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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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pet first aid basics for dogs and cats

Pet first aid is the immediate care you give a dog or cat to help keep them safe and stable while you arrange veterinary care.

First aid is not a replacement for seeing a veterinarian. For a serious injury or illness, contact your vet or the nearest emergency veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

If your pet is having an emergency, the first thing to do is stay calm, protect yourself from bites or scratches, and focus on getting veterinary help quickly. Basic first aid can help stabilize your pet or prevent further harm while you get them to the veterinarian.

The most important pet first aid basics to know are how to respond to choking, severe bleeding, poisoning, heatstroke, bloat, and shock. It is also important to keep a pet first aid kit and emergency contact information ready before you need them.

Stay calm and stay safe first

A frightened, injured, or pet in pain may bite or scratch, even if they are normally gentle. Your safety comes first.

Approach your pet slowly and speak in a calm voice. Keep your face away from their mouth, and avoid hugging or tightly restraining a pet in pain. If necessary, use a towel or another safe barrier to help protect yourself while moving them.

Don’t attempt first aid if it puts you at risk. Instead, call a veterinarian or emergency hospital and ask for instructions on how to safely handle and transport your pet.

If another person is available, have them call the veterinarian while you stay with your pet. Be ready to tell the veterinary team:

what happened
when it happened
what signs your pet is showing
whether your pet may have eaten or contacted anything unusual
what medications your pet takes
any known medical conditions

A dog laying next to its owner and a car

Know the most common emergencies

Pet emergencies can worsen quickly. First aid may help stabilize your pet, but it should not delay getting them to see a veterinarian.

Choking or not breathing

Choking is a life-threatening emergency. Signs can include gagging, pawing at the mouth, difficulty breathing, gasping, or blue, gray, or white gums.

If your pet is choking, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. If you can clearly see an object in the mouth and can safely remove it, you may be able to do so carefully. Do not blindly reach into your pet's throat or push an object farther down.

If your pet is unconscious and not breathing, pet CPR may be needed while you arrange emergency care. CPR is a skill best learned before an emergency occurs.

Severe bleeding

If your pet has an external wound that is bleeding heavily, immediately take them to get veterinary care. Place a clean cloth or towel over the area and apply firm, steady pressure.

Keep pressure on the wound rather than repeatedly lifting the cloth to check it. If blood soaks through, place additional cloth or towels over the first layer instead of removing it.

Keep your pet as quiet as possible and travel to a veterinary hospital. Continue applying pressure during transport if you can do so safely.

Download more about abrasions and lacerations

Poisoning

Suspected poisoning is a veterinary emergency. A pet may appear normal after ingesting a dangerous substance, and some poisons can cause delayed symptoms.

If your pet may have eaten, inhaled, or contacted something toxic:

Move your pet away from the substance if you can do so safely.
Keep the product packaging, label, medication bottle, or other information about the substance.
Call your veterinarian or a pet poison-control service immediately.
Follow the instructions you are given.

Do not induce vomiting or give your pet a home antidote unless directed by a veterinarian or poison-control professional. The appropriate response depends on the substance, amount, species, and your pet's health.

Common pet poisons

Help for pet poisoning

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency. Possible signs include heavy or rapid panting, excessive drooling, weakness, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal-colored gums, collapse, or loss of consciousness.

Move your pet out of direct heat and begin cooling them while you get them to a veterinary hospital. Use room-temperature water and wet towels around areas such as the neck, armpits, and groin. Replace the towels as they warm.

Do not delay veterinary care to cool your pet completely at home. Call the veterinary hospital on the way so the team can prepare for your arrival.

Bloat

Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a life-threatening emergency. The stomach can become severely distended and may twist, cutting off blood supply.

Possible signs include:

a swollen or painful abdomen
repeated attempts to vomit without producing anything
restlessness or pacing
excessive drooling
weakness
collapse

If you suspect bloat, go to an emergency veterinary hospital immediately. There is no safe home treatment that can correct a twisted stomach, so do not wait to see whether symptoms improve.

Learn about what causes bloat in dogs

Shock

Shock can occur after severe injury, blood loss, poisoning, heatstroke, or other serious medical problems. Pets in shock should get medical attention immediately.

Possible signs of shock include:

severe weakness
pale or abnormal-colored gums
rapid breathing
a weak pulse
cool limbs
confusion
collapse

If you think your pet is in shock, keep them quiet and minimize movement while you travel to a veterinary hospital. Help them stay comfortably warm unless overheating or heatstroke is the concern. Do not give food, water, or medication unless directed by a veterinary professional.

Have a plan before you need one

The best time to prepare for a pet emergency is before it happens. Having a plan can help you act quickly instead of trying to find supplies or contact information while your pet is hurt or sick.

Your emergency plan should include:

The phone number for your regular veterinarian
The location and phone number of the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital. If you travel with your pet, find one at your destination before you leave.
Your pet's current medications and important medical information
Instructions for safely transporting your pet
The numbers for Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435). (Fees apply)
A plan for who will care for your pet if you are away

Keep a pet first aid kit somewhere easy to reach. Basic supplies are clean gauze, bandages, disposable gloves, clean towels, and other items.

See our cat and dog first aid kits guide for more information about what to keep on hand.

When first aid is not enough

First aid buys time. It does not treat the underlying cause of a serious emergency.

Your pet should receive immediate veterinary care for signs such as:

Kiera Kienle, DVM, and Taylor, CVT, examines the claws and paw of a Siamese cat

difficulty breathing or not breathing
severe or uncontrolled bleeding
collapse or loss of consciousness
seizures
severe or persistent pain
a swollen abdomen or repeated unproductive retching
suspected poisoning
heatstroke
major trauma
pale, blue, gray, or otherwise abnormal gums
sudden severe weakness or confusion
inability to stand or walk normally
sudden loss of coordination or balance

If you are unsure if your pet urgently needs care, call your veterinarian, reach out to us 24/7 on Pet Chat™ * (available for pets on Optimum Wellness Plans®), or contact your nearest emergency veterinary hospital for guidance. Do not wait for a serious condition to become more obvious before asking for help.

Pet first aid basics FAQs

What is pet first aid?

Pet first aid is the immediate care you provide to help keep a dog or cat safe and stable while arranging veterinary care. It may include applying pressure to bleeding, beginning cooling for heatstroke, or responding to a choking emergency. First aid does not replace diagnosis or treatment from a veterinarian.

What are the most common pet emergencies?

Common pet emergencies include choking, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, poisoning, heatstroke, bloat, seizures, major injuries, and collapse. These conditions can become serious quickly, so prompt veterinary care is important.

What do I do before I get to the vet?

Keep your pet as calm and still as possible, protect yourself from bites or scratches, and provide appropriate first aid if you know how. Call the veterinary hospital so the team can advise you and prepare for your arrival. Do not give medications, induce vomiting, or attempt other treatments unless directed by a veterinary professional.

What should I do if my pet is in shock?

Treat suspected shock as an emergency and get your pet to a veterinary hospital immediately. Keep your pet quiet, minimize movement, and keep them comfortably warm unless they are overheated. Do not give food, water, or medication unless a veterinarian tells you to.

How do I keep a hurt pet calm and safe?

Approach slowly and speak calmly. Keep your face and hands away from your pet's mouth because pain and fear can cause them to bite, even if they are normally gentle. Use a towel or another safe barrier if needed, minimize movement, and get veterinary guidance as soon as possible.

Is there a pet first aid course or app?

Yes. Pet first aid and CPR courses are available through organizations such as the American Red Cross, which also offers pet first aid resources and an app. Learning basic first aid before an emergency can help you respond more confidently, but training does not replace veterinary care.

Be prepared with Banfield

Keep a first aid kit ready, save emergency and poison-control numbers, know where to go for urgent veterinary care, and learn the basics before you need them.

Establish care at Banfield and make an appointment.

Find a Banfield near you

A man on his mobile phone with his Labrador retriever in his lap

*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.