# Pet First Aid Kits (2026): What to Pack, and the Numbers to Save > The AVMA's pet first aid kit list, the two animal poison control numbers to save, why hydrogen peroxide waits for a vet's go-ahead, and kits and items to buy. - Source: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits - Publisher: PetProofLab (https://petprooflab.com) - Published: 2026-09-28 - Category: grooming-health - Tags: pet first aid kit, dog first aid, cat first aid, animal poison control, hydrogen peroxide, pet emergency, dog muzzle - Method: picks chosen from Amazon listings and brand specs; not hands-on tested; current Amazon prices are on the page; content checked 2026-09-28. - Quick answer: Save two numbers in your phone today: ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661, both open 24/7; both say a fee may apply. Then build a kit from the AVMA's list: a digital thermometer, a muzzle, a spare leash, gauze, nonstick bandages, self-adhering tape, blunt scissors, tweezers, saline and your vet's number. A ready-made kit such as the ARCA PET or EVERLIT covers most of the bandaging; add a muzzle and slip leash yourself. Keep 3% hydrogen peroxide only to use if your vet or poison control tells you to. ## Key takeaways - Save ASPCA Animal Poison Control, (888) 426-4435, and Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24/7 and both say a consultation fee may apply. - The AVMA's kit list starts with phone numbers and your pet's medical record, then a digital thermometer, a muzzle, a spare leash and collar, gauze, nonstick bandages and self-adhering tape. - Hydrogen peroxide is only for inducing vomiting when a vet or poison control center says so, and the AVMA says never on wounds. - An injured pet may bite: the AVMA says keep your face away from its mouth and use a muzzle if it threatens to bite, but never on a pet that is vomiting. - First aid gets your pet to the vet; the AVMA says it is not a substitute for veterinary care. ## Products (chosen from listings, not tested) 1. **ARCA PET Cat and Dog First Aid Kit, 100 Pieces** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B09FKVQQVH) — The fuller ready-made kit here, with a thermometer included. - Pros: Over 100 items including a pet thermometer, a medicine feeder and a tick remover, per the listing; Includes a first aid manual; reflective zipper and fluorescent lettering to find it in the dark; Sold by ARCA PET, the brand's own store - Cons: The listing names only a few of its 100 items, so check the contents against the AVMA list when it arrives 2. **EVERLIT Pet Medic First Aid Kit, 95 Pieces** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B0DDWFX242) — A compact bandaging kit for the car or a day pack. - Pros: Sterile gauze pads, non-adherent pads, vet wrap, self-adhesive elastic bandage and cleansing wipes, per the listing; Metal tick remover, pet nail clippers, thermal blankets and ice packs; Hard-shell, water-resistant EVA case; sold by EverLit Survival, the brand's store - Cons: No thermometer or muzzle is listed; buy those separately 3. **ADC Adtemp 422 Digital Veterinary Thermometer** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B000EW48NY) — The digital thermometer the AVMA kit list calls for, made for veterinary use. - Pros: Reads in about 10 seconds with a tone when done; 90 to 109.9 °F range, per ADC; Five probe sheaths and a storage cover included; replaceable LR41 battery; Two-year warranty; sold by Amazon.com - Cons: A stick thermometer; have a helper hold your pet, and ask your vet how to take a reading 4. **Baskerville Ultra Dog Muzzle, Size 4** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B00596TFVA) — A muzzle to own before you need one, and to practice with on calm days. - Pros: Basket design lets a dog pant and drink, per the listing; Can be heat-shaped in warm water to fit the nose; six sizes; Padded straps, lockable neck clip; sold by Amazon.com - Cons: Sizing matters: check Baskerville's fitting guide before choosing a size 5. **OVIK Health PetFlex No Chew Self-Adhering Bandage, 2 in, 2 Rolls** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B0DVTC58FY) — The self-adhering tape the AVMA list names, with a chew deterrent. - Pros: Sticks to itself, not to skin, hair or fur, and tears by hand, per the listing; Contains bitterants meant to deter chewing; 2 in by 5 yd rolls; Sold by Ovik Health, the brand's store - Cons: OVIK says results of the bitterant vary; watch your pet after wrapping 6. **Fida Slip Lead Dog Leash, 6 ft** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B08Y5RYPTS) — The spare leash on the AVMA list, in a form that fits any dog in a hurry. - Pros: Loop slips over the head, so no collar or harness is needed, per the listing; 1/2 in nylon rope with reflective strips; an anti-choke ring is included, per the listing; Sold by FIDA PET, the brand's store - Cons: A slip lead tightens when pulled; it is a spare for emergencies, not an everyday leash 7. **Miracle Care Kwik Stop Styptic Powder, 0.5 oz** (details: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B0002H3RBU) — The powder to keep with the nail clippers for a quicked nail. - Pros: Styptic powder with benzocaine to stop minor bleeding, for dogs, cats and birds, per the listing; Applied with a moistened cotton applicator and moderate pressure for 5 to 10 seconds; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: The listing says to avoid deep wounds and body cavities; it is for nails and minor cuts Every pet home needs two phone numbers saved and a small kit built from the AVMA's list. The numbers are ASPCA Animal Poison Control, (888) 426-4435, and Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. The kit is mostly bandaging supplies you can buy ready-made, plus three things kits often skip: a muzzle, a spare leash and a digital thermometer. This page walks through the AVMA's [first aid tips for pet owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners), what the poison lines say about calling, and seven kits and items sold by Amazon.com or the brand's own store. **How we chose:** we did not test these products; we matched listings against the AVMA's kit list and kept only items sold by Amazon.com or the brand's own store that were in stock on September 28, 2026. ## The numbers to save first | Service | Phone, as the service prints it | Hours | Cost to call | |---|---|---|---| | [ASPCA Animal Poison Control](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) | (888) 426-4435 | 24 hours, 365 days a year | "A consultation fee may apply" | | [Pet Poison Helpline](https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/) | (855) 764-7661 | 24/7 | A per-incident fee applies, with follow-up consultations included | | Your own vet | Save it | Office hours | Ask | | Nearest 24-hour emergency vet | Save it | 24 hours | Ask | The AVMA gives both poison numbers on its first aid page and says "a consultation fee may apply for hotline/helpline calls." It also suggests that when you travel, you look up "a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital in the area where you will be visiting." If you call, the AVMA says to have ready the species, breed, age, sex and weight of the animal, its symptoms, the name of the substance, how much and how long ago, and the product container or packaging. ## Kits and items side by side | Product | What it covers | Sold by | Amazon price | |---|---|---|---| | [ARCA PET First Aid Kit, 100 pieces](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B09FKVQQVH) | Bandaging, thermometer, tick remover, manual | ARCA PET | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [EVERLIT Pet Medic Kit, 95 pieces](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B0DDWFX242) | Bandaging, tick remover, nail clippers, thermal blankets | EverLit Survival | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [ADC Adtemp 422 Thermometer](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B000EW48NY) | Digital thermometer | Amazon.com | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Baskerville Ultra Muzzle, Size 4](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B00596TFVA) | Muzzle | Amazon.com | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [PetFlex No Chew Bandage](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B0DVTC58FY) | Self-adhering tape | Ovik Health | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Fida Slip Lead, 6 ft](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B08Y5RYPTS) | Spare leash | FIDA PET | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Kwik Stop Styptic Powder](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits#product-B0002H3RBU) | Nail and minor-cut bleeding | Amazon.com | see the current Amazon price on the page | ## What the AVMA says to pack The AVMA says to "keep a kit of basic first aid supplies for the pets in your household," that "many items in a family first aid kit can be used for pets, too," and that your vet may add items for your pet's condition. Its list, grouped: **Paperwork** - Important phone numbers: veterinarian, emergency hospital, poison control, animal control, nonemergency police - A copy of your pet's medical record, including any medications **Handling and restraint** - Muzzle to prevent bites (the AVMA's caveat: "DO NOT muzzle your pet if they are vomiting") - Spare leash and collar - Clean towels for restraining cats, cleaning or padding **Wound care** - Gauze roll, for wrapping wounds or muzzling an injured animal - Nonstick bandages or strips of clean cloth to control bleeding or protect wounds - Self-adhering, nonstick tape for bandages, and adhesive tape to secure them - Scissors with blunt ends - Saline solution for cleansing wounds or flushing eyes (the AVMA says contact lens saline works for most purposes) - Sterile lubricating jelly to protect wounds or eyes **Tools** - Digital thermometer - Disposable gloves, a small flashlight, tweezers - An eye dropper or a large needleless syringe to give oral treatments or flush wounds **Only on instruction** - Activated charcoal: "Use only if instructed to do so by your veterinarian or a poison control center." - 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting (see below) A ready-made kit covers most of the wound care and tools. Check it against this list when it arrives, and add the paperwork, a muzzle, a spare leash and, if your kit has none, a thermometer. For travel, the AVMA suggests "a simpler, travel-sized version of the pet first aid kit you keep at home." ## Hydrogen peroxide: only when a vet or poison control says so Hydrogen peroxide is on the AVMA list with more warnings than any other item. The AVMA's own words: "Always contact your veterinarian or poison control center before inducing vomiting. Do not give more than one dose unless otherwise instructed by your veterinarian. Do not use hydrogen peroxide on wounds." Pet Poison Helpline's emergency instructions say the same thing from the poison side: "Do NOT give any home antidotes" and "Do NOT induce vomiting without consulting a vet or Pet Poison Helpline®." The person on the phone asks what your pet swallowed, how much and when before deciding. So keep a bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide in the kit, and treat it as something you use only when told to. The AVMA's poisoning advice starts with the label: if a toxic product gets on your pet's skin or in its eyes, follow the label's instructions for people. If it says to wash with soap and water, wash your pet (keeping it out of the eyes, mouth and nose); if it says to flush with water, flush, and then call a vet. Our [pet-safe plants and cleaners guide](https://petprooflab.com/home-beds/pet-safe-plants-and-cleaners) covers the household hazards the ASPCA sees most, including lilies for cats. ## Before you touch an injured pet The AVMA warns that an injured pet can be "unpredictable or even dangerous," even a gentle one. To protect you both, it says: - Avoid any attempt to hug an injured pet. - Keep your face away from your pet's mouth. - Apply a muzzle if your pet threatens to bite. - Whenever possible, ask other people to help you move your pet. A basket muzzle like the Baskerville Ultra lets a dog pant and drink, per the listing, but it only works if it fits and your dog has seen it before. Practice with treats on calm days. For a cat, the AVMA lists clean towels for restraint. ## What the AVMA says to do in the most common emergencies **Bleeding and fractures.** The AVMA says to gently lay the pet on a flat surface and, if possible and safe, stabilize the injury, but "a poorly applied bandage or splint can do more harm than good," so leave that to the vet if you are unsure. Transport a small pet in a carrier; for a large dog, use a board or blanket as a stretcher. Signs of internal bleeding include bleeding from the nose, mouth or rectum, pale gums, collapse and a weak, rapid pulse. **Heatstroke.** Signs include heavy panting, drooling, weakness, confusion, vomiting and abnormal gums. The AVMA says to head for the nearest vet "and begin cooling them right away": move the pet to shade, place towels wetted with room-temperature water around the neck, armpits and groin, rewet them every few minutes, and use a fan. It says to avoid a tub of cool or cold water, "which can make their condition worse." **After any first aid.** "Any first aid administered to your pet should be followed by immediate veterinary care," per the AVMA. This page is general information, not veterinary advice ([more on that](https://petprooflab.com/about#veterinary)); ask your vet what to add to the kit for your own pet. ## Kits we left out, and why The **Kurgo**, **RC Pet Products** and **Adventure Medical Kits** dog first aid kits were all listed on Amazon, but each was offered only by a third-party seller when we checked (not Amazon.com or a store in the brand's name), so they did not meet our seller rule. So was 3M Vetrap bandaging tape. For a nail trimmed too short, the styptic powder above goes with the tools in our [nail clipper and grinder guide](https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/dog-nail-clippers-and-grinders). We found no FDA or CPSC recalls of these brands on our [pet recall list](https://petprooflab.com/recalls). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the phone number for animal poison control? ASPCA Animal Poison Control is (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline is (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24 hours a day, and both say a consultation fee may apply. ### Should I make my dog vomit with hydrogen peroxide? Only if your vet or a poison control center tells you to. The AVMA says always contact them first and give no more than one dose unless instructed, and Pet Poison Helpline says not to induce vomiting without consulting a vet or the helpline. ### Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean my pet's wound? No. The AVMA's kit list says "Do not use hydrogen peroxide on wounds." It lists saline solution for cleansing wounds instead. ### Is a human first aid kit good enough for a pet? Partly. The AVMA says many items in a family kit can be used for pets, but a pet kit should add a muzzle, a spare leash and collar, a digital thermometer, your pet's records and the poison control numbers. --- *PetProofLab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We did not test these products; contents and features are the makers' own, from their listings, and first aid advice is the AVMA's and the poison control services'.* ## Sources - American Veterinary Medical Association: [First aid tips pet owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - ASPCA: [ASPCA Animal Poison Control](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) - Pet Poison Helpline: [Pet Poison Helpline page](https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com) --- Last updated: 2026-09-28 Canonical URL: https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits How to cite: "Pet First Aid Kits (2026): What to Pack, and the Numbers to Save", PetProofLab, https://petprooflab.com/grooming-health/pet-first-aid-kits (checked 2026-09-28). Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate PetProofLab earns from qualifying purchases. Safety information summarizes public guidance and is not medical advice.