It can happen to you! Dangerous accidents involving you or your pet can happen even in the privacy of your own home. Be prepared with materials to help get yourself or your pet to a doctor or vet.

Even if an emergency is not the case, who wants to be fumbling through a medical cabinet after being stung by a bee? It’s so much easier and more comfortable to be able to open a box and find everything you need to treat minor injuries for you and your pet.

Here is a list of everything you need for a Home First Aid Kit (animals and humans).

Adhesive tape and gauze pads

To protect wounds.

Antacid tablets

For you and your pet (1/2 tablet).

A folded bedsheet

To provide covered areas for people and pets; to make bandages.

Baby aspirin

For children, adults, and pets. Take two if you suspect you are having a heart attack, then call 911. (Never give Tylenol or ibuprofen to animals)

Bactine and Calamine (or any similar item)

For insect bites and rashes

3” ACE bandage (with or without clips)

To wrap sprains, fix splints.

Adhesive bandages (all sizes)

For smaller, minor injuries.

Benadryl or other oral antihistamine

Use the liquid kind for sensitive people (dye-free). For animals, give a child size dose. Avoid antihistamine creams which can cause allergic reactions.

Rubber exam gloves

Always important to protect yourself from diseases!

Antibiotic cream

Non-adhesive pads

Freezer bag and plastic sandwich bags

To fill with ice, or collect samples of…whatever…to take to the doctor or vet.

Big and little safety pins

To remove splinters

Scissors

Triangular bandage

For a sling, tourniquet, or bandage.

Tweezers

Matches

To sterilize instruments or remove ticks. (heat metal instruments until red and glowing)

Rubbing alcohol

To sterilize wounds and instruments.

Hydrogen peroxide

Virtually painless way to clean out a wound.

Frostbite kit

If you live in very cold climates.

Snakebite kit or Spider bite kit

Depending on your geographic location.

*Ask your doctor for anything else you may need.

Specific for your pets:

Valerian root (dogs only)

Give to panicked animals that need to calm down in order to go to the vet.

Styptic powder

In case you clipped nails too close.

Water container with lid

Leash and collars

Keep these exclusively for the first aid kit; you don’t want to hunt for them in a sticky situation.

All can be found at your local pharmacy and/or grocery store.