In the February issue of The Pilot I wrote about having a “go kit for your pets. This “go” kit consists of items you need should you suddenly have to evacuate with your companion animal due to an earthquake or other disaster.

Since April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month — yes, there is such a thing — I thought I would talk about some steps you can take to be prepared should your companion animal ever need first aid.

Each owner should have a pet first aid kit. I want to stress a pet first aid kit is not meant to take the place of a veterinarys care. However by having a pet first aid kit you will often be able to provide care prior to transporting your pet to your vet if warranted.

You can put together your own first aid kit or buy a kit that is ready made. I like to suggest you put your own kit together because you will remember what is in the kit. If you decide to purchase a readymade kit — and there are good ones out there — I caution you to be sure you are not buying something that is just a bunch of bandages.

While it’s great if you already have a pet first aid kit at home, what about the times you take hikes or travel with “Rover”? I recommend you also have a smaller first aid kit in a waist pack that goes with you on your hikes with Rover. For the times you travel with Rover, I highly recommend you have a second pet first aid kit in your car.

I am often asked what items should go in a pet first aid kit. Some general items would include bandages, tweezers, ointments, disinfectants, and a muzzle. Space does not allow me to list every item, however, if you would like me to email you a detailed list of suggested items for your pet first aid kit, please send an email to me and put “Pet First Aid Kit” in the subject line.

While a pet first aid kit is a “good thing” to have, it is just as important to know what is normal for your pet. For example, if your normally friendly cat suddenly starts to hide in out of the way places, this may be a sign that all is not well. Cats, in particular, will often hide when they are not feeling well. Unlike dogs, cats tend to mask their symptoms because in the wild a sick cat becomes prey for predators. Now, if it is normal for your animal to sleep in out of the way places, this may not be cause for concern! What you want to be alert for are any changes in your animals’ normal behavior.

Be alert to subtle and not so subtle changes in your companion animal especially in cats. Put together or purchase a pet first aid kit before you need one! You can never predict when you will need such a kit, so make it a priority to get a kit together today. By having a pet first aid kit and being alert to what is not normal for your companion animal you have taken steps to become a caring and conscientious pet owner.

— Jan Brown

Jan is the Owner of Jan’s Pet Sitting and is a PetTech Pet First Aid Instructor. She can be reached at .