Pet first aid tips

We all hate seeing our fur babies get hurt or sick, but we know it happens. But do you as a pet parent know some pet first aid to help them out after talking to vet, but before you get them to the clinic? Here are a few things you can do if your fur baby, or a neighbourhood pet gets hurt, injured or decides to get their nose into that blood & bone.

If your cat or dog is injured or sick, it’s important that you take a quick pause, have a deep breath and try and stay calm so you don’t stress your pet out more than they already will be. Then:

Call your vet immediately once you notice your fur baby or a pet you know is injured or sick.
While you call the vet, check if it is obvious if they have injured themselves – and where. If they aren’t injured and are sick – can you see if they have eaten something that they shouldn’t have?
Listen to your vet’s instructions and if you need to get them to the clinic or after-hours emergency vet, proceed calmly and follow our tips below on getting your sick or injured pet to the vet.

To help you out with how to tell if your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t, been injured or if there is something else happening, there are some key things to look out for while you’re on the phone to your vet or before you leave home.

What to do if you think your pet has been eaten something they shouldn’t have

For example, the pet has consumed a toxic food or rat bait.

Call your vet immediately.
Look around for what they may have eaten – is it food, chemicals or medications?
Take note of what they may have consumed and how much so you can tell your vet.
If possible, collect some of the toxic material or food to take with you to the vet or take pictures of the label.
If your pet is choking on something, make sure you don’t put your hands or object in your pet’s mouth. See if you can see what they are choking on but you shouldn’t spend too long looking. You should head straight to your vet clinic and have someone call ahead to advise you are on their way. It's helpful for vet teams to know they are expecting you, so they are ready to intubate, perform CPR or other treatment if required.

What to do if your pet has been stung or managed to injure themselves

For example, bites, bleeding, broken bones, and burns.

Call your vet immediately - wounds like lacerations and bites need to be seen by a vet urgently.
If your pet is bleeding, apply gentle pressure to help stop the bleeding and place a light dressing over it.
While transporting your pet to the vet, keep them warm and as comfortable as possible and secure them (using a carrier or box) in a confined space to avoid further injury.
For burns, cover the area with a towel or pad dampened with room-temperature water.

Is your pet showing signs of heatstroke or hypothermia?

If your pet is uncomfortable and in distress due to overheating or hypothermia (too cold), contact your vet team immediately.
If your pet has overheated, take steps to cool them down using fans, air conditioning or cool, damp towels. Think ‘cool’ not ‘ice-cold’: you should cool your pet down slowly.
If your pet is too cold (hypothermic), wrap them in warm blankets and put a bottle filled with warm water wrapped in a tea towel next to them. Again, avoid extremes – think ‘warm’ not ‘hot’ when trying to warm up your pet.

Other pet health emergencies

If your pet is not breathing or has no heartbeat, take them to the vet immediately. Pet CPR courses are available, but attempting CPR on a pet without proper training isn’t recommended and, unfortunately, is unlikely to be successful.
In the case of breathing difficulties, don’t use a muzzle and try to keep your pet as calm as take them to the vet – distress will make the condition worse.
If your cat or dog is having a seizure, stay calm, handle them very gently and make sure they’re away from potential hazards, like stairways. Be careful since your pet may behave out of character whilst having a seizure and may unintentionally bite. If the seizure lasts more than a few minutes, contact your vet immediately.
Allergies and reactions (e.g., a bee sting) usually present as localised swelling. Some reactions are self-limiting and manageable at home, but others may get worse and in the severest form, anaphylaxis can occur where your pet would experience breathing difficulties or collapse. Contact your vet clinic for advice.

What to do if your pet is sick or injured

Prepare your home and car so you’re ready when they get sick or injured.

You can’t be sure if – or when – your pet might fall sick or get injured. For pet parents, seeing your fur babies in pain can be worrying and stressful. Being prepared could help you act swiftly and confidently in an emergency.

Have a pet first aid kit at home and take a mini version with you (including essentials like a blanket) when travelling or on holiday with your pet.
When travelling with your cat or dog, research and note down the contact details of veterinary clinics and emergency vets near your destination.
Keep a list of important contact numbers (including your pet’s vet), plus important information about your pet (breed, weight, age, allergies, medications, etc.) with your first aid kit. Have a copy handy for pet sitters.
Consider taking a pet first aid course. There are several pet first aid courses available in New Zealand, including Pet First Aid & Training NZ. Do some research into the courses and remember that, while it can be helpful, this training is not a substitute for seeking professional help when your pet needs it.
Ensure your pet is microchipped and your details are up to date on the Companion Animals NZ Register.

Your safety matters too

Approach sick or injured animals carefully. Keep calm, and don’t panic. They’re likely to be in distress, which can cause them to behave out of character, including biting and scratching. Keep your face away from your pet’s mouth and use a muzzle if needed.
Check that the environment is safe. For example, if your pet has burned themselves on the BBQ, turn it off. If you’re outside, make sure you’re not in danger of being hit by traffic. You may need to ask others for help moving the injured animal to a safe place.

Contacting your vet in an emergency

In a pet health emergency, you should contact your vet as soon as possible (or have someone else contact them to let them know you’re on your way).
Have essential information on hand (that’s where the list in your pet first aid kit can come in handy) and explain to your vet what has happened.
Follow your vet’s instructions.
Secure your cat or dog in a carrier or wrap them in a blanket or towel to transport them to the vet. Laundry baskets and cardboard boxes can make good makeshift carriers. If you’re driving to the vet by yourself, put your pet in the passenger-side footwell – not on a seat where they may fall off.
Handle your pet as little as possible, and when you handle them, be gentle. Avoid putting any pressure on their stomach and lie your pet on their side if possible.
If driving, drive calmly and obey the road rules – you don’t want another accident to happen!

Take your pet to the vet

It’s important to say that first aid is not a substitute for professional care – it’s about doing what you can to make your cat or dog more comfortable and safer until you can get them the veterinary treatment they need. If your pet is sick or injured, call your vet.

References

¹Transporting an injured pet: first aid, Veterinary Partner, https://veterinarypartner.vin.com, accessed March 2024.

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How to help your cat or dog before taking them to the vet