The 7 Best Dog First Aid Kits Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2023

Just like every car needs to have a first aid kit, so does every home. And not just for its human tenants. Our pooches are such cheerful and energetic animals, which also makes them more prone to injuries. When that happens, having a first aid kit at your disposal allows you to help your pooch before the visit to the vet.

To discover the best dog first aid kits available in Australia, we teamed up with veterinarians, canine behaviourists and dog parents to research items on the market. After months of testing and several dozen dog first aid kits later, we were able to put this guide together, confident that we found the best products out there. 

In this article, we’ll show you what to look for in a dog first aid kit, as well as some of the best models you can find nowadays on the market. So let’s dive in!

Australia's Best Dog First Aid Kits Reviewed

Now that you know how to use a first aid kit, let’s see what the best products on the market are. These are the dog first aid kits that wowed our team of independent experts thanks to their

Whether you’re home, outside for a walk, or in the wilderness enjoying a hike with your canine companion, accidents happen. It’s always best to be prepared for such an occasion. But who’s to know what can happen? To have peace of mind, you can get a comprehensive pet first aid kit, just like this one from Arca Pet.

This family-owned business made a first aid kit that has just about anything that comes to mind, like a tick remover, digital thermometer, soap wipes, etc. It also features an emergency collar in case something happens to the one your dog’s currently wearing. You can’t expect everything, but this kit has answers to (almost) all possible situations.

The first aid kit comes in an EVA hard-shell case built with water-resistant 1680D nylon. This makes it suitable for hiking and camping without worrying that weather elements could destroy the packaging. It also makes it more durable than most other kits on this list. The Kurgo product in spot number two, for example, is fabric.

While the bag is closed, the content is firmly packed, without anything moving. Inside, everything is sorted in a clear order, too. There are three distinctly compartmentalized areas, with clear vinyl pockets, so you won’t struggle to find what you’re looking for. But since you won’t be always needing most of these tools, the product also comes with a mini pouch, where you can put essentials. Everyone on our team of independent panel of experts appreciated this thoughtful dog first aid kit.

A comprehensive first aid kit doesn’t have to be bulky, and this one from Kurgo is proof of that. This kit contains 50 pieces of supplies and tools, along with a first aid guide, in case you don’t know how to tend to a certain wound. This makes it similar to our number five choice ahead.

This first aid kit comes in compact, travel-friendly packaging. It can fit into your bag, glove compartment in your car, or even inside a pocket of your dog’s backpack. It features a hook closure that allows you to hang the kit when opened. But the hook also doubles as a bottle opener, a signature detail of Kurgo products, which is handy at all times.

The kit has three mesh compartments that allow you to keep the content organized. There’s also an exterior zipper pocket for things you might use more often, like tweezers. The bag is made of 600D Oxford fabric, which is a durable, waterproof type of polyester. In case it gets dirty, simply put it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, and it will come out almost as new.

Kurgo kit contains all the necessary things to deal with all kinds of injuries, from gauzes, prep and sting relief pads to tools like scissors and tweezers. Unlike our number one choice, this kit does not include a thermometer. However, it does include a parachute cord, an important splinting supply in case of serious trauma.

Most dog parents can be relieved by the fact that it’s unlikely they’ll have to use more than half of the things found in their first aid kit. Some of those tools are for extreme situations, while most pooches live carefree and safe lives. So if you’re looking for a first aid kit that contains just the bare essentials, then this 24-piece kit from Rosewood will work great.

This kit includes gauze swabs, saline pods and cleansing wipes, among other things. In case your canine companion has a minor injury, these are the first things you’ll need. The kit also includes scissors and tweezers, one of the most important tools.

Considering the content of this first aid kit, I would say it’s designed primarily to deal with injuries like cuts or bites. It has all the necessary things to patch a wound, for example. A foil blanket is also a nice addition that can be useful in case of really harsh weather. Unlike our number one choice, this kit lacks some basic tools like tick tweezers or a thermometer, so you’d need to buy these separately.

Our team members also appreciate that the packaging is very practical. It’s made of sturdy plastic, so the contents won’t get wet during rain or snow. It also features a handle that makes it easier to carry it around. A single press of a button opens the kit. Inside, there’s a single large compartment where all the content is stored.

Is your pooch your faithful companion in outdoor activities like camping, hiking or even mountaineering? Then your canine buddy needs a personal first aid kit, specifically designed for such endeavours. It should be small yet practical, like the first aid kit from PushOn.

This first aid kit features an adhesive strap on the back that allows you to attach it to a harness or a dog backpack. That way, every canine hiker can carry their own essentials. The bag is lightweight, and with 17 x 11 x 5.5 cm dimensions, most dogs can carry it. It’s made of durable, polyester fabric, and with a camo pattern, your pooch will look like a proper adventurer.

When it comes to the content, this kit features everything you might need when exploring nature with your canine best friend. Asides from the bandage, band-aids and alcohol pads, our team of experts also loved how this first aid kit also contains an emergency blanket and an instant ice pack. The former is important for preventing hypothermia and fever, while the latter provides soothing comfort and reduces swelling. Both of these can be a life-saver while on a trail.

Like our third choice, this kit does not contain a tick tweezer, so you may want to pick up one of those to complete this kit. 

For this dog first aid kit, Amazon offers their A-to-Z warranty, so in case you’re not happy with the purchase, you can always request a refund.

Asides from tools, the majority of a first aid kit content is expendable. So when designing this essential first aid kit, Trixie decided to include the supplies you’re most likely to need in case your pooch gets hurt, like bandages and alcohol swabs. These are the bare essentials any dog parent should have.

Trixie’s first aid kit for dogs comes in a classic pouch-style bag. It has two strip fastenings on the backside that allows you to attach it to your backpack or a belt. The bag is made of nylon, it’s simple-looking and features a zip opening. It’s water repellent but not waterproof, so be cautious if using it during rain.

While the packaging doesn’t look like much, it’s the content that matters. Asides from wound care supplies, the kit also features tools for removing parasites, including tick tweezers and a flea comb. It also comes with a muzzle loop that helps you prevent possibly getting bite wounds.

Like our second choice, this kit also includes a booklet with first aid tips. It gives you information on how to check your dog’s vitals, as well as advice on how to help your dog, from removing ticks and fleas to dealing with poisoning or frostbite.

When it comes to medication, most human drugs aren’t safe for our pets. But most other first aid supplies, like bandages and alcohol prep pads, are the same. So if you’re travelling with your canine companion, there’s no need to carry two first aid kits with 95% same content. Instead, you can get one kit that contains supplies suitable for both humans and their best friends.

This first aid kit by Alcott Explorer features 40 pieces of supplies for remedying any minor emergency. Asides from the essentials, this kit also comes with situational items, like a rubber tourniquet or a brush. There are a couple of liquid medications, too. Saline eyewash and hydrogen peroxide are both staples in human and pet first aid kits. You also get a styptic pencil for a quick bleed stop.

When dealing with wounds, sanitation is important. Therefore, our panel of experts loved how this kit comes with vinyl gloves and a face mask, as well as a bottle of hand sanitiser for quick, waterless disinfection. In case you need to administer oral medications, the kit also features a syringe for this kind of situation.

The kit comes in a grey nylon bag. It closes with velcro and features a handle that makes carrying easy. But even though it contains as many as 40 pieces, this kit is pretty light, weighing a little bit over 500 grams.

Every dog parent like showering their pets with presents. Especially during puppyhood when we’re buying their “first” things. Sometimes, we all go a little extra.

And so does Project Sooty Paws, with their emergency survival kit. This is a first aid kit, and more. It includes not just the thing you need, but also stuff that is nice to have.

The emergency kit comes in a 20L waterproof shoulder bag. Inside, you get a separate nylon first aid bag that, as you unzip it, folds out to several transparent compartments. The kit contains supplies like trauma pads, different types of bandages and other essentials. You also get a pair of tick tweezers, for removing ticks of different sizes. Furthermore, it comes with 6 meters of survival paracord and an emergency blanket, for serious traumas.

An interesting addition to this kit is a pack of purification tablets, which make any water safe for drinking. This can come in quite handy during hikes. What’s more, our team of experts liked how you also get a microfiber towel, useful when your pooch gets wet during low temperatures. 

Keeping a dog calm while injured is difficult, especially when they’re puppies. One way to have them preoccupied with something else is to give them toys or food. That’s why this emergency kit includes two dog toys and a can opener as stress reliefs.

The only real downside is that this kit is much bulkier than others on this list, like our number four choice, for example.

What I Look For In A Pet First Aid Kit

There’s a large number of first aid for pets Australia has on the market, so finding the one that’s perfect for your needs is a difficult task. Here are the things our team of independent experts suggest you should keep in mind when choosing between different models.

Size

When buying an animal first aid kit, size is one of the most important factors to consider. Ideally, you want something compact and lightweight that you can take with you when travelling. Large bags aren’t practical for carrying around, especially when doing outdoor activities like hiking. On the other hand, small packaging is more portable, but might not have all the necessary supplies for a severe emergency.

Compartments

When administering immediate first aid, there’s no time to lose. At that moment, the last thing you need is to spend minutes searching for a specific supply in a clutter. That’s why a good first aid kit should feature different compartments that allow you to keep things organized.

Content

Sometimes, a 25-piece first aid for dogs can be more useful than a 250 one. This all depends on the supplies it comes with. When buying a perfect kit, consider the type of activities your Fido indulges in. For city pooches that mostly enjoy park walks, essential wound assessment supplies will be enough. These include bandaids, bandages, adhesive tape and alcohol wipe (1).

But for dogs that hike, mountain climb or lead a similarly active life, that kit wouldn’t be enough. If a more serious injury happens, you should be able to administer basic first aid before you reach the vet. In that case, things like an emergency blanket or a cooling pad could be useful.

Design

We already mentioned important organizing compartments are. But the outside of the kit also matters. Ideally, you want a durable bag that can withstand weather elements. At the very least, it should be water-repellent, so it doesn’t get soaked in rain. Hard-shell packaging might be heavier than soft-shell bags, but it offers even more protection.

Check A Dog’s Pulse

The best place to check a dog’s pulse is on the inside of the upper thigh of their rear leg. This is where their femoral artery is located. Place two fingers (except your thumb) on it and count the beats for 30 seconds, then multiply by 2. Small dogs’ normal pulse ranges from 90 to 160 beats per minute. Larger dogs, on the other hand, have a pulse between 65 and 90 beats per minute.

If Your Pet Is Bleeding

First, find where the blood is coming from. Once you find the source, apply pressure by holding a clean cloth or bandage over it. For smaller cuts, you can apply styptic powder, a coagulant that works in a blink of an eye.

Preventing Hypothermia

When out in the cold for a long time, a dog’s body temperature can drop to dangerous levels. This is especially true for puppies, sick and elderly dogs, as they don’t regulate their own body very well. Any dog that shows signs of hypothermia should be immediately removed from the cold and wrapped in an emergency blanket from your first aid kit. 

Exposure To Poison

If your dog was in contact with a toxin, your first step should be discovering what that substance was. Then, contact your vet immediately. But by the time your dog receives medical assistance, there are a few things you can do.

If a vet advises inducing vomiting, give your dog 3% hydrogen peroxide orally (3). The right amount is one teaspoon for every 2.5 kilograms of dog weight, but no more than 3 tablespoons for dogs over 25 kilos.

First Aid Tips Every Dog Owner Must Know

All kinds of emergencies can arise from a simple stroll through the park. And you might have your first aid kit with you, but what’s the point unless you know what supplies you can use for a specific type of situation.

My Final Say

When buying a first aid kit for your pooch, our team of independent experts recommend you consider the types of activities you enjoy together. For hiking, camping and other physical activities in nature, you need a comprehensive first aid kit, just like our top choice by Arca Pet. This 100-piece kit features everything you might need all packed into a durable nylon bag.

In case you’re looking for something smaller, consider this 50-piece kit by Kurgo. Besides all the important supplies, you also get a bottle opener, which is always handy.

References

1. Coates, J. April 03, 2019. “10 Things You Need in Your Pet First Aid Kit”. PetMD. Retrieved June 12, 2021. https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/10-things-you-need-your-pet-first-aid-kit

2. Common, J. March 17, 2021. “8 best dog first aid kits for rough and tumble-prone pooches” Independent UK. Retrieved June 12, 2021. https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/house-garden/pets/best-dog-first-aid-kit-uk-pets-at-home-b1816516.html

3. Burke, A. May 23, 2019. “How to Make a Dog Throw Up“ American Kennel Club. Retrieved June 12, 2021. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-make-a-dog-throw-up/

4. Lesser, J. February 06, 2021. “10 Items to Have in a Dog First Aid Kit” The Spruce Pets. Retrieved June 12, 2021. https://www.thesprucepets.com/build-first-aid-kit-for-pet-3385623