May is Responsible Animal Guardian Month, and there’s no better time to remind cat parents that it’s our job to keep our pets as safe and protected as possible. Should your pet experience an emergency at home, it’s best to stay calm and be prepared, especially with a pet first aid kit handy. Unsure of how to perform first aid for your feline friend? This article will teach you how to create an at-home first aid kit for your kitty and how to respond to the most common cat emergencies.
How to Put Together a Cat First Aid Kit
While there are ready-made pet first aid kits available for purchase, many items that are recommended for cat first aid kits are already in your own kit and household. When creating a first aid kit specifically for your favorite feline, be sure to include the following items:
Starter Cat First Aid Kit:
- Self-adhesive bandages (for pets)
- Surgical tape
- Sterile absorbent gauze
- 4” x 4” gauze pads, for bleeding and bandaging
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Cotton swabs
- Thick towel(s), for restraining your cat
- “Cone of shame”
- Saline solution
- Syringe, for flushing wounds
- Digital thermometer, to check temperature (always use a lubricant like Vaseline)
The first rule of thumb when it comes to cat first aid is: NEVER, EVER, give human medicines to a cat.
