one less thing to worry about when you need to evacuate quickly.”
The price point for this product is $89.
Photo credit: Amazon
This kit is a more cost-efficient kit, priced at $29.99. Mary shares her thoughts, “I own three of these: one for the bathroom cabinet, one for the car, and one for a go-bag…” and goes on to say “When on the go, in addition to the typical first-aid bandages and supplies, you'll find exam gloves, a Mylar blanket, a small collapsible water bowl, and a LED flashing collar that are all invaluable if you find an injured animal. The case is compact and water-resistant, perfect for a go-bag.”
Whether you create your own kit or purchase one online, being prepared for emergencies of all kinds (even if it’s not your own pet) is a great thing to do!
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