Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

First Aid Kits for Hiking – What to Keep for Your Dog

By Bobby Davidson on April 19, 2021

First Aid Kits for Dogs - Happy Breath

Hiking while surrounded by Mother Earth’s bounty can be a lot of fun. But hiking with your furry best friend by your side means double the fun and lots of great pictures for your Instagram. However, this adventure may come with a few small injuries. Don’t forget about your First Aid Kits for your dog.

A first aid kit is a necessity, the absence of which can lead to severe and irreversible consequences. If you are bringing your dog on a hiking trip, be a responsible owner and keep all the essentials you might need to make your adventure dog friendly. You must keep a separate first aid kit specifically for your dog to avoid any emergencies.

You can purchase first aid kits for hiking designed for dogs, or you can make one on your own! Be sure to weigh your dog before you leave for a trip so that you can administer the correct dosage of medication if the need arises.

The most practical first aid kit for dogs has the following components:

  • Something to clean and protect the wounds
  • Something to stop bleeding
  • Something to get material out of skin or paws
  • Something to treat allergic reactions
  • Something to carry your dog

Here is a complete and comprehensive list of items that you must have in a first aid kit for dogs:

  • Flea/tick medication to prevent pesky pests.
  • Hydrocortisone lotion is used for poison ivy/ oak or other poisonous plants if your dog’s skin comes in contact with these plants
  • Diphenhydramine is useful for treating allergic reactions caused due to insect or snake bites, stings, or contact allergies from a plant. A commonly known brand name of Diphenhydramine is Benedryl. Preprepared dog first aid kits usually include Benedryl tablets but if you are making one on your own, keep 3-4 tablets in a small bottle.
  • Betadine solution is a must-have. Any wounds, scratches, or scraps may get infested with bacteria and dirt. Make sure that you dilute the solution before washing the wounds to prevent damaging exposed tissue.
  • If your dog ingests something poisonous such as poison ivy or a mushroom, keep 3% hydrogen peroxide in a bottle to induce vomiting. Call your vet before you do this so they may guide you. The safe dose is 0.5-1 milliliter (ml) per pound of weight. Ingestion occurs more likely than you might think, do not skip on this!
  • Your dog might get a footpad injury. Keep Paw Balm or Neosporin to apply on their foot to prevent the injury from worsening.
  • Is your dog limping? It might be a strain or a fracture. Give the leg a thorough examination but before you do that, put a muzzle on your dog. When dogs get injured, they might go into shock and bite you. All dogs are capable of biting when they’re in pain. Gauze roll can also be used to create an emergency muzzle. Practice applying a gauze muzzle for emergencies on your hiking trip.
  • Keep a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). While short-term use of these in dogs is safe, make sure you consult your vet first since some types of NSAIDs for humans are not safe for dogs.
  • Saline Eye Solution can be used to flush out wounds or eyes. Use it with a bulb syringe to irrigate the eye and remove any foreign objects.
  • Styptic swabs and powder are the perfect remedies for stopping bleeding if your dog tears his or her claws.

Some other Essentials include:

  • Alcohol Prep Pads
  • Oral Syringe
  • Space blanket
  • Absorbent Gauze/ Vet Wrap
  • Adhesive Tape
  • Cotton Swabs
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers allow you to remove painful items that can get stuck in the skin like thorns, spines, stingers, ticks, etc.
  • A Thermometer to keep a check on your dog’s temperature. It is crucial for administering appropriate first aid if your dog is overheating in the summer or experiencing hypothermia.
  • If your dog’s face is swollen due to an allergic reaction and the airways are constricted, putting a straw up their nose may open the airway and help them breathe. Make sure you talk to your vet about the proper way to do it.
  • Rubber Gloves are multi-purpose when performing first aid. They help provide sanitary first aid. You can use them to protect your hands or to temporarily cover your dog’s paws if they get injured.
  • Card with your phone number, name, and address of a vet and emergency clinic if you are hiking away from home.
  • Attach a bell to your dog’s collar; this will help you locate your dog, especially if it gets dark.

Most of the medical items listed will already be present in your first aid kit. Still, it is always wise and practical to make a separate first aid kit for your dog, so you don’t have to worry about dosage and correct administration. Consult a vet before you leave for your trip and ask for their professional opinion to double-check if the medications are appropriate for your dog.

Your vet will guide you and demonstrate how to perform first aid in case of emergencies. Label the first aid kit correctly and clearly so that you do not get confused when it is time for you to administer first aid in a rush. Make sure you take your dog to the vet if you perform first aid on them to rule out any concerns.

Do not panic if your dog gets hurt! They can sense your anxiety and will react to them. Keep a guide with you that helps you identify ailments and provide treatment suggestions, the Field Guide to Dog First Aid from Wilderness Adventures Press is a great book that deals with a diverse range of emergencies.

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

  • Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
  • Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
  • Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
  • Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
  • Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
  • Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
  • Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
  • Collect your pet’s waste.
  • Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

  • Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
  • Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
  • Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
  • Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
  • Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
  • Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
  • Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
  • Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
  • Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
  • Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.
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