pet first aid for dogs and cats

Pet first aid can help you respond safely while you get your dog or cat the veterinary care they need. In an emergency, stay calm, protect yourself from bites or scratches, and focus on getting your pet to the right care quickly.

Call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency animal hospital for a serious injury or emergency. If you suspect poisoning, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away. For severe or life-threatening signs, prioritize emergency veterinary care.

This guide covers what to do in some of the most common pet emergencies, what to keep in a first aid kit, and the signs that mean you should not wait to call the vet.

First, stay calm and stay safe

An injured or frightened pet may bite or scratch, even if they normally don’t. Protect yourself before trying to help.

Approach your pet slowly and calmly. If you need to move them, use a towel or blanket for support when appropriate. Cats are generally safer to handle with a towel and carrier. A muzzle may help with some injured dogs, but never muzzle a pet that is having trouble breathing, vomiting, or overheating.

Common emergencies and what to do

Some emergencies require immediate action on the way to veterinary care. Use these quick guides to get started:

First aid

Choking or not breathing

If your pet cannot breathe or is choking, get them help immediately. If you can safely see and remove an object from the mouth, do so carefully without pushing it farther down. If your pet is not breathing, pet CPR may be needed while you get emergency veterinary help.

Band-aid, wound, bleeding icon.

Severe bleeding

For severe external bleeding, use clean gauze or cloth to apply firm, direct pressure to the wound. If blood soaks through, add more material on top rather than removing the first layer. Get to the nearest veterinary hospital as quickly as possible.

Poisons

Poisoning

If your pet may have eaten, inhaled, or been exposed to something toxic, remove them from the source and contact your veterinarian or animal poison control right away. Keep the product packaging, label, or other information about the substance if you can do so safely.

Do not induce vomiting or give your pet a home remedy unless a veterinarian or animal poison control professional instructs you to. The safest response depends on what your pet was exposed to, how much, when, and your pet's condition.

Help for pet poisoning: what to do right now | Common pet poisons list

Dog with exclamation point, unconscious

Heatstroke

Heatstroke can become life-threatening quickly. Move your pet out of direct heat and begin appropriate cooling while heading to a veterinary hospital. Do not delay veterinary care because your pet seems to improve.

How to help a pet with heatstroke

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Bloat

A swollen or painful belly combined with repeated unproductive retching can be a sign of bloat, also called gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). This life-threatening emergency does not heal on its own and requires immediate veterinary care.

Learn the signs of bloat

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If you need help from a veterinary professional to determine if your pet is having an emergency, reach out 24/7 through Pet Chat™*. This service is available for all pets on Optimum Wellness Plans®. Learn more about Pet Chat 

Build a pet first aid kit

A first aid kit can help you handle minor injuries and provide basic care while you contact your veterinary team or travel to a hospital. Keep it somewhere easy to reach and check it regularly so supplies are ready when you need them.

Useful supplies include:

  • Gauze pads and rolls
  • Self-adhering vet wrap
  • Sterile saline
  • Blunt-nosed scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Digital thermometer
  • Styptic powder
  • A clean towel or blanket
  • An emergency contact card with your veterinarian, nearest emergency hospital, and animal poison control numbers

Your kit should support basic first aid, not replace veterinary treatment. Avoid giving human medications or using leftover prescriptions.

See our full guide on how to build a pet first aid kit

When to call the vet right away

Some signs mean your pet needs immediate veterinary attention. Go to the nearest emergency animal hospital if your pet has:

  • trouble breathing
  • pale, blue, or white gums
  • collapse or inability to stand
  • severe or uncontrolled bleeding
  • a seizure lasting more than five minutes or repeated seizures
  • repeated unproductive retching with a swollen or painful belly
  • straining to urinate without producing urine, especially in a male cat
  • another sudden, severe, or life-threatening change

When in doubt, call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital. It is safer to have a concerning symptom evaluated than to wait for it to become more serious.

When to call the vet for a dog or cat

Save animal poison control numbers

It’s a good idea to have animal poison control numbers saved in your phone before you need them. If your pet may have been exposed to a poisonous substance, don't wait for symptoms before getting guidance.

Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661 — available 24/7 (fee applies)

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435 — available 24/7 (fee applies)

If your pet is having trouble breathing, has collapsed, is having severe seizures, or has another life-threatening sign, go to the nearest emergency animal hospital immediately. If you can, call ahead while you are on the way.

Prepare a pet emergency go-bag

A pet emergency go bag keeps essentials ready if you need to evacuate or shelter in place during a disaster. Include food and water, medications, identification and medical records, a leash or carrier, sanitation supplies, and familiar comfort items.

The bag should be somewhere easy to grab, and check it regularly so supplies are current. A go bag is different from a first aid kit — it helps you care for your pet during an evacuation or disaster, while a first aid kit contains supplies for basic first aid.

Learn more: Pet emergency go bag: what to pack for dogs and cats

Kaylin Wells, DVM, weighing a cat during an exam

How Banfield helps

Your Banfield veterinary team can help with routine care, minor injuries, and many illnesses. Use the Banfield location finder so you know where to go before you need care.

Find a Banfield near you

Some situations require a 24-hour emergency animal hospital or other emergency facility. If your pet has severe or life-threatening signs, don't delay emergency care while trying to reach a daytime veterinary clinic.

Pets on Optimum Wellness Plans® get one waived emergency or specialty exam fee (up to $300 value) at VCA or BluePearl Hospitals. (Available at participating locations.) That’s just one way OWPs help make petcare more affordable.

See what else is included in OWPs

Pet first aid FAQs

Stay calm, protect yourself from bites or scratches, and quickly assess whether your pet needs emergency veterinary care. For serious or life-threatening signs, contact the nearest emergency animal hospital and follow their instructions while you travel there.

Common pet emergencies include choking or breathing problems, severe bleeding, poisoning, heatstroke, and bloat. Each requires a different response, so use the appropriate first aid guide for step-by-step instructions.

Basic supplies include gauze, self-adhering vet wrap, sterile saline, blunt-nosed scissors, tweezers, a digital thermometer, styptic powder, a clean towel or blanket, and emergency contact information. Keep the kit easy to access and replace used or expired supplies. See what else goes in in a pet first aid kit.

Trouble breathing, pale or blue gums, collapse, severe bleeding, prolonged or repeated seizures, unproductive retching with a swollen belly, and inability to urinate are examples of signs that need immediate veterinary attention. When you're unsure, call your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital.

Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control service as soon as you suspect an exposure. Keep the product label or packaging available if possible. If your pet has severe or life-threatening signs, go directly to the nearest emergency animal hospital.

Move slowly, keep your face away from your pet's mouth, and avoid hugging or restraining an injured pet unnecessarily. A towel or blanket may help you safely move a frightened pet. Get veterinary help as quickly as possible for serious injuries or emergency signs.

Be ready, and know where to go

The best time to make an emergency plan is before you need it. Save your veterinarian's number, the nearest emergency animal hospital, and animal poison control in your phone.

Keep a stocked first aid kit where you can reach it quickly and have an emergency go bag ready if you can. For more help on how to be prepared for a pet emergency, talk to your Banfield veterinarian.

A puppy sleeps on the couch with a house cat

*Due to state telehealth laws, Pet Chat may be unavailable or limited in some states.

Important Notice: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a veterinarian with any questions regarding your pet's health or medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional veterinary advice based on information from this page.

About the reviewer

Morgan Taylor-Rakocevic, VMD

Program Manager Veterinary Standards

Dr. Taylor-Rakocevic has been with Banfield since 2017. She graduated with her VMD from University of Pennsylvania in 20...

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