How to Easily Put Together a First-Aid Kit for Your Cat

What to put in your cat's first-aid kit and why

When your cat suffers an illness, injury, or poisoning, knowing what first aid to do (and not do) can have a big impact on their recovery, safety, and comfort.

It can also help your emotional stress because you'll have a plan of action to follow whenever a problem arises.

For these and many other reasons, I always recommend that cat owners take a pet first-aid class. But that's not the end of the story.

Regardless of whether you've taken (or are planning to take) a first-aid class, you still need to have the supplies and gear to be able to administer first aid to your cat. And that's where having a good pet first-aid kit (or two) comes in.

Make Your Own Cat First-Aid Kit

To make it easy for you to put together (or check) your pet first-aid kit, we have a shopping list (for mobile or printable) for you to take to your nearest pharmacy to grab your cat's first-aid supplies.

Each item on this list has been vetted to ensure that you're getting the right products and brands that will be most effective, practical, and safe for your cat's first-aid kit.

Have a dog? Check out this first-aid shopping list for dogs.

What to Put in Your Cat's First-Aid Kit: Shopping List

Depending on your particular cat's breed and medical history, you may need additional items than those on this list. Please check with your veterinarian to ensure that your cat's individual first-aid kit is as complete as possible. You may even be able to get some of these first-aid kit supplies from your vet!

Some of the items listed below are "multi-pack" or bulk packages, and most of the items are also useful for your own human first-aid kits. But if you want smaller quantities, we've made several alternative suggestions too.

Want to put your kit together? Click for access to an interactive mobile shopping list and downloadable PDF

Blood clotting powder (e.g., ClotIt)

• Use: To quickly and effectively stop bleeding from gashes, bites, and even "quicked" or torn toenails. Not only will this help to keep your car from getting blood-stained on the way to the vet, but it'll also help keep your first-aid bandages from becoming blood-soaked and, most importantly, can help prevent serious and dangerous blood loss in the event of major blood vessel damage. ClotIt is truly "magic" and important stuff to have in your cat's first-aid kit!
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include a bottle

• Use: For cleaning (irrigating) wounds. Learn how to care for your cat's wound to help them heal properly.
  
  
• Alternatives: A bottle of saline eye/contact lens flush or saline nasal spray can also be used for flushing a wound. See the Medications section below for a more detailed description and brand recommendation.
  
  You can also ask your vet to sell you a small bottle of either a chlorhexidine diacetate or povidone iodine solution to have on hand for cleaning and disinfecting your cat's wounds. You'll learn more about these items next on the list.
  
  
• Caution: Do NOT use Hydrogen Peroxide to clean a wound, as it can actually slow healing.

• Use: You should have a bottle of Chlorhexidine diacetate* and/or Povidone iodine** around your home with pets. You can get the Povidone iodine on Amazon, but should probably ask your vet for the bottle of Chlorhexidine diacetate solution (see * below for the reasons why).
  
  To use either of these antiseptic solutions, either use some soaked gauze sponges to gently blot the area, or if you've got a syringe in your pet's first-aid kit, you can also use that to spray the diluted solution onto the area under a bit of pressure (which can further help to dislodge any bacteria or debris that was missed in the previous "wound flushing" step).
  
  

• *Caution about Chlorhexidine: Chlorhexidine is available as both a "scrub" and a "solution," when using it as an antiseptic for your pet's wounds you want to be sure to use the "solution," not the scrub. Chlorhexidine is also available as both the "diacetate" salt and the "gluconate" salt, again, when using it as an antiseptic for your pet's wound care, use the "diacetate" salt and be sure to dilute to no more than a 0.05% solution.
  
  Concentrations of Chlorhexidine diacetate over 0.05% will, like hydrogen peroxide, damage skin cells. So it's best to get the Chlorhexidine diacetate solution from your vet to avoid confusion or getting the wrong product.
  
  
• **Caution about Povidone iodine: Dilute to a 1% solution. Also note that some people can be allergic to povidone-iodine.
  
  
• ***Not sure how to do dilutions? Here's an easy-to-use dilution calculator to help you get it right. And, for safety sake when diluting, always add the chlorhexidine or iodine to the water, and not the other way around. Just in case of splash back, which can injure your eyes!
  
  

• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include a bottle

• Use: For cleaning wounds, as well as for gently and more precisely cleaning in and around your cat's eyes, ears, and other sensitive areas.
  
  
• Caution: Never stick Q-tips or other cotton-tipped swabs into your cat's eyes or ears without first being shown how to do it safely by your veterinarian. If done incorrectly, you can cause serious damage to your cat's eyes or eardrums!
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include a handful

• Use: Gauze sponges are useful both for cleaning wounds and also as the primary layer in a bandage where you don't need to worry about (or might actually want, like in a "wet-to-dry" bandage) the first covering sticking to the skin and wound below. These are not non-stick (unlike the "non-stick" pads next on the list).
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include 5–10 pads

• Use: Non-stick bandage pads are good to put as your first layer when covering and bandaging burns, cuts, and other wounds.
  
  While their gauze nature allows them to absorb blood and inflammatory fluid, their non-stick covering prevents them from sticking to and disrupting any clot or scab that has formed during the beginning of the healing process.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include 3 pads

• Use: This forms the "bulking" layer in bandages where bulking is necessary or desired.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Put 1–2 rolls in your kit depending on your cat's size.

Gauze roll (individually packaged) 2" wide gauze rolls work best for cats.

• Use: Gauze roll is used either as a stand-alone dressing, when bulking or a more specific primary layer are not necessary, or to cover and secure a specific primary or bulking layer (like "cotton roll" above).
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Put 1–2 rolls in your kit depending on your cat's size.

• Use: To hold the different layers of a bandage in place while applying the subsequent bandage layers. Also used for "stirrups" when applying bandages to paws, tails, and other difficult-to-bandage places.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include a roll

Blunt-tip bandage scissors (like these bandage scissors or these, heavier duty trauma shears)

• Use: To cut and remove bandages safely. The extended, "leading blade" makes it easier to get the scissor under the bandage, while the blunted nature of the tip decreases the chances of cutting your cat's skin while you're doing so.

• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include a pair of scissors

Bandage Scissors

Heavier-duty shears. Needed to cut splint rolls (next on list)

Splint(s) (these foam-covered, moldable, aluminum splint rolls are perfect for cat first-aid kits!)

• Use: Splints are great to have if you need to minimize movement in your cat's injured leg (like if they've broken a bone in their lower leg, or torn their cruciate ligament) while you transport them to the vet.
  (Note: You'll need to have a pair of sturdy scissors, like these trauma shears, to easily cut and tailor these rolled splints.)
  
  
• Alternatives: In a pinch, you can use a sturdy stick, branch, or a wooden dowel.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include 1 roll

Self-adhesive bandage cover (such as this Vet Tape Wrap or, if you need a latex-free option, try latex-free Coban)

• Use: This is the outer layer for bandages to help keep your bandage in place and prevent it from unravelling. Because it sticks to itself, no tape is needed. You must be very careful not to put this layer on too tight, or else you'll interfere with the blood flow to the area under and around the bandage.
  
  To prevent applying it too tight, unwrap the amount you need from the roll and then loosely wrap it back around the roll before applying it.
  
  
• Alternatives: Duct tape, electrical tape, or Saran Wrap (or another plastic "cling film") can serve the same purpose in a bind. Again, don't apply too tightly.

Vet Wrap Self-Adhesive Bandages 2"

15' of 3" latex-free self-adhesive wrap

Duct tape (like a colorful — i.e., easily found — option from Duck brand)

• Use: To secure a temporary bandage if you don't have a self-adhesive bandage cover, as discussed above.
  
  
• Caution: Never apply duct tape directly to your pet's fur or skin, as it will be difficult to get off and is likely to hurt them tremendously in the process!

Medications

3% Hydrogen Peroxide (like this 3% Hydrogen Peroxide)

• Use: Can be used to induce vomiting in certain situations — never induce vomiting without first speaking with a veterinarian or animal poison control. It's also used for de-skunking: If you ever need to deskunk your pet (hydrogen peroxide is an ingredient in this great pet deskunking recipe).
  
  
• Cautions: (1) Make sure your hydrogen peroxide is 3% and NOT 35% or even 6%. Even "food grade" does NOT necessarily = safe! See Illinois Poison Center's important article/warning about the dangers of the "food grade" peroxide craze. (2) Do not use Hydrogen Peroxide to clean or disinfect wounds, as it can actually slow healing. Use a saline wound flush as recommended in the Wound Care & Bandages section above.
  
  

Activated charcoal (such as Toxiban or Universal Animal Antidote (UAA) gel)

• Use: Can help in certain poisonings and toxicities, and in certain situations. Not all poisons are adsorbed by activated charcoal, so it is not always necessary or appropriate to use.
  
  
• Caution: Never administer activated charcoal without first checking with a veterinarian or animal poison control. Dogs or cats, with pre-exiting Hypernatremia, should never receive this as treatment. And never, never attempt to administer activated charcoal to a pet that is vomiting, having seizures, is unconscious, or otherwise mentally altered (due to the risk of the charcoal getting in their lungs). Do not administer if the poison was ingested more than 2 hours prior — it is meant for acute poisoning. Once administered, it is important your cat gets plenty of fluids as it can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
  
  

Antibiotic ointment (best to get them in individual use packs, like these triple antibiotic ointment packs)

• Use: For protection against bacterial infections on minor cuts, scrapes, and other injuries on your cat's skin. Apply to such wounds prior to placement of any bandages.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include a few packs
  
  
• Caution: This product should not be ingested, as its active ingredient, Polymyxin B, can cause anaphylaxis in cats. Do not allow your cat to lick their wound site. If that is not an option, do not use. Do not use beyond a couple of treatments without consulting with your veterinarian. Discontinue immediately if you notice any irritation to the skin.
  
  Cats with known sensitivities may want to use Vetericyn Plus instead. If there are any concerns, please consult your veterinarian first.

• Use: To flush your pet's eye(s) in the event of pollen, grass seed, or other object getting stuck in their eye ("ocular foreign body").
  
  See note below re: treating with artificial tears after flushing. Can also play "double duty" for cleaning wounds if you don't have a bottle of wound flush handy.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include as both an eye flush and wound wash

Artificial Tears (like these Systane Ultra lubricating eye drops)

• Use: To restore lubrication to your pet's eye(s) and prevent discomfort or irritation after you've flushed their eye(s) out with a saline eye flush (see above).

Benadryl (generic = diphenhydramine) (like these generic 25mg diphenhydramine tablets)

• Use: Diphenhydramine can be useful in bee and wasp stings and other allergic reactions. While diphenhydramine is safe for most pets in these situations, you should check with your veterinarian to ensure that your pet can be given diphenhydramine. Read more about using Benadry/diphenhydramine, including a handy calculator to help you determine your pet's dose.
  
  
• Cautions: (1) Make sure that the medication you buy only has diphenhydramine as the active ingredient (i.e., don't use a combo cold + flu or other combination medication). (2) Make sure that you pay attention to the concentration of diphenhydramine in the pills or liquid when calculating the dose you are giving your cat.
  
  
• Tip: Pre-calculate your cat's dose (use our Benadryl dosing calculator for pets) and then write it on the side of the box or bottle. It'll help you remember their dosage and save you a step in a "pinch."
   
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include a small bottle or box

Supply of your pet’s chronic medications (if any)

• Note: Make sure to keep them up-to-date and check the expiration date before use.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Bring enough to cover the length of your trip, plus one extra week.

Tools

• Use: For trimming mats and "sticky stuff" (e.g., gum, glue, sap, etc.) from fur and for trimming fur around wounds.
  
  
• Note: Using a beard trimmer for these purposes, rather than a pair of scissors, greatly decreases the chances that you'll inadvertently cut your pet's skin (which can be painful and very bloody). Since this is for a first-aid kit and you won't always be near an electrical outlet when it's needed, we suggest going with a battery-powered trimmer (rather than a corded, or even cordless rechargable option).
  
  The Whal trimmer we recommend is perfect for pet first-aid kits. It's battery powered, trims even dense fur, and is made by a reputable company with experience making professional trimmers for groomers and veterinary practices.

• Use: To check your pet's temperature whenever you're concerned they might have a fever or low body temperature. Note that the normal temperature range for cats is higher than for people.
  
  Normal body temperature for cats is between 100 —102.5⁰F (37.8—39.2⁰C). The most reliable way to get your pet's temperature is rectally; see how to do it for a cat.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include

• Use: To facilitate taking your pet's rectal temperature. Lubrication is important both for your pet's comfort and to minimize the risks of creating a tear in the lining of the rectum.
  
  
• Note: You can use a petroleum-based lube, like Vaseline, to lubricate the thermometer, too. The advantage of getting these individual, sterile, latex-free, water-based lube packs is that you can also then use the lube to keep your cat's fur out of their wounds when clipping the fur from around the wound (you put the sterile lube in the wound, use your beard trimmers to clip the fur from around the wound, and then use your saline wound flush to clear away all of the clipped fur and lube).
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include a few packets

• Use: For keeping your pet warm when they've sustained an injury outside in the cold and/or rain.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include
  
  

Instant-cold packs (like these SuperBand Instant Cold Packs)

• Use: For applying a cold compress to decrease swelling and inflammation after a bee or wasp sting, sprain and strain, bruising, or other minor injury.
  
  
• Cautions: (1) Don't let your cat chew on or eat these packs, as toxicity may occur.
  (2) Don't apply the cold pack directly to your cat's skin, make sure there's fur or a towel between the pack and your cat's skin to avoid cold-induced skin damage.
  (3) Don't use cold packs to cool down an over-heated cat, as this can constrict skin blood vessels and actually slow core cooling.
  
  See this article to learn how to safely cool and treat a cat suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include 1 pack

Muzzle A nylon cat muzzle, like the one linked below, is the easiest to apply and least distressful for a cat in pain.

• Use: To prevent a cat in pain and distress from biting you or anyone else helping you while administering first aid. Cats in distress and pain are more likely to bite — even their owner, and even if they normally wouldn't.

Guardian Gear Nylon Cat Muzzle

Tick remover (like the Tick Twister or the Ticked Off tool)

• Use: For removing an embedded tick from your cat's skin. Take care not to crush the tick body when removing the tick and put the tick in a jar or other container after removal to bring to your vet for ID and see if any additional monitoring or treatment might be necessary.
  
  
• Alternatives: You can also use tweezers (these Uncle Bill's tweezers are perfect for a first-aid kit), or a locking, curved-tip hemostat.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include

Tick Twister

Ticked Off Tick Remover

Uncle Bill's Sliver Gripper Keychain Tweezers

Stainless Steel Self-Locking Curved Forceps

Syringes (like these Ezy-Dose syringes)

• Use: Syringes are used both for administering oral medications and also for cleaning and flushing wounds.

Old credit card

• Use: To remove bee and wasp stingers! Tweezers are actually not the best way to remove a bee/wasp stinger, as they can squeeze the venom sack in the process and worsen the reaction and resulting pain.
  
  To see how to use an old credit card (or driver's license), check out this video.
  
  
   
  
  (And check out this article to see what to do for a bee or wasp sting after you've removed the stinger!)
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include
  
  

DE-SKUNKING HOW-TO: Speaking of wildlife run-ins, "skunking" can be a pretty unpleasant thing for both your cat and anybody else around. Check out this article to learn how to safely and effectively get the skunk smell off. (Hint: tomato juice is NOT the answer!)

Miscellaneous (but important!)

First-aid manual — always good to have close at hand when needing to administer first aid for your pup.
Recommended pet first-aid manuals:

• The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats

Emergency numbers

• Include: your vet, animal poison control, and your local animal emergency hospital
  
  

Pillow Case A pillowcase makes for a great and quick "makeshift cat carrier" in a pinch

Exam gloves (like these nitrile (latex-free) gloves)

• Use: Exam gloves don't just keep your hands from getting blood and other "stuff" on them, they also protect your cat's wound from becoming contaminated by bacteria from your hands.
  
  (Hey, we all have bacteria on our hands, and it's not always possible or practical to wash our hands before administering first aid. And some of us even have nasty, antibiotic-resistant bacteria on our hands without even knowing it! Gloves help prevent infections.)
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include 1–2 pairs

Flashlight or other light source (like these great "Mini" Maglites, or these (even more convenient) camping headlamps from Vont)

• Use: A reliable light source is imperative for when injuries happen at night, as well as for looking closely in between toes and paw pads, or into your cat's mouth, ears, or nostrils.
  
  
• Caution: If you need to look into your cat's eye(s), don't use a bright light such as the Maglites or headlamps. Rather, use a less-bright medical "penlight," such as these LED nurse's penlights from Opoway.

Maglite Mini PRO LED 2-Cell AA Flashlight with Holster

Vont LED Headlight
Allows you to see and be hands-free

Opoway Nurse Penlight
Use this light (but not the others) for looking directly into a cat's eyes

Towels & rags

Collapsible water bowl (like this BPA-Free option from Silipet)

• Use: Not just for providing your cat with water when they are thirsty, but these collapsible bowls can also be used to mix a disinfectant (like chlorhexidine or povidone iodine, see above in Wound Care & Bandages section) and water to clean a wound.
  
  If you use the bowl for diluting a disinfectant solution, just make sure not to use the bowl for drinking water afterwards, until its been cleaned properly.
  
  
• 🚗  Travel First-Aid Kit: Include

100% BPA free, FDA approved, Dishwasher safe

Tool or tackle box (like this great toolbox set you can prepare for at home and for the car)

• Use: You need somewhere to store all of your cat's first-aid supplies! A large tool or fishing tackle box is great for this purpose. Of course, you should also have a cat first-aid kit for any hiking, fieldwork, or any travel you do with your at.
  
  A large toolbox isn't practical for that, and you don't need all of the gear listed here for your cat's travel first-aid kit. You can put together a pared-down, travel first-aid kit for your cat by including just the items listed above indicated by this icon 🚗, or you can purchase a pre-made travel first-aid kit for cats like this one.
  
  

Toolbox Set

100 Piece Travel Pet First-Aid Kit

I hope that this article and list have helped you prepare, or double-check, your pet's first-aid kit. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use your first-aid kit, but it truly is better to be over-prepared than under. Stay safe out there.