The Cool Dog Mom's Guide: Super Affordable Medical Kits

The world is beginning to open back up. I bet you cannot wait to get back to traveling with your four-legged fur children. Especially to destinations beyond your backyard! Before you go, check to see if you have proper supplies. Being prepared will calm your nerves if your doggo (or you!) is in a position of compromised health.

It is very important to have an emergency medical kit on hand. Sometimes your pet gets lacerations, plays rough, or finds themselves in spikey situations. This ensures you will be able to help before a potential vet follow-up.

A few companies offer wonderful ready-to-go kits, packaged in canvas bags. The following list may inspire you to buy, or you can gather information if you’d rather make your own. Many of these items you may have in your human first aid kit. Here are some of the top kits from the ol' Google machine.

Me & My Dog Medical Kit by Adventure Medical Kits (Me & My Dog Kit)

Adventure Medical Kits have a wide variety of human and doggo supply kits. In this case, all supplies fit with ease into a 7.5" x 3.5" x 5.3" bag with handles, weighing in around 1.5lbs. This is only ONE of the kits they offer, currently at $49.99. Available at REI.com, as well as other retailers if you take a look at the find-a-store feature on their website.

This kit includes:

• 5 - Easy Access Bandages, 1" x 3" Fabric
• 2 - Easy Access Bandages, Knuckle Fabric
• 3 - Butterfly Closure Fabric Adhesive Bandage
• 2 - Sterile Gauze Dressing, 3" x 3", Pkg./2
• 2 - Sterile Non-Adherent Dressing, 2" x 3"
• 1 - Conforming Gauze Bandage, 2"
• 1 - Tape, 1" x 10 Yards
• 1 - Elastic Bandage Self Adhering, 2"
• 1 - Irrigation Syringe, 10cc. with 18 Gauge Tip
• 1 - Saline Wound & Eye Wash
• 1 - Nitrile Glove, (Pair)
• 3 - Triple Antibiotic Ointment
• 6 - Antiseptic Wipe
• 1 - Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (14 pieces)
• 2 - Alcohol Swab
• 1 - Triangular Bandage (See Instructions For use As Muzzle)
• 1 - Instant Cold Compress
• 3 - Safety Pin
• 1 - Wilderness & Travel Medicine: A Comprehensive Guide - by Eric A. Weiss, M.D.
• 1 - Pet First Aid Manual
• 1 - EMT Shears 4"
• 1 - Splinter Picker / Tick Remover Forceps
• 1 - Leash, 5" Nylon
• 1 - Hydrogen Peroxide 3%, 1 oz. (To Induce Vomiting)
• 1 - Survive Outdoors Longer Emergency Blanket

• 2 - Aspirin (325 mg.), Pkg./2
• 2 - Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg.), Pkg./1

Kurgo Dog First Aid Kit (Kurgo Kit)

This 50 piece kit has a stylish roll-up style bag and fits in your human backpack. Weighing in around 1lb and takes up 9" x 5" x 3.5” of space in your car or hiking gear. It’s super cute and also can hang while you work.

Kurgo also has other various travel and hiking gear for your adventure companion. They even have a first aid kit that is compatible with some of their harnesses and utility belts.

This particular kit includes the following for $29.99:

• First Aid Guide 
• Parachute Cord
• Sting Relief Pads
• Tweezers 
• Tape Roll 
• 2" Crepe Bandage
• Cotton Swabs
• Tongue Depressors
• Antiseptic Towelettes
• Instant Cold Pack
• Disposable Rubber Gloves
• 4" x 4" Gauze Pads
• 2" x 2" Gauze Pads
• 2" Gauze Roll 
• 5" x 9" Trauma Pad
• Alcohol Prep Pads
• Thermal Foil Emergency Blanket
• Scissors 
• Iodine Prep Pads

ARCA PET Cat & Dog First Aid Kit (ARCA Pet Kit)

This kit has an 8.3" x 6.3" x 3.2." water-resistant fabric hard case and 100 pieces. ARCA put a lot of thought into this one. You can download their Pet First Aid guide here, which is a great idea to have on your phone regardless. 

At $36.99 this kit might actually save you money versus starting from scratch. The kit also includes a 4”x6” mini pouch if you are going on a short walk and don’t feel the need to haul anything extra. It is FDA approved and includes the following.

• 10 - Alcohol Pad
• 10 - Sting Relief Pad
• 1 - Antibiotic Ointment
• 5 - Antiseptic Cleansing Wipe
• 5 - Tongue Depressor
• 1 - Safety Pins
• 3 - Dressing
• 2 - Non-Woven Tape
• 1 - Sterile Gauze Swab
• 1 - Moleskin Pre-Cut & Shaped (14)
• 1 - Triangle Bandage
• 1 - Scissors
• 1 - Pet Feeder
• 20 - Adhesive bandage
• 1 - Instant Cold Pack
• 1 - Tweezers
• 2 - Examination Gloves
• 4 - Pbt Bandage
• 2 - Pbt Bandage
• 1 - Self Adhesive Bandage
• 2 - Silicon Tourniquet
• 1 - Emergency collar
• 1 - Tick Remover Kit
• 1 - Thermometer
• 1 - Emergency Blanket
• 1 - Mini Pouch

Please note as the date of this blog they are sold out. Available on Amazon.

These kits are pretty comprehensive. Other outdoor brands have even bigger kits. But you might be thinking “Hmm...I don’t anticipate taking my companion into the depths of the wilderness!” Some breeds (and let’s be honest, humans too) don’t do that, and we love them all the same!

You may be more inclined to head out to local parks, dog runs, or terrain that you are familiar with. Here are some of the most helpful and common supplies summarized below for your DIY first aid kid:

• Disposable Gloves
• Towels
• Conforming Gauze Bandage
• Gauze Pads
• Gauze Roll
• Elastic Bandage Self Adhering
• Tweezers (Forceps are better at grabbing ticks and splinters)
• Scissors, Blunt End
• Instant Cold Pack
• Alcohol Swab or Prep Pads
• Fresh 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (If you find yourself in the situation of swallowed foreign objects or poison, please call your vet or poison control before inducing vomiting. Certain substances are not meant to come back up.)
• OTC Antibiotic Cream Packets
• Tongue Depressors (for applying the medication, and can also be used as a temporary splint)
• Plastic bag or small plastic tupperware (In the event the vet requests a urine sample, stool sample, or to save ticks for testing)

Other Handy Reminders

In the winter, always snag extra blankets for you and your dog in the event you have car issues. You can even buy heated travel blankets if you are feeling super fancy.

Have your primary vet’s number saved in your phone. Write it in a safe spot on your person in the event your phone becomes unusable. If you are road tripping, it is a good idea to have emergency vet numbers for stops along the way.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number (888) 426-4435 is also a must-have. Consultation fees may apply, but it is very much worth the cost when you are in an emergency!

Let's Go Outside!

Crossing our paws we will never have to open these kits or perform any panicked calls to the vet. Yet, preparedness can help you stay centered while you take appropriate action.

Happy travels, smooches, and tail wags!

Xo,

Woof + Wonder Staff