Making a pet first aid kit

The basics first: gauze, self-adhesive bandage (the kind that sticks to itself, not fur), blunt-tipped scissors, tweezers, a digital thermometer, and saline solution for flushing wounds or eyes. I also keep a spare lead, a muzzle, and my vet's number plus the nearest out-of-hours clinic written on the lid. The kit is for stabilising, not treating.

Some, but not all, and the difference matters. Gauze, bandages, and saline are fine. Human medications are where it goes wrong, because paracetamol and ibuprofen are toxic to dogs and cats even in small doses. I never put human painkillers in the kit. Any medicine goes in only on a vet's specific instruction.

Loosely, and never with tape directly on fur. I pad the wound with gauze, wrap with the self-adhesive bandage firmly enough to stay but loose enough to slip a finger under, and check the toes stay warm. A bandage that is too tight cuts off circulation fast. If in doubt, looser is safer, and get to a vet.

A current photo of their pet and a copy of their vaccination and medical records. If your pet bolts in an emergency or you end up at an unfamiliar clinic, that information saves precious time. I keep mine in a small waterproof bag inside the kit, along with the vet's address.

Better, usually, because you control what is in it. Shop kits are convenient but often padded with filler items and missing the specifics your pet needs. Building my own meant I included my dog's regular medication details and the right bandage sizes. Check and refresh it twice a year, since saline expires and tape dries out.

⚠️ Safety note: A first aid kit stabilises a pet until you reach professional help. It does not replace a vet. Never give human medication to a pet without veterinary advice, as many common drugs are toxic to animals.