Basic First Aid Kit Items For Cats

Just as it’s a smart idea to have a first aid kit in your home for humans, it’s an equally good idea to have one for your feline friends, too.

Thankfully, our first aid kits may share a number of items, so you don’t necessarily have to start from scratch. If you don’t feel like purchasing items individually for a feline first aid kit, you may also be able to buy one at your local pet supply store.

When looking into this, some folks had shorter lists, others had longer lists. The lists below are meant to give you an idea of what may be useful to have around in the event of an emergency or accident. That said, if you’re not sure which you should keep at home, consider speaking to your vet about it for his recommendations.

Photo courtesy Robert Thomson.

Some basic items may include:

• Adhesive tape
• Cotton balls and roll cotton
• Cotton swabs
• Gauze pads and gauze on a roll
• Nail clippers and nail file
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Thermometer, lubricant
• Soap
• Antibiotic ointment
• Blanket
• Towels (both cloth and paper)

Also include contact information (phone numbers, address, vet’s name) for your regular vet as well as an emergency clinic. 

Here are some other things you may also want to include:

Other Equipment & Supplies

Muzzle, magnifying glass, styptic powder or sticks (or cornstarch), penlight, eye dropper or oral syringe, disposable gloves, bitter apple, cold/heat packs (wrap in a towel first), stethoscope.

Photo courtesy SpammT.

Bandaging Materials

Square gauze of several sizes (some sterile), non-stick pads, first aid tape (both paper and adhesive), bandage rolls, Band-Aids (for humans).

Nutritional Support

Rehydrating solutions, nutritional supplements, high sugar sources (Karo syrup)

Medicines*

Wound disinfectant, triple antibiotic ointment, antibiotic ointment for eyes, eye wash solution, sterile saline, antidiarrheal medicine, cat laxative, cortisone, ear cleaning solution, etc.

*Watch the expiration dates carefully, and replace as needed.

Again, some of these items may be useful, others may not be necessary. Speak to your vet to find out which may be the best for your pet, and then do your research so you know how to properly use/administer them when appropriate.