Essential items for a well stocked cat first aid kit

Last Updated on July 29, 2021 by Holly Anne Dustin

June is pet preparedness month. One important way to be prepared is to have a well-stocked cat first aid kit ready in case of an emergency situation. Ideally you should have two: one in your home and one in your car. 

A pet first aid kit in your vehicle is essential if you travel with your cat, but is also a vital component in your emergency disaster preparedness evacuation plan. 

To develop a disaster plan for you and Kitty read more here.

How to Make a Pet First Aid Kit

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It is easy to put together a well stocked cat first aid kit. You can purchase a pre-made pet first aid kit and customize it with the specific things you’ll need for your cat or build your own. 

Most pre-packaged first aid kits for pets are fairly basic. They aren’t a bad option if you want something to throw in your pack for an easy day hike while you leave your full kit in your car.

If you choose to make your own cat first aid kit, a tackle box or toolbox make great carriers. I like this set because you get a big one to keep in the house and a smaller one for the car.

Best Starter Pet First Aid Kit: Arca Pet First Aid Kit I like this one best of what is on the market because it has more pieces than most of the others, and has a little pouch that would be easy to throw in a pocket on the side of a carrier or backpack.

What Should I Have in my Cat’s First Aid Kit?

Consider the type of activities you do with Kitty when deciding the essentials for your cat’s first aid kit. Does she live the high adventure life or go on more urban adventures? Or is she going to encounter more household accidents? What sort of wildlife and insects might she encounter? 

A complete cat first aid kit should contain the following items. You should check with your vet to see if your furbaby’s medical history would require anything additional. 

Cat First Aid Kit Supply Lists:

Flushes, Washes, Disinfectants:

• Saline wash or wound wash: Plain contact lens solution with no preservatives or additives can work if you can’t find wound wash. Flush wounds before bandaging.
• Vetericyn Wound Spray: Scratches are the most common injury to cats. Vetericyn is a neutral, non-stinging, antimicrobial hydrogel that prevents infection and promotes healing of minor wounds.
• Eye wash: your pure saline wash is safe to use on eye injuries if necessary.
• Ear wash: don’t put water based washes in ears. It can lead to infections.
• Cat-safe shampoo: dish soap will do in a pinch
• Alcohol: disinfect your equipment before you use them with your cat. Don’t use directly on your cat.
• Hand sanitizer for you to use before working on your cat.

Medications:

• Styptic powder or gel: help blood clot. 
• 3% Hydrogen peroxide: For inducing vomiting if instructed by a vet or poison control. Never apply hydrogen peroxide to your cat’s wound/skin! It will damage the tissues and slow healing. Make sure you use 3%.
• Activated Charcoal: for treating poisonings if directed from a vet or poison control.
• Benadryl: antihistamine for allergic reactions. Can also help with car sickness. Be sure the product you purchase is only the antihistamine. Don’t buy a cold relief product or anything with pain relief included. Ask your vet for an appropriate dose for your cat and mark the package. It will save you time when you need it. Don’t count on being able to access an online dosing calculator in an emergency.
• Rehydrating solution: There are specific products made for pets but unflavored Pedialyte mixed 50/50 with water will work.
• Anti-diarrhea medication: Be sure the product you get is specific for cats. Don’t use human products. They contain salicylates which aren’t safe for cats.
• Glucose syrup
• Sting relief pens or pads
• Rescue Remedy: natural stress relief preparation. Get the pet variety, it is alcohol free. It isn’t as strong as the human version. I’ve used the pet version myself and the human version with my cats in a pinch.

Bandaging Supplies:

• Gauze “sponges” 
• Non Stick gauze pads in various sizes
• 3” Cotton padding roll
• Vet wrap or other self adhesive gauze bandaging to hold bandages in place
• Ace bandage or other elastic bandaging
• Medical tape

Other Disposable Supplies:

• Non-latex disposable gloves
• Cotton swabs
• Cotton balls
• Tongue depressors 
• Instant cold packs

Equipment

• Tweezers: Essential for any well-stocked cat first aid kit. Tweezers help you to work in the smaller spaces of a cat’s body. Good for removing foreign bodies, stingers, ticks, etc.
• Tick remover tool.
• Magnifying glass: A magnifying glass makes it easier to see what you are doing. 
• Headlamp: frees your hands to work on your cat while providing the light you need to see your cat’s body.
• Claw clippers.
• Bandage scissors.
• Blunt tip scissors.
• Thermometer.
• Syringes: administer medications or flush wounds.

If you are really looking to build a gold standard kit, include a stethoscope and a small cordless pet clipper that you keep charged.

Safety Equipment:

• Leather gloves: Help keep you safe from bites and scratches.
• Cat muzzle: Protect yourself while handling a scared kitty in pain.
• Cone collar or donut cone: Keep Kitty from licking, biting or otherwise bothering her injury. Also helps keep you safer from cat bites.
• Towel or heavy blanket: to use as a restraint if necessary.
• Emergency/Mylar blanket to help Kitty warm.

Paperwork:

• Cat first aid book.
• Pet Poison Control number ASPCA 888-426-4435, Pet Poison Helpline 800-213-6680.
• Contact information for your vet and emergency animal hospital. If you are traveling be sure to get local contacts before you hit the road. 
• Copy of Kitty’s vaccination records, medications, any significant medical conditions.
• Your contact information in case you are injured and someone else is with your cat.
• Your cat’s microchip information.
• A current photo of Kitty to prove ownership or make a lost cat poster/social media post.

For You:

• Box of bandaids in case Kitty scratches or bites you.
• Antibacterial ointment.
• Pain reliever: do not ever use with Kitty, human OTC pain relievers are deadly to cats. This is just in case you are also injured or get bitten while aiding Kitty.

Learn more about cat first aid in our post here.

Essential Cat First Aid

I recommend taking a cat first aid class if you haven’t already done so. You’ll learn the basics of CPR and first aid that will help you use your well stocked cat first aid kit. Knowing what to do, and what not to do, when your cat is injured or ill can make a difference in how well they recover. First aid is critical care to keep Kitty going until you can get him to the vet. It is not intended to replace veterinary care. 

There are several options that offer online classes:

• Arden Moore offers online pet first aid classes.
• The American Red Cross offers in-person and online first aid classes for cat guardians.
• The Pet Safety Crusader has a Feline CPR and First Aid class online as well.
• I suggest checking around your local area if you prefer an in-person classes. The Red Cross offers in-person classes. Around here some of the local fire departments offer the class as well. Sometimes Adult Education Departments are a good resource for classes.
• The Red Cross has a cat first aid smartphone app. It’s not the same as a class but it can give you a refresher on how to treat your furbaby in an emergency.

Keep Your Cat First Aid Kit Current

Even if you already have a well stocked cat first-aid kit, now might be a good time to make sure the supplies haven’t expired or run out. It is a good practice to replace and restock items in your kit anytime you use it, but it is easy to forget that step in the aftermath of an emergency or disaster situation.

Related post: Keep Kitty Safe Inside and Out