The Ultimate Check List For Your Cat’s First Aid

First aid is something we all have to use at some point, whether we just need a band aid or we need some serious medical attention. We aren’t all doctors, but that does not matter when it comes to someone with a scraped knee or a hurt elbow, especially our kids. Most medical issues at home are not worthy of a trip to the doctor, which is why a first aid kit comes in handy for all of us. One thing we all have in common, however, is that we often have no clue that we need a first aid kit for our animals. Our cats could become injured quite quickly and easily and we might have to do a little medical work of our own until we can get the cat to the vet. It’s not something that happens often to many pet owners, but we do live by the motto that it’s always better to be safe than sorry. So if you have a cat, it’s time to get together a pet first aid kit that will help you keep your kitty safe should you ever find yourself in a situation in which your cat is injured. You just never know when an accident could happen, which is why they are called accidents. Go ahead and take note of what it is you need in your kit and get it started.

Eye Dropper

Your cat’s first aid kit is going to need one of these. You just never know when you might have to give your cat medication in one of these, so have some on hand. Chances are good that your vet will provide you with these when he or she gives your cat some medication, but you should keep some. If you cannot find them anywhere, stop by the vet’s office and ask if you can have one or two for your first aid kit.

Bandages

It really does go without saying that you should have a bandage or two in the package for your cat. While you hope to never need it, it’s always better to have one and be realistic about the many things that could happen than it is not to have one and worry that your cat will need one at some point.

Vet Information

This is the most important information you can have in your cat’s first aid kit. You need to know that you have this information available, even if you have it in your phone or other location. It should be here so that it’s readily available for anyone to use if your cat is injured. You might be otherwise occupied trying to attend to your cat, and it’s easier to just have this information handy so others can help.

The information you should have on hand for your vet includes the name of the vet, the address of the nearest office, the phone number, the office hours and the after office-hours phone number for emergencies. You should be able to call the vet at a moment’s notice to ensure that they are able to help you save your cat if it comes down to that.

Cool Pack

Sometimes your cat might have an injury that includes swelling. If this is the case, your vet will recommend that you place a cold pack on the wound in an attempt to reduce swelling and make the pain feel a little more bearable. If you don’t have one, you should get one now and keep it handy for your cat’s safety and comfort.

Peroxide

Wounds happen. Your cat could get hurt on a fence, by another animal or anywhere and need a wound cleaned with peroxide. This is not going to be a fun job if you have to do it, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it on hand so that it is here if you need it.

Gloves

Cats are prone to have some health issues, and you do not want to have to handle an injured cat without gloves. It’s imperative that you have these in the first aid kit so you can keep other animal blood and your cat’s blood off your body and hands.

Tweezers

There might be a point in which you need these to do something such as apply or remove a bandage, sticker or even a fang from an animal. You never know; it’s gross, but you need these so that you don’t have to touch things that might otherwise harm you in some way or end up making you sick. Additionally, some things are just easier to apply and remove when you have something small like a pair of tweezers to use as help.

Scissors

If you have an injured cat, chances are good you’re going to need scissors. This might be to open a package of something that might save your cat’s life, or it might just be so that you can cut gauze to wrap around your child. We don’t know what you plan on doing with it, but we do know that you need to have some scissors on hand. Again, it’s always better to be safe than it is to be sorry.

Alcohol Pads

You should never use anything on your cat that is not sterile, especially if there is an open wound present. This could cause infection. Your alcohol pads will be used to treat the items you use on your cat, such as scissors or tweezers to clean and sterilize them to make them safer to use in the event of an emergency.

Digital Thermometer

We will say this first; please hope you never have to use this. It’s going to be a little bit scary and intimidating, and it’s not going to be fun. Your cat is not going to love it, but you need one. If your pet is running a fever, you need to know, and this is the best chance you have of finding out if your cat is all right or in need of veterinary care.

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