19 Items to Pack In Your Dog Hiking First Aid Kit
As the weather warms up and we start to spend more time outdoors with our pets, we must remain cognizant of the fact that the outdoors pose many risk factors that can be harmful to dogs. In the same way humans must prepare for the outdoors (i.e. apply sunscreen and mosquito repellent, wear sunglasses, bring water and bandaids), your dog’s health and safety while on the trail deserves just as much thought.
Some of the risk factors for dogs while hiking include:
- mosquitos
- ticks
- snakes
- sticks
- sharp rocks
- poisonous plants
- UV rays, and more.
All these elements can potentially cause swelling, cuts, burns, allergic reactions, and heatstroke in our furry friends. You may notice that many of these factors are also risks to humans – so packing some essential items in your dog first aid kit can also serve and a double bonus for you, too!
19 Items For Your DIY Dog First Aid Kit
- 3% Hydrogen Peroxide* (with appropriate administration and dosages listed)
- Liquid Benadryl*
- Alcohol Wipes
- Vet records with list of emergency vet clinics and phone numbers
- Extra leash
- Extra poop bags (cuz you just never know!)
- Small flashlight (in case you lose something and it gets dark)
- Towel
- Shears (for cutting gauze, tape, or those pesky burrs)
- Vaseline/Neosporin (for dry, cracked, or cut paws)
- Gauze and tape
- Syringe (to administer liquid meds)
- Tweezers (for ticks or other objects)
- Extra bottle of water (overheating can happen and, not only is water good for drinking, but it’s also great for cooling down – especially if you’re not near a water source)
- Pet sunscreen with aloe vera
- Hydrocortisone (for insect bites and swelling)
- Healthy dog treats
- Instant cold pack
- Saline solution (for washing wounds and flushing eyes)
*Always consult your veterinarian prior to administering any medications.
Planning to carry chewable pet medication?
>>> Administer pet meds while on the trail with Wrap-Ups mess-free pill-stashing treats
If you plan to carry chewable medication on the trail, don’t forget to pack some way to disguise the pill. We wouldn’t want you to risk your dog spitting it out and, alas, losing the meds somewhere along the trail! Carrying peanut butter around can be bulky and tricky to apply. That’s why Stashios’ line of pliable pill wrappers are designed for stashing your pet’s medication in one easy-to-use and mess-free all-natural treat. Check out the Stashios Wrap-Ups® pill wrapper today for just $6.99 – lasts for up to 30 uses!
Wrap-Ups® Bacon Flavor
NET WT. 2 oz (56 g)
Wrap-Ups® Peanut Butter Flavor
NET WT. 2 oz (56 g)
>>> Learn more about how to administer medication to your pet
It’s a good idea to book a vet visit if you aren’t sure what dosage your pet can handle and you are planning on taking your pup on hikes and camping trips this season for the first time. Administering too much hydrogen peroxide can be deadly; however, not administering any can also be deadly depending upon your dog’s reaction. So it’s always best to be prepared before you head out into the wilderness with your furry companion.
Affordable Pet First Aid Kits
As you can typically find many of these items lying around your home already, you can also purchase your own dog first aid kit for an affordable rate. Feel confident while out adventuring with your dog – check out this kit by Adventure Medical Kits for $25 available at your local REI – it even includes a pet first aid manual!
Happy hiking!
