In case of an emergency, you will always want to call and let your emergency veterinary hospital know you are on the way. That way they can prepare for your pet’s specific emergency and be ready when you arrive.

Even if you keep contact information on your phone, include a hard copy in your kit in case someone else needs to help your pet when you’re not around. This should include:

• Phone and address of your veterinary team or hospital
• Phone and address of the local emergency veterinary hospital, or after-hours pet hospital, so you can call and let them know you’re on your way

Scared, hurt pets can be aggressive. It helps to have materials immediately on hand if they’re sick or injured, so you can focus on safely getting them the help they need. We recommend:

• Clean non-stick bandages, towels, or strips of clean cloth to clean wounds and control bleeding
• Stretchy athletic bandages or colored vet wraps are always handy to wrap wounds, control bleeding, or stabilize injured legs
• Eye dropper so you can drop meds in mouths or flush wounds
• Large towel or blanket to carry your pet, and for clean up
• Leash (or harness) to help keep your pet close
• Materials to use as a muzzle, like gauze, strips of t-shirt, even a necktie
• Rolled gauze to wrap wounds
• Scissors to cut bandages and gauze
• Bandage tape to hold bandages or wraps in place (please, no duct tape)

Never use human adhesive bandages, like Band-Aids^®, on pets.

Use the supplies on this list only if your veterinary team gives you direct, specific instructions. Using these materials incorrectly can really hurt your pet. Never make your pet vomit or use an epi pen unless directed by a veterinarian.

• Hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting
• Digital thermometer to rectally check your pet’s temperature (if they’ll let you — your vet can help with tips)
• Diphenhydramine for some allergic reactions — use this only under direction from a veterinarian, who will tell you the dose and how to administer it