Always keep your pet healthy and safe.
As fur parents, we know things come up that we might not expect. It might be that your cat got scratched by your neighbor’s dog, your pet vomited a lot, or your fur child ate something he shouldn’t have. It will be a great comfort always to be prepared and know how to take care of your furry friend when an emergency arises.
Here, we’ve listed the five things that every pet owner should know regarding pet first aid.
Tip #1: Create a Pet-specific First Aid Kit
First aid kits are not just for humans; they are also important for your pets. It will help stabilize your fur child’s situation while bringing them to the vet.
Here are the recommended items that should be included in your kit:
- Disinfectant cleanser
- Non-sticky bandages and tape for pets
- Gauze
- Blunt bandage scissors
- Plain saline
- Tweezers
- Slip leash
- Muzzle
Tip #2: Cleaning a bleeding wound
When you clean your pet’s wound, it is best to put a muzzle on their mouth. Although your pet may never hurt you intentionally, pain can cause animals to react differently than usual. It will be safer for everyone and help you treat the injury better.
Then, take a piece of gauze, place it over the wound and apply pressure for a few minutes to stop the bleeding. You can gently put water on the wound to ensure that it is clean and won’t be infected. Wrap the injured area gently with gauze to contain the bleeding.
Tip #3: Know the signs when your pet is in distress
To know when your pet is in distress, you must be familiar with your pet’s normal behavior. Pets communicate using body language, so it is important to know what they are trying to tell us. Learning the signs when your pet is stressed can reduce the risk and prevent possible dangerous situations.
Tip #4: Learning the Pet CPR
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is known to save human lives. Just like for humans, Pet CPR can also be essential to saving your pet’s life. By having knowledge on how to CPR your fur child, you can always be prepared for any dire situation.
You can apply for courses that teach the proper way for Pet CPR, such as Red’s Cross online course. Or you can talk to a professional veterinarian on how to perform CPR on your pet.
Tip #5: Recognizing a true emergency
The most important thing for Pet First Aid is learning how to recognize an emergency. You can trust your instinct and always call the professional for help if you think something isn’t right. Like what they said, it is better to be safe than sorry.