Dog First Aid

Dog first aid is as important as first aid for people. Dogs are like children - they play hard and they get boo-boos. Knowing how to give appropriate first aid to your dog can save him prolonged pain, shock, and even save his life.

The key to responding well to an emergency is to be prepared. Having a fully-stocked first aid kit and knowing how to use everything in the kit is important. Also, be sure you know where you should go if you have an emergency, especially when it happens after hours. It is a good idea to put a list of emergency numbers (your vet's, animal hospital's, your local animal poision control center's) in the first aid kit.

When our dog is in danger or hurt, it is natural that we want to save him as soon as possible. However, that can be dangerous - for us. Before we dash out to the road to rescue our injured dog, make sure that no cars are coming! This may sound obvious, but in an emergency, many of us don't act rationally, especially when our loved one is in danger.

Also, never give first aid treatment to a dog that is not muzzled and restrained. Your dog may be an angel when he is fine and well, but he may bite (yes, even you!) when he is in pain and in shock.

Remember to take care to protect yourself. Safety first.

In an emergency, first aid is not a substitute for veterinary treatment. However, before you are able to get your dog to a veterinarian, knowing how to provide emergency dog care to your pet can be of great help. There are quite a few natural remedies, such as herbal and homeopathic treatments, that can be used for first aid. They are easy to apply, safe, and effective.

Click on the following links to read about how to give first aid treatments to your dog in these situations: