Dog First Aid Kit

A short walk, an afternoon on the trail, or a long expedition - in any of these situations, your dog may need help. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a cut paw pad, a bite, or poisoning. What matters is how quickly you respond. A well-prepared first aid kit is a tool you should always have with you.​

We recommend joining a specialized dog first aid course for dog guardians. This kind of training helps you build a kit that matches your skills - so you’ll be ready to act if your dog gets injured or sick.​

This article doesn’t teach techniques - that’s the job of instructors. We simply show what’s in our own dog first aid kit, based on real experience. Look through the list and ask yourself: would this be enough for me? Even a basic kit prepared by a trusted manufacturer is much better than having nothing.​

Below is the content of our kit, organized just as shown in the photos.​

Part I

• High-absorbency sterile dressings for stopping bleeding

• Additional sterile dressing set

• Wide, elastic adhesive tape for securing bandages

• Chemical spray bandage (for cuts on paw pads)

• Disinfectant spray for cleaning wounds

• 3% hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting / disinfect wounds)​

Part II

• Disposable nitrile gloves

• Safety scissors (for cutting tape, bandages, a collar or leash)

• Narrow, waterproof adhesive tape

• Saline solution (for rinsing eyes and wounds)

• Tweezers and safety pins

• Tick removal tools

• Emergency foil blanket (to protect your dog or create a clean area)

• 45 cm SPLINT for fracture support

• Two rolls of semi-elastic bandage

• Sterile dressing set

• Syringe for administering a vomiting-inducing liquid

• Yellow waste bag for used materials​

⚠️ Important:

Over the years, we’ve developed strong first aid skills for people - and while much of that knowledge helps when caring for dogs, it’s not exactly the same. Thanks to that experience, we built this kit so that every item is something we know how to use - safely and effectively.​

⚠️ Reminder:

Never give your dog human medication unless advised by a vet. Many drugs safe for humans can be dangerous - or even deadly - for dogs. Using hydrogen peroxide to make a dog vomit also requires knowledge of the correct dose based on the dog’s weight.​

If any item in our kit is unavailable in your country - look for a local equivalent. If you don’t know how to use something in your own kit — visit a nearby veterinary clinic and ask a vet or technician to show you.​

⚠️ These situations require immediate action:

• Heavy bleeding

• No breathing or heartbeat

• Broken bones

• Poison ingestion​

Your dog’s life may depend on what you do - and how quickly you do it. That’s why we strongly recommend dog first aid training.​

Planning for Longer Trips

Before a longer journey, especially one far from civilization, take a moment to prepare. If you’re not staying in one place and will be moving across long distances, it’s worth creating a rough map of where you could access veterinary care along the way. If you’re heading into remote areas, consider making a version of that map that includes both human and canine support locations - just in case.​

In areas far from civilization, having a satellite phone is essential.

A more accessible alternative is a system that allows you to send text messages via satellites.​

We equipped Mrok with a GPS tracker to monitor his movements and locate him if he gets injured and stops moving. We intentionally chose the Garmin Alpha 300i system, whose GPS module not only shows the dog's location but also serves as an advanced navigation tool for travelers, equipped with satellite communication inReach®​

One More Thing - About Costs

Transport, emergency aid, and veterinary care for dogs can be expensive. Our dog Mrok has his own insurance. If your dog is an active part of your outdoor life, it may be worth looking into a similar option. When you do, try to match the insurance coverage to the kind of activities you and your dog actually do. This is not an advertisement - just a note from experience: unexpected situations happen, and preparation can reduce both stress and cost.​ Always Within Reach: What We Carry for Emergencies with Our Dog (dog first aid kit, dog evacuation system)

A Useful Tip

Save phone numbers of vet clinics in your phone - especially if you’re going on a multi-day trip. Before you leave, check:​

• Where is the nearest animal hospital or vet clinic?

• Save the phone number

• Make sure you can speak the language or get help

• If you’re traveling through difficult terrain, prepare a way to evacuate your dog in advance​
  

Let the road bring only the good surprises

Interested in this topic? Good - it’s worth your attention.​

We also invite you to read our article on transporting an injured dog in rough terrain Any questions or doubts? Ask in the comments - we’ll respond.