You love the outdoors and enjoy spending time outside with your dog exploring and going on adventures together. But what happens when your dog gets into a little mischief and ends up getting hurt? Are you prepared to take care of your dog’s injury? A dog first aid kit to take along with you on your adventures can bring you peace of mind along with anything you may need to take care of your pup.
What Is A Dog First Aid Kit?
A dog first aid kit includes everything you may need to treat your dog for minor injuries around your home or when outdoors while traveling. It can also help you take care of your dog until you can get them to a hospital if they are seriously injured.
***Bring the phone number of your vet or a vet hospital near where you are going to be, as well as, poison control in case you need to contact any of them on your trip.***
What is Included In A Dog First Aid Kit?
Dog first aid kits generally carry the same materials, but they may be in different quantities or sizes. Common first aid supplies in dog first aid kits include:
Gauze Pads
Cleans and covers wounds.
Self Adhesive Bandages
Protects the wound without sticking to your dog’s hair or them being able to take it off.
Exam Gloves
Avoid contaminating the wound while helping your dog.
Tweezers
Take out any splinters, needles, thorns or anything else you may need to remove.
Scissors
Cut the gauze or bandages.
Ice Pack
Relieves pain and swelling.
Thermal or Emergency Blanket
For warmth.
Styptic Pencil/Powder
Stops bleeding from wounds.
Antiseptic Wipes
Disinfects your dog’s wound.
Kits may include a variety of other items, but these tend to be included in most kits.
Why Do I Need A First Aid Kit When Hiking With My Dog?
Injuries can happen at any time and it is always good to be prepared. When hiking, you may be far away from immediate help and having supplies to take care of your dog could be a big help if they get injured.
Some injuries that may occur to your dog while hiking can include cuts or abrasions to their paws, insect bites or stings, tick bites, splinters, or they may ingest a plant they shouldn’t.
What Should I Look For In A Dog First Aid Kit For Hiking?
If you are hiking with your dog, there are a few additional items to the ones listed above you may want to have included in your first aid kit.
Tick Remover
If you are hiking in an area known for ticks, it is important to examine your dog and have the means to remove any if they are found on your dog. First aid kits my have their tweezers double as a tick remover, but this will only work for tick removal if the tweezers are fine or precision tipped.
Saline Solution
This is good to flush any wounds your dog may incur on your journey together.
Eye Wash
Use if any debris gets in your dog’s eyes. Some first aid kits will use their saline solution as an eye wash as well.
Vomit Inducer
This includes hydrogen peroxide. If your dog happens to ingest anything they shouldn’t, this can help.
**Note: only use to induce vomiting when under the guidance of your vet or poison control center, as inducing vomiting may cause more harm to your dog.**
Iodine Pad
Helps prevent infection in minor wounds.
Sting Relief
If your dog encounters any stinging insects on your hike.
Antibiotic Ointment
Helps prevent infection.
Flashlight
To see what you are doing when trying to help your dog. Use a flashlight as a signal if it is dark on the trail or other outdoor area you may be.
Medication
Any medication your dog is on.
The Best Dog First Aid Kits For Hiking
Before going on a hike with your dog, go over each item in your first aid kit to become familiar with what is inside it and where things are located.
Read through the first aid manual that comes with your kit. Don’t rely on a dog first aid app on your phone, as you may not have cell service at your location.
These are some of the best rated dog first aid kits. They have a comprehensive amount of first aid supplies that will help you tend to your dog in case of a minor injury on your hike. Included materials are per the manufacturer.
Not all dog first aid kits include everything you may need. You will have to supplement whichever kit you buy with additional items to make it suit your needs.
Items that are missing will be listed, so you have an idea of what you may need to purchase additionally.
Best Overall Dog First Aid Kit For Hiking
Adventure Medical Kits Workin’ Dog Canine First Aid Kit
- 8.5 x 5.5 x 6”.
- Contains 50 items not including the carrying case, including:
- QuickClot gauze.
- Styptic pencil.
- Nitrile gloves.
- First aid booklet.
- LED headlamp.
- 5′ Leash.
- Emergency blanket.
- Splinter picker/ tick remover forceps.
- Shears.
- Hemostat forceps.
- Triangular bandage.
- Safety pin.
- Cold pack.
- Irrigation syringe.
- Saline solution.
- Disposable skin stapler.
- Skin staple remover.
- Antibiotic ointment.
- Antiseptic wipes.
- Alcohol wipes.
- Self adhesive bandage.
- Comforting gauze bandages of various sizes.
- Sterile dressings of various sizes.
- Antihistamine.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Eye wash.
Missing:
- Sting relief.
- Iodine prep pads.
ARCA PET Dog First Aid Kit
- Fluorescent lettering and reflective zipper for easy locating.
- Includes:
- Eye wash.
- Styptic pencil.
- Pet feeder syringe.
- Tick remover.
- Mini flashlight.
- Metal tweezers.
- Scissors.
- Pet trimmer comb.
- Digital thermometer.
- Pill feeder kit.
- Gauze pads.
- Antiseptic towelettes.
- PBT bandages.
- Vinyl gloves.
- Medical tape.
- Tourniquets.
- Gauze sponges.
- Burn gel.
- Antibiotic ointment.
- Self adhesive tape.
- Safety pins.
- Slip lead leash.
- Sting relief pad.
- Iodine prep pad.
- Soap wipes.
- Ice pack.
- Abdominal pad.
- Cotton swabs.
- Thermal blanket.
- Emergency contact card.
- Basic first aid book.
Missing:
- Saline solution.
- Vomit inducer.
Best Dog First Aid Kit For Hiking Under $70
Home Vet Bag
- 12 x 9 x 8”.
- Contains a first aid manual.
- Includes:
- Medical bag.
- Manual.
- Bandage scissors.
- Thermometer.
- Lubricating jelly.
- Tweezers.
- Flashlight.
- Pet piller.
- Cold pack.
- Pill cutter.
- Styptic match book.
- Syringe for feeding.
- Saline eye/wound flush.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Cast padding.
- Gauze.
- Non-adhesive pads.
- Self adhesive bandage.
- Medical tape.
- Medical gloves.
- Alcohol scrub wipes.
- Topical sting cream.
- Betadine scrub wipes.
- Antibiotic ointment.
- Honey packet.
- Antihistamine.
Missing:
- A separate tick remover.
- Ice pack.
- Thermal blanket.
Best Dog First Aid Kit For Hiking Under $40
Perpetual Pet First Aid Kit
- 7 x 3 x 8”.
- External zippered pocket.
- Reflective piping.
- Made of water resistant polyester.
- Interior pockets for organization.
- Includes a veterinary splint.
- MOLLE Compatible straps on the back to attach to a dog vest.
- Includes 50 items:
- Veterinary splint.
- Bitter spray.
- Styptic powder packet.
- Vet wrap.
- Handbook.
- Ice pack.
- Emergency blanket.
- Adhesive plaster.
- Antiseptic wipes.
- Gauze pads in various sizes.
- Gauze swab.
- Medical tape.
- Self adhesive bandage.
- Adhesive patch.
- Sting relief pad.
- Saline eye solution.
- Tick pick of various sizes.
- Scissors.
- Metal tweezer.
- Tongue depressors.
- Bag to carry items in.
Missing:
- Flashlight.
- Vomit Inducer.
- Iodine prep pads.
- Antibiotic ointment.
- Gloves.
JUSAID Pet First Aid Kit
- Contains 105 pieces.
- Water resistant case.
- Includes:
- PBT bandages.
- Self adhesive bandages various sizes.
- Powder storage case.
- Iodine prep pad.
- Sting relief pads.
- Soap wipes.
- Antiseptic wipes.
- Cotton balls.
- First aid tape.
- Tourniquets.
- Safety pins.
- Irrigation syringe.
- Scissors.
- Forceps.
- Metal tweezers.
- Dog collar and leash.
- Hand crank flashlight.
- Gauze pads of various sizes.
- Ice pack.
- Disposable gloves.
- Pill container.
- Cotton swabs.
- Pet trimmer/comb.
- Tongue depressors.
- Dog muzzle.
- Absorbent pads.
- Towel.
- Collapsible water bowl.
- Portable spray bottle.
- Thermometer.
- Pet waste bags.
- Emergency blanket.
- Emergency contact card.
- Manual.
Missing:
- Tick remover.
- Saline solution.
- Eye Wash.
- Styptic powder.
- Vomit Inducer.
- Antibiotic ointment.
Best Dog First Aid Kit For Hiking Under $30
Rayco International Pet First Aid Kit With LED Safety Collar
- 8 x 3 x 7”.
- Contains 45 items.
- Adjustable flashing LED Collar.
- Includes:
- Gauze pads and rolls of various sizes.
- Elastic bandage.
- Self adhesive bandage.
- Plaster.
- Patch adhesive.
- Triangle bandage.
- Exam gloves.
- First aid tape.
- Metal tweezers.
- Scissors.
- Ice pack.
- Emergency blanket.
- Saline solution.
- Antiseptic wipes.
- Wooden tongue depressors.
- Plastic syringe.
- Collapsible water bowl.
- Tick remover.
- Styptic pencil.
- Bag to carry it all in.
Missing:
- Flashlight.
- Eye wash.
- Vomit Inducer.
- Iodine prep pad.
- Sting relief.
- Antibiotic ointment.
Best Splurge Dog First Aid Kit For Hiking
LL Bean Sporting Dog First Aid Kit
- 9.5 x 7 x 6.5”.
- Water resistant canvas bag.
- Contains a first aid book.
- Includes:
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Styptic pencil.
- Cohesive wrap.
- Alcohol prep pads.
- Gauze pads.
- 3-ply towels.
- Iodine solution.
- Scissors.
- Surgical scrub brush.
- Syringe.
- Hydrocortisone cream.
- Antibiotic ointment.
- Cotton swabs.
- Cotton balls.
- Tourniquet.
- Vinyl gloves.
- Pill gun.
- Iodine pads.
- Skin staple gun.
- Cold pack.
- Eye wash.
- Thermometer.
- Forceps.
Missing:
- Tick remover.
- Flashlight.
- Saline solution.
- Sting relief.
- Tweezers.
- Thermal blanket.
While we love to take our dogs with us on our outdoor adventures, it is important to be prepared in case of an injury. A dog first aid kit can help give you the materials you need to care for your pup while on your hike.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.