DIY First Aid Kit for Your Cat

If your cat had a minor medical emergency, would you be prepared? Before working on this post I was not. I’ve been reading a lot about the importance of having a first aid kit for your cat and I thought it was time for me to put one together. Medical emergencies can occur suddenly without warning (like the time Lola fainted). It’s important to get your cat to the vet immediately, but being prepared for minor emergencies before they happen can be beneficial to both you and your cat.  

Here's how to make a DIY First Aid Kit for your cat.

20 Essential Items for Your Cat's First Aid Kit

Styptic pencil	Nail clippers
Absorbent gauze pads	Small scissors
Tweezers	Non-latex gloves
Flashlight	Adhesive tape
Self-adhesive bandage	Cotton balls and swabs
Gauze roll	Hydrogen Peroxide
Alcohol	Instant ice pack
Sterile saline solution	Antiseptic wipes or spray
Antibiotic ointment	Ear cleaning solution
Hydrocortisone cream	Elastic bandage

Other Recommended Items

• Pillowcase - to help confine your cat for treatment or transport.
• Muzzle or strips of cloth - to prevent biting.
• Blanket - to help keep your cat warm.
• Magnifying glass - to help see small things like splinters.
• Towels - to give your cat a place to lie on, and to help clean up afterwards.
• Eyedropper/plastic syringe - to help with administering hydrogen peroxide, saline, etc. Or to help give your cat some water. 
• Your Vet's phone number.
• Medical Records.

A rectal thermometer and petroleum jelly are also recommended items, but this is not something I would be comfortable doing. 

Storage

After you have collected all of your supplies for your first aid kit you need something to store them in. A bag or a plastic bin both work nicely. I bought this plastic tote at The Dollar Tree, and everything fits in it. You may also want to consider something with a handle for easy transport. 

Tips

• Remember to check your kit periodically for expiration dates on items as well as the batteries in your flashlight. 
• Keep it neat and organized. These small containers, also from The Dollar Tree, help organize smaller items. 
• Keep it easily accessible. You don’t want to have to rummage through a cluttered closet in the midst of an emergency. 

Cost

It’s not expensive to make! I purchased most of these items at The Dollar Tree, and in total spent about $25. Some of the items I already had on hand, which made it easy. You could opt to buy a pre-made kit but by making your own you get to choose the items you want. 

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Having a first aid kit for Lola and Lexy has put my mind at ease a bit. Now I’m going to make one for my boyfriend and his two cats, Jack and Boomer. 

Do you have a first aid kit for your pet? 

Dawn