This Mini DIY Dog First Aid Kit is perfect for short hikes and trips to the park. Small, water resistant and super portable. Throw one in your pack, your dog’s pack, your purse or your pocket!
I pride myself on being a pretty responsible dog owner. I check out trails ahead of time to make sure they’re a good fit for my dogs. We plan hikes according to the weather and heat index to make sure my dogs are protected from the elements. I carry more than enough water and supplies. They have jackets in the winter and cooling vests and life jackets in the summer. But, there is one thing that I’ve been far too lax about. One thing that I know is a ticking time bomb for my dogs.. and that’s First Aid.
In my SUV, I always have a full-size (human AND dog) first aid kit, but I generally don’t carry one with me on the trail. I also have a small human first aid kit for backpacking, but it’s lacking in dog-specific supplies. I know I really should carry one and I’ve been saying for forever that I need to put one together. Well, this past weekend was the kick in the butt that I needed to finally make a DOY dog first aid kit.
A message from the dog gods…
Robert and I took Helo and Roxie with us on a SUPER easy hike. The trail is flat and smooth… no rocks, no cliffs, no apparent dangers to be seen. Well, about a mile in, Helo started limping pretty significantly. I checked his leg and it seemed fine. I checked his paw and there was a large splinter sticking straight out from the sensitive skin in between his paw pads. Thankfully, it was a large enough piece that I could remove it with my hand. BUT what if that wasn’t the case? Sure, I have a first aid kit in the car, but even a mile is a long way to walk with something stuck in your paw.
I instantly felt like a terrible dog mom. My poor baby. Sure, I got it out and he was okay, but what if it was something more serious? What if his pad was cut open and he was bleeding? We’ve been REALLY lucky that our dogs have never really gotten hurt on the trail, but luck won’t always be on our side. The next day I decided to make a DIY dog first aid kit. I rummaged through our large first aid kit and our bathroom medicine cabinet and started gathering supplies. Then I went to the dollar store to find a small container and pick up the few things that I was missing.
Introducing our new Mini DIY Dog First Aid Kit
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The main reason why I have neglected to carry a dog first aid kit for so long is the sheer size of our current kit. I love our fill size first aid kit, the Alcott Explorer 40-Piece First Aid Kit for Dogs and People, but I needed a smaller, more portable version. I couldn’t find one with exactly what I wanted, so I decided to make my own DIY dog first aid kit. Most of the components were things that I already had lying around.
The remaining supplies (Benadryl, tweezers, gauze, med tape) I got for $1 each at Dollar Tree. The best find thought was these cool red water-resistant boxes. They snap closed and come in a 3-pack, so each one was only about 33 cents. SCORE! I’m making one for each of our dog’s packs and one to leave in my daypack as well. You can also find similar containers on Amazon if you aren’t as crazy cheap as me and don’t want to drive around Dollar Store hopping, like these.
Here’s what’s inside:
Contents:
- 2 gauze pads
- self-adhesive wrap
- waterproof medical tape
- tweezers (for ticks & splinters)
- q-tips
- 1 pair of latex gloves
- 2 alcohol pads (for wound cleaning)
- 1 styptic pencil (to stop bleeding)
- Benadryl (for allergic reactions, bee stings)**
- Carprofen (anti-inflammatory, pain reliever)**
- Vet info card
**I am NOT a veterinarian. Please do your research and consult your vet for proper dosages and before giving your dogs any new medications.
This kit is not meant to REPLACE a full size first aid kit.
The job of this kit is to hold my dog over in case of an emergency until I can get him/her back to my truck to my full first aid kit and/or to a veterinarian if needed. The mini dog first aid kit is meant to be used for short hikes where you aren’t far from your vehicle. With this kit, I can now treat a bee sting or allergic reaction, remove ticks and splinters, clean and cover an open wound, wrap a hurt paw, stop a stubborn bleed, and combat some other common trail injuries.
Hopefully I won’t ever need it, but I feel 100 times better on the trail now knowing that I have enough supplies to hold my dog over until we get back to my truck, and full first aid kit. For long hikes and backpacking trips, you will want to carry more than this tiny dog first aid kit. For short hikes or even visits to the park, this tiny kit can really help in a pinch.
Emergency Vet Info Card
The other thing that I wanted to include is a place to store vet information. This can be the info to your own vet or the info to a local vet in the area where you’re hiking. We do a lot of hiking away hours from home, where our regular vet is too far of a drive in an emergency. In times like these, it’s a good idea to have local vet info on hand just in case. If your dog is hurt on the trail, you don’t want to waste time trying to find a data connection and Googling. You want to take care of your dog’s immediate needs, get them to your vehicle, and head straight to a vet’s office.
Printable Label & Vet Info Card
Click the image below to download the PDF file with a label for your DIY Dog First Aid Kit and vet info card. Or click here. Then just print it out, tape it to the inside of your first aid kit, and you’ll have the info handy should you need it. (Though hopefully you won’t!)
Well, that’s about it. I hope you find our DIY Dog First Aid Kit helpful. I also hope that you never need to use it. Happy adventuring and stay safe out there!
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Thanks for reading!
Debbie & The Mutts
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45 Comments
This is fabulous, Debbie! And I think I’m going to have to go searching for those EXACT red containers b/c they’re perfect!
Give Helo’s paw a smooch from me…😘
Thanks Alli! That’s exactly what I thought when I found them. And in red too?? It was meant to be. I feel so much safer already. I’d feel so bad if something happened when we were out and I was totally unprepared! I’ll give Helo LOTS of extra smooches for you too 🙂
This is great! It’s perfect size for my purse since I take the dogs out a lot!
Yes, that’s what I was thinking. My biggest hurdle in carrying a first aid kit has always been the size. I’m definitely making one for my pack and my purse as well, in addition to this one that will stay in Boomer’s pack. Glad you enjoyed this post!
This is seriously fabulous. Every pet owner needs to be prepared should an emergency present itself!
Thanks Kristen! I’ve always had a full size kit in my truck, but I really should have been carrying at least SOMETHING on the trail for a while now. You are SO right. Better safe than sorry!
This is so great! I have full-sized kits, but like you, don’t want to drag it everywhere. And what a handy printable label, too.
Thanks Rachel! That’s my whole worry exactly. The big ones are just a bit too heavy and bulky that I never end up having them with me when I really may need it. It was definitely time for a mini kit. Glad you like it!
This is such a great idea, and I love the little red waterproof cases. I love the Dollar Tree, and I should make a trip to make my own first aid kit. Great post.
Dollar Tree is one of my favorite stores.. LOL. I am such a cheapskate and love finding fun things to do with Dollar Store items. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. Good luck making your kit! 🙂
What a sensible idea! Thank you for the inspiration! Indeed it seems some of the seemingly safest places are where the dangers lurk.
I couldn’t agree more. I think we make sure to be extra prepared on big trips and outings that are more out of the ordinary, it’s more likely for you or your dog to get hurt doing something you do everyday. Hopefully that doesn’t happen, but if it does, we’ll be ready! So glad you enjoyed our post. Thanks for reading
I love this! Super cute idea, girl!
I have a pet first aid kit in my car at all times, but this is a great idea for those hikes where you obviously CAN’T bring the whole shebang!!!
Thanks Shelby! So glad you like our post!! 🙂 I have a big kit in my car too, but you are so right, it’s just a LOT to carry. At least now I have enough to get back to the big kit! Thanks for reading
I think it is very smart to have a smaller first aid kit with you on hikes and even walks! I like the bright red, it would be easy to find in my purse or backpack.
Thanks Beth! That’s what I was thinking too! I am making a second one to throw in my purse for regular walks and trips around town. Better safe than sorry. Thanks for reading!
I LOVE this! Our dogs carry one in their backpacks when we hike and camp, but I need to have more stashed around. I do keep large ones at home, but the vet card is a great idea.
I’m so happy to hear that. Way to be prepared! We always bring one camping and backpacking, but I have been way to lax on “regular” hikes about carrying a first aid kit. I’m planning on making a few smaller ones to stash in my packs and purse so we always have one if necessary. Glad you like the vet card idea too! Thanks for reading
Yay! I have a full size first aid kit in my car but did not think to bring a travel size one with me in my grooming bag or on trails. So smart.
Yup, that’s exactly what I’ve always done too. I feel 100x better having a tiny kit that I can stash anywhere and always have on hand just in case. So glad you found this post helpful. 🙂 Thanks for reading
HA! That really is “mini.” And yet seems to have the essentials. Great addition in the form of the vet info card.
Yes, super mini! I wanted something that was small and light enough to stash anywhere. There isn’t a whole lot in there, but I think it should be just enough in a pinch to handle most small injuries until we can get back to the truck or to the vet. I’m so glad you liked the vet info card too. I always worry if we are far from home about having service to find a vet in a pinch. One less thing to worry about! Thanks for reading 🙂
This is a great mini kit to have handy. I use Benadryl in my purse in case I get a bad allergic reaction. That’s neat to know dogs are able to have the same on hand too. Who knew! This in conjunction with knowing CPR is a great way to help be prepared.
I didn’t know about benadryl until it was recommended to me a few years ago. It saved our girl Boomer as a puppy for sure. We were camping on an island and she got into a bee’s nest. She was COVERED in bees. The benadryl made a huge difference!
A pet first aid/CPR class is on my list to take too! Such a great thing to know. Thanks for checking out our kit!
Great ideas, I have First Aid kit for Layla in a make up bag LOL but it is easy to carry around, plus I have the card in my wallet for emergencies – thanks for reminding everyone
That’s great that you carry a first aid kit for Layla. A make up bag is a good idea too! Anything small, portable and convenient. With these water-loving fools we just needed to add “water proof” to that list! lol. First Aid is so important. Thanks for reading!
Looks like a great kit- I need one too. Love your graphics.
Thanks Talent Hounds! It’s a super easy kit to make, and inexpensive too. I feel so much better knowing I have it just in case. And thank you for your kind words about my graphics too. Made me smile 🙂
What a great idea to put together your own first aid kit. I’ve never thought about putting one together, but it’s a great idea, even if the girls don’t travel with me. I need to have one at home.
Thank you! I’m glad you found our post helpful. First aid is super important for our pets. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, just enough to hold them over in an emergency until they can make it to the vet. We have a bigger one at home too. Thanks for reading 🙂
It is such a good idea to carry a first aid kit for your dogs everywhere you take them! I think a lot of people wouldn’t think about having one with them on a hiking trip. Those splinters can be a real pain! Your poor pup. I bet your dog was glad that you had the necessary supplies to remove that. I have a first aid kit for humans and cats in my home. We don’t go out with cats very often, so I don’t have a travel version. Perhaps I should make one just in case!
Thanks Robin! For a long time, I felt “good enough” having a dog-friendly first aid kit in my car, but we’ve started doing longer hikes and I’d just rather be safe than sorry. Thankfully Helo’s splinter wasn’t too bad and he was back to normal a few hours after I got it out. It made me realize how badly I really did need a more portable kit though.
I love that you have a cat first aid kit at home. They have specific first aid needs just like dogs do. I think too many people don’t think about things like first aid for their animals. Thanks for reading
This is a great idea! We don’t go on hikes but if we ever did we would definitely make sure we had something similar with us.
Thank you! I’m so glad you found our post helpful. I’m actually planning to make another kit to keep in my purse now too for the dog park and walks around the neighborhood. 🙂
Thank you for the reminder! I don’t go hiking, but it’s still a really good idea to keep a kit like this in close reach. Never know what might happen. And, you’ve given me an excuse to go to Dollar Tree (love Dollar Tree!)
HAHA! ANY excuse to go to the Dollar Tree! 🙂 I love that place too. I always go there for containers and holiday decorations! A mini first aid kit is definitely a great thing to have on hand just in case, whether you’re in the woods or not. Thanks for reading 🙂
I have a tiny first aid kit from REI that I take on hikes. It’s geared towards humans though so I should probably add a few things.
We have a little one that we take backpacking too, but I feel 100x better having dog specific supplies on hand now, even on smaller hikes.
This is so awesome!!! I definitely need to put one of these together for my cats for when we go out adventuring. Will definitely be using your list and hitting up Dollar Store! Thank you so much!!!
Awesome! I’m so glad you found our post helpful. These little boxes from the dollar store are PERFECT for a first aid kit for your adventure cats. Good luck making your kit and happy adventuring!
Very awesome. I just expanded my emergency kits after getting a horrible rope burn two weeks ago and realizing that I was lacking some stuff for treating humans. I should also put together a little one for hiking. Something you don’t have in this that I would highly recommend is single-use ampules of saline. If you need to flush a wound, flush something out of an eye, etc, it is great to have sterile saline along, and since they come in ampules, they don’t take up much space. My rope burn would have been much more likely to get infected had we not flushed it before wrapping it up.
Ooh, ouch! I hope your rope burn is getting better. I do have single-use saline bottles in the first aid kit in my truck. This kit is mostly to get the dogs back to the car to the real kit in case of an emergency, so I could rinse wound etc once we got back. I did try to put one in here but they were just a BIT too big. I may keep looking for smaller ones though. Thanks for the input.!
I am starting to make a list from all of the suggestions and making kits as we are starting to adventure out more with Joey and Elsa.
That’s awesome! Good luck putting together your kit and happy adventuring! I know you’ll feel 100x better knowing you have the basics in case of an emergency. I sure do! Thanks for reading
[…] stocked kit in my truck (when we are on shorter hikes) and bring a mini kit on hikes. Check out our DIY Dog First Aid kit post for tips on making your […]