PupkeeperDog first aid
Step-by-step first aid for 21 dog emergencies, from choking and heatstroke to bleeding, seizures and bloat. Each guide says what to do first, the signs to watch for and when to get to a vet, with its sources. In an emergency, get your dog to a vet as soon as you can.
Pet poison lines and emergency vets
United States
Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, JM, PR, Singapore, Switzerland, TT, VI
First aid, step by step 21
- Allergic Reaction to a Bee or Wasp StingFirst aidUse this when your dog has been stung, or has sudden face swelling, bumps, vomiting or trouble breathing after a sting.
- Bleeding and WoundsFirst aidUse this when your dog has a bleeding wound, or may be bleeding inside after an injury.
- Bloat (Twisted Stomach, GDV)First aidUse this when your dog keeps trying to vomit but brings up nothing, has a swollen belly, or is restless and drooling.
- Broken Bone or Limping After an InjuryFirst aidUse this when your dog is suddenly limping, won't put weight on a leg, or a leg looks swollen after a fall or accident.
- Burns and Scalds (Heat and Chemical)First aidUse this when your dog has been burned by heat, hot liquid or steam, or by a chemical such as a cleaner or acid.
- ChokingFirst aidUse this when your dog is struggling to breathe, pawing at its mouth or making choking sounds because something is stuck.
- CPR (Not Breathing, No Heartbeat)First aidUse this when your dog has collapsed, won't respond to you, and isn't breathing normally.
- Cut or Burned Paw PadsFirst aidUse this when your dog has a cut, torn or burned paw pad from glass, sharp objects, hot pavement or hot metal.
- Eye Injury and Chemicals in the EyeFirst aidUse this when your dog is squinting, holding an eye shut, has a red or runny eye after an injury, or got a chemical in its eye.
- First Aid Kit for Small DogsFirst aidWhat to keep ready for a small dog or puppy, and what not to use unless your vet tells you to.
- Fish Hook Stuck or SwallowedFirst aidUse this when a fish hook is stuck in your dog's lip, mouth, paw or skin, or your dog has swallowed a hook or fishing line.
- HeatstrokeFirst aidUse this when your dog is overheated after hot weather, exercise or a hot car and is panting hard, weak, confused or collapsing.
- Hit by a CarFirst aidUse this when your dog has been hit by a car or other vehicle, even if it seems fine.
- Hypothermia (Too Cold)First aidUse this when your dog has been out in the cold or in icy water and is shivering hard, drowsy, clumsy or collapsing.
- Low Blood Sugar in Toy PuppiesFirst aidUse this when a toy or very small puppy is suddenly weak, wobbly, trembling, very sleepy or having a fit, especially after a missed meal.
- Moving an Injured Dog SafelyFirst aidUse this when you need to handle, muzzle or carry a hurt dog to the vet without making injuries worse or getting bitten.
- Poisoning: What to Do FirstFirst aidUse this when you know or think your dog has eaten, licked or touched something poisonous.
- Puppy Fell From a Bed or SofaFirst aidUse this when your puppy has fallen or jumped from a bed, sofa, table or your arms, even if it seems fine.
- Seizures (Fits)First aidUse this when your dog is having a fit: shaking, paddling its legs, foaming at the mouth or losing control of its bladder.
- SnakebiteFirst aidUse this when you saw or suspect a snake bit your dog, or your dog has sudden painful swelling with small puncture marks.
- Swallowed Sock, Toy or Other ObjectFirst aidUse this when your dog has swallowed something it shouldn't, like a sock, hair tie, toy, string or bone, or seems blocked up.
Other emergencies outdoors 16
- Antifreeze PuddlesToxicExtremely toxic. Even a tiny amount of antifreeze can cause fatal kidney failure; dogs need treatment within 8-12 hours.
- Blue-Green Algae (Toxic Algae)ToxicHighly toxic. Toxic algae in lakes and ponds can kill a dog within hours of swimming in or drinking the water.
- Cold Weather (Hypothermia and Frostbite)CautionCaution. Cold can drop a dog's body temperature (hypothermia) and freeze the skin of the ears, paws and tail (frostbite).
- Compost and Moldy FoodToxicToxic. Moldy food in compost or trash can contain mycotoxins that cause tremors and seizures, sometimes within 30 minutes.
- Easter Treats and DecorationsToxicToxic. Chocolate eggs, sugar-free sweets with xylitol and raisins in hot cross buns can poison dogs; plastic grass and eggs can block the gut.
- Fishing Hooks and LineCautionCaution. Swallowed fish hooks and line are dangerous: they can tear the throat, stomach and intestines, and a large hook can get stuck in the throat.
- Halloween CandyToxicToxic. Halloween candy can hide chocolate, xylitol (in sugar-free candy) and raisins, and swallowed wrappers can block the gut.
- Hot Weather (Heatstroke Risk)CautionCaution. Hot cars, hot humid weather and hard exercise can cause heatstroke, which can quickly cause organ damage and death.
- Rat and Mouse Bait (Outdoors)ToxicHighly toxic. Rat and mouse baits in parks and yards can cause deadly bleeding, brain swelling or organ failure; some have no antidote.
- Slug and Snail Bait (Metaldehyde)ToxicHighly toxic. Slug and snail pellets with metaldehyde can cause tremors, seizures and a dangerous fever within 1-2 hours.
- Tennis Balls and Small Balls (Choking)CautionCaution. A ball small enough to fit fully in the mouth can lodge in the throat and block breathing, which is an emergency.
- Adder Bite (UK and Europe)ToxicVenomous. The adder is the UK's only venomous snake; bites cause painful swelling and can be very serious, but most treated dogs recover.
- Black Widow and Brown Recluse SpidersToxicMost spiders are only mildly venomous, but black widow and brown recluse bites can cause severe muscle pain, paralysis or skin wounds.
- Porcupine QuillsCautionCaution. Porcupine quills are barbed and can work deeper into the body, so a vet should remove them under sedation.
- Toads (Asian Toad, Cane Toad and Others)ToxicToxic. Licking or biting a toad causes drooling and can be deadly.
- Venomous SnakebiteToxicVenomous. Bites from pit vipers, cobras, kraits and other venomous snakes can cause swelling, bleeding, paralysis and death.
General information from each entry's sources, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.