Do you know what to do if your dog has an emergency?

February 1, 2025

A canine emergency can arise in the blink of an eye. Having resources and a plan can make all the difference between handling it well or poorly.

 

Do you know how to help your dog?

It can happen in the blink of an eye; you and your dog are on a walk or playing and all of a sudden they're in trouble.  Whether it's an injury or a serious health problem, you need to figure out how to help your best friend. Even if it's not life-threatening, you still need to handle the situation until you can get in to the vet.

Dog  first aid knowledge can come in really handy when you find that your  dog has an urgent problem so you can help them as much as possible while you're getting to a professional.

MacGyvering

If  you don’t have a vet available, you might have to make like MacGyver to  take care of the issue. MacGyver  was a television show in which the star could get out of any problem by using  random items he had on hand; a paperclip to open a lock, a pen to kill  the bad guy, gum to keep a door from locking. You get the idea. 

Anyway,  as a dog parent, I’ve found that channeling my inner MacGyver has come  in handy from time to time. When it’s 9:00 p.m. or early Sunday morning,  getting into the vet becomes much more difficult. If it’s life or  death, you bite the bullet and get to help if you can. If not, you have  to figure out what you can do with what you’ve got, just like MacGyver.

When a canine emergency comes up, you'll feel more prepared if you have a plan for how you can help until you can get to the vet.

Dog First Aid is a good place to start.

One thing you can do to be prepared is to take a dog first aid/CPR course, available online or in person depending on your location. These courses can teach  you what to watch out for and some helpful information for handling a  situation until you get to the vet. Just having a little knowledge can  help you feel prepared.

After  taking a first aid course, you’ll probably have a list of things to put  in a bag “just in case.” Things like bandages, scissors, tweezers,  instant ice packs, etc., are just a start. However, a dog first aid kit  can only contain so much. The class I took also included ideas for  make-shift splints, how to bandage hard-to-reach places, and so much  more. In addition to the first aid kit, here are some other things to  have available.

The course I took was at K9educators.com. I highly recommend them for making a lot of difficult information user-friendly.

Other helpful items that you have around the house

• Apple cider vinegar for itchy skin, ear mites
• Coconut oil for skin, gut, antibacterial properties
• Human Benadryl for bug bites, rashes, etc.
• Imodium and/or Pepto-Bismol for stomach issues
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibiotic ointment
• Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. 
• Plain yogurt for gut issues
• Pumpkin for constipation or diarrhea
• Ace/elastic bandages can be good for wounds and decrease anxiety if wrapped around the dog’s torso.
• Towels  can be used as splints, to keep scared dogs from biting, as a sling to  lift your larger dog if you have a second person, etc.

In addition, sources to have available such as 

• A dog first aid book that can serve as a great reference, especially if the internet isn’t available.
• An internet dog first aid site so you can access it quickly.

Having a plan for emergency situations can help you help your dog until you can get him or her to the vet.

 

Having knowledge of dog first aid helps when the need arises.

Having  an arsenal of tools on hand, whether physically or mentally, can help  you be prepared for most situations.  It doesn’t have to be terribly  expensive.  You’re more likely to feel prepared instead of helpless. And  if you feel prepared, you can help your dog cope.  The vet’s job will  be easier too. 

Do  you have supplies or a plan for taking care of your dog when you can’t  immediately get assistance from the vet? Tell me what steps you’ve taken  in the comments below.