Best Dog First Aid Kit For Hiking & Camping (Spring 2022)

Posted on May 14, 2021 • 7 min read • 1,309 words

It's always a good idea to keep a kit made up of first aid materials for dogs in case there is ever an accident or an emergency involving the dog.

The arrival of spring has been officially confirmed. It seems to have been around for some time in other areas of the nation, but here in Minnesota, it didn’t come until this past week when it was finally in full swing. When spring arrives, a lot of individuals have the itch to spend more time outdoors doing activities like hiking and camping. It’s time to shake off the winter blues and get outside to bask in the rays of the sun, take in the clear sky, and feel the gentle winds.

If you have a dog, springtime also means spending a lot more time with them outdoors doing things like hiking, camping, playing ball and playing Frisbee, and just generally having some good dog and family fun!

It is so simple to forget that there is a risk of harm to dogs when engaging in all of these enjoyable activity. Dogs tend to find trouble no matter how much fun they are having, and they have a knack for getting into things they shouldn’t or that their owners do not want them to. This raises the likelihood that they will consume something on one of their travels that will make them sick, that they will be bitten by something, or that they will harm themselves on anything.

For this reason, it is always a good idea to keep a kit made up of first aid materials for dogs in case there is ever an accident or an emergency involving the dog.

What’s Available?  

There is a great variety of first aid kits designed specifically for dogs available on the market today. Because I shop on Amazon so frequently, I can tell you that you can find everything from the tiniest of first-aid kits with just a few essential items that are designed to fit in your pocket all the way up to backpacks that are jam-packed with first-aid and emergency supplies, some of which are more than likely designed with trained medical professionals in mind.

Going to a local shop or pharmacy, collecting the necessary goods, and putting together your own do-it-yourself (DIY) dog first-aid kit is an option that may serve as an alternative to purchasing a first-aid kit that has already been built. You will be able to get the products and brands of your choice as a result of this.

The scope of the activities for which you want to use the first-aid kit largely determines the quantity of supplies that should be included in the kit.

What Size Kit Should You Get?  

So how exactly do you choose what components should be included in a first aid kit for your dog? It is dependent on the activities that you have planned.

If you are going on a hike or camping trip that will take you away from veterinary care for a full day or more, it is a good idea to plan for the unexpected and pack supplies necessary for a more serious condition or injury. This is especially important if you will be away from veterinary care for more than one day. If you are just planning on strolling about the neighborhood or going on short trips inside the city, a minimal first-aid pack should be sufficient.

Packing the Basics  

No matter how big or little of a kit you decide to buy or put together, there are a few things that should always be included in it (check out that list below). If you make the decision to put together your own kit, you may copy and save the list that is provided below, and then bring it with you when you go shopping.

If the most of the time you are simply wandering about town, going for a walk, or heading to the dog park, you could bring a more minimum canine first-aid kit, which would contain items such as bandages, gloves, gauze, and so on. If you are going to be gone for a longer period of time or going somewhere where veterinary care will not be easily accessible, you should put together a more comprehensive first-aid package for your dog.

Important Phone Numbers  

It is essential that you have the necessary contact information with you at all times. You may save the picture below to your computer, print it off, and store it in the emergency first aid kit for your dog. It is also a smart idea to enter these numbers into your phone’s contact list, along with the number of the veterinarian clinic where you take your dog and the number of an emergency veterinary care service.

Kit Check  

You should be aware that certain drugs, ointments, fluids, and other items included in first aid kits do expire; thus, you will want to check the expiry dates of everything that is contained in your kit at least once every year. The optimal time to do so would be just before the season in which you anticipate making the greatest use of the outfit.

If you use the first-aid kit on a regular basis, you should check on it periodically to ensure that it continues to contain a sufficient amount of supplies.

Asking the Professionals  

Before you attempt to make your dog throw up, it is strongly recommended that you get in touch with a veterinarian or a pet poison control line first. I am sure that different people will have different perspectives on what I am going to say. Because there are certain items that might also cause harm while they are being digested, you want to be sure that throwing up is the best course of action to take in this situation.

If you don’t feel like putting together a do-it-yourself kit or sorting through the many dog first aid kits that are available online, you can always check with your veterinarian to find out what dog first aid supplies and/or dog first aid kits they recommend. If you don’t feel like doing either of those things, you can also put together a do-it-yourself kit.

An online course on providing first aid to dogs, cats, and other pets is provided by the American Red Cross. At this time, the fee for a training class that lasts for thirty-five minutes is $25. Since I have not attended this class myself, I am unable to comment on whether or not the knowledge presented is valuable. There are currently just three reviews available, and they all give the class an average rating of three stars out of a possible five. If you would like to be taken to the URL so that you may check it out, you can do so by clicking HERE.

In addition, the American Red Cross has developed a mobile application titled Pet First Aid that is available for download from the Apple App Store as well as the Google Play store. This software is essentially a reference guide that you may have on hand in the event that you find yourself in a circumstance in which you need to learn how to provide first aid to someone. You may also download it online by visiting HERE and following the instructions.

Being Prepared  

It is preferable to have the supplies and not need them in order to be prepared, rather than to need them and not be prepared. In the event that your dog is hurt or there is an emergency scenario, what you do for your dog in the time that it takes you to get to the veterinarian’s office might end up being the deciding factor in whether or not he lives. When weighed against the possibility of parting ways with your closest companion, the cost of a dog first aid kit or individual dog first aid supplies is negligible.

Have fun in all your springtime endeavors!