Does this sound familiar? You’re wrestling a wiggly and possibly frantic dog to clean their ears/clip nails/brush teeth/fill-in-the-blank only to find you’re plumb out of ear cleaner/syptic gel/tooth paste/whatever it is you most need. Fortunately, April is not only tax season and the first month of spring, it’s also National Pet First Aid Awareness Month! Preparation is the best way to ensure your pooch is happy and healthy, so it’s worth your while to make sure you have everything you need. We’ve compiled a helpful checklist of essential first aid and general pet care supplies to get you started.
Prevention and preparation are the best medicine for a healthy pet
Dog first aid includes everything from routine care to emergency intervention. As we discussed last fall, prevention goes a long way towards keeping your pup safe. Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to check your home and yard for potential hazards. Winter storms may have weakened fences, fallen branches may pose a new choking hazard, and old toys may need to be tossed. Check your pup’s records and make sure that routine vaccines are up to date. And when reviewing your pet care supplies, look for expiration dates on items with active ingredients: replace as necessary. In many cities you can even take a pet first aid class.
Essential first aid & pet care supplies
Based on our experience with our own dogs at home, these are the essential supplies you’ll be glad to have on hand when your pet needs them. We strongly recommend that you consult your vet when introducing new products or medications, have questions about routine care, health issues are chronic or severe, or in emergency cases.
- Dog Shampoo–there are options for every imaginable need, so be sure to choose one that’s best for your pet.
- Anti-fungal shampoo–for itchy, irritated skin.
- Anti-microbial disinfectant–for cleaning punctures and wounds.
- Ear cleaner–in case of chronic redness or itchiness, consult a veterinarian.
- Ear powder–excellent for drying out damp ear canals in breeds prone to infection (pugs, spaniels, etc.).
- Eye cleaner and/or tear wipes–useful for breeds with prominent or exposed eyes (blood hounds, pugs, bulldogs, etc.).
- Baby wipes–convenient for wiping faces (never eyes!), skin folds, and those pesky dingleberries.
- Nail clippers–human clippers work well for small breeds or puppy nails, while there are many options to suit large breeds.
- Syptic gel/powder–to stop minor bleeding from nail trims, cuts, etc.
- Flea/tick preventative–options include sprays, topicals, and chewables.
- Heartworm preventative–April is also Heartworm Awareness Month. Preventative is recommended in mosquito-prone areas.
- Dewormer–readily available over the counter for common parasites such as roundworms.
- Doggy toothbrush and toothpaste
- Scissors
- Baby thermometer
- Clean rags/old towels
- Cotton balls
- Tweezers
- Flea comb
Be sure to store your pet care and first aid supplies in a safe, easily-accessible spot. Happy spring!
