First Aid Kit for Dogs: Whacha Need

Exploring the great outdoors with your dog can be wonderful and exciting, but it can also sometimes be dangerous. Be prepared by keeping a first aid kit for your dog in your car. Backpacking or camping? Bring a mini-kit with you on the adventure. Here's a sampling of what I keep in my first aid kit for the adventure dogs. What else do you use? Have you had to use it? Add your thoughts to the comments below.

Everything in red is what you should have on your person on the trail. The rest can be stored in a first aid kit in your vehicle.

First Aid Kit for Your Dog - Contents

• Betadine - similar to iodine, good to disinfect open wounds

• Collar - there are so many uses, not only as a collar. a leash and a spare collar can be used to make a sling, binding, carrying

• Leash - making a rig to carry your dog, securing your dog

• Bandanna - to cover your dog's eyes if they are in a panic, to cover a wound, use as a makeshift muzzle for a distressed dog, wrapping, binding

• Gauze - covering open wounds before wrapping

• Vet Wrap - must have for any first aid kit. wrapping, securing

• Medical tape - 1" - keeping gauze or dressing in place, very handy for paws

• Benadryl tablets - for allergic reactions

• Athletic Wrap - binding injuries, wrapping sprains, can also be used as a sling

• Medical Scissors - cutting tape or fur around wound sites

• Pocket Knife - must have in your pack or on your person for every hike. for those really desperate moments where you may need to cut a leash or collar, a caught strap, or as a multiple function tool on the trail

• Poop Bags - not just for poop. storing soiled gauze, wrap over an injured paw and secure with medical tape, keeping dirt out of a wound, makeshift glove