Dog first-aid kit for Canadian homes, cars and cottages

Key takeaways

• The AVMA (U.S.) kit checklist includes phone numbers, a copy of your dog’s medical record, gauze, clean towels, non-stick bandages, tape, blunt-end scissors, gloves, a flashlight, tweezers and saline.
• Do not give human medicines. Our guide to 10 human medicines dogs must not have explains why.
• Activated charcoal and hydrogen peroxide are on the AVMA (U.S.) list only for use when a vet or poison control tells you to use them.
• We found no Canadian animal poison helpline. Two U.S. lines are named below, and both charge or may charge a fee. A Pet Poison Helpline news release says its service is available in North America.
• Ticks: the Government of Ontario says to use fine-tipped tweezers close to the skin and pull straight out, without twisting or squeezing.
• Porcupine quills: go to the vet. Do not remove or trim them.
• First aid is a bridge to the vet, not a substitute for the vet.

What goes in the kit

The table follows the Pet First Aid brochure from the American Veterinary Medical Association (2025, U.S.). It is an American checklist; Canadian humane societies and vets say to build your kit with your own vet. The Edmonton Humane Society, for example, says to work with your veterinarian to decide what the kit holds. Ask your vet to confirm each item and to show you how to use it.

Item	What it is for	Notes from the sources
Phone numbers	Your vet, the nearest 24-hour hospital and a poison line, on paper and in your phone.	See the emergency contacts section below.
Copy of medical record	Gives a new clinic your dog’s history, vaccines and medicines.	On the AVMA (U.S.) checklist.
Digital thermometer	To take your dog’s temperature (AVMA). Ask your vet how, and what reading needs a call.	On the AVMA (U.S.) checklist.
Muzzle	Ask your vet how to fit and introduce one.	The AVMA (U.S.) says do not muzzle a vomiting pet.
Spare leash and collar	Lets you move or restrain your dog safely.	On the AVMA (U.S.) checklist.
Gauze roll, non-stick bandages or clean cloth	Wrap or protect a wound and control bleeding (AVMA).	For bleeding, the AVMA (U.S.) says apply firm pressure, add towels, and do not remove a soaked one.
Self-adhering non-stick tape and adhesive tape	Hold a dressing in place.	On the AVMA (U.S.) checklist.
Clean towels	Pressure, cooling, wrapping and moving your dog.	The AVMA (U.S.) names wet towels at the neck, armpits and groin for heatstroke.
Blunt-end scissors and disposable gloves	Cut tape and gauze safely; protect your hands.	On the AVMA (U.S.) checklist.
Small flashlight	See a mouth, ear or wound in poor light.	On the AVMA (U.S.) checklist.
Fine-tipped tweezers	Remove a tick.	The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of Ontario both name fine-tipped tweezers.
Eye dropper or large needle-less syringe	Give oral treatments or flush wounds (AVMA), as your vet directs.	On the AVMA (U.S.) checklist.
Sterile lubricating jelly and saline solution	Jelly to protect wounds or eyes; saline to clean wounds or flush eyes (AVMA).	On the AVMA (U.S.) checklist. Ask your vet to show you how.
Activated charcoal	Only if a vet or poison control instructs you.	AVMA (U.S.): use only on instruction.
3% hydrogen peroxide	Only after you contact a vet or poison control. Not for wounds.	AVMA (U.S.): contact your vet or poison control first, and do not give more than one dose unless your vet says so. Pet Poison Helpline (U.S.) says too much can damage the gut.

Build one kit for each place you spend time: the home, the car and the cottage. Keep the items together in a clear bag or box, check dates on anything that expires, and store it away from children. If you want a pre-built kit, ask your vet which items to add or skip. We do not recommend brands.

What not to give

Do not give human medicines unless a vet tells you to. Many human medicines are unsafe for dogs, and the guide below explains the main ones. Read never give your dog these 10 human medicines. For food and household hazards, see toxic foods and household hazards for dogs.

Do not make your dog vomit on your own. The AVMA (U.S.) says to induce vomiting with 3% hydrogen peroxide only after contacting your vet or poison control, and the Pet Poison Helpline (U.S.) says to call a professional first because too much peroxide can damage the gastrointestinal tract. Keep the product container so you can read the label to the vet.

Emergency contacts for Canadian dog owners

Save three numbers: your own vet, the nearest 24-hour hospital and a poison line. Our guide to 24-hour emergency vets in Canada lists hospitals, and when to go to a 24-hour emergency hospital and what it costs explains the visit. Find a vet flags clinics with 24-hour emergency care.

Line	What the source says	Canada
ASPCA Animal Poison Control (U.S.)	(888) 426-4435, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “A consultation fee may apply.”	The page does not say whether it serves Canada. Ask when you call.
Pet Poison Helpline (U.S.)	(855) 764-7661, available 24/7. The FAQ lists a one-time consultation fee of $99 per incident that covers follow-up consultations; it does not state the currency.	A Pet Poison Helpline news release on its site says the service is available in North America. Ask when you call.

We found no Canadian animal poison helpline. Fees are set by each line and can change. Confirm the fee and whether the line takes calls from Canada before you need it. Our guide on toxic foods says the same.

Cottage and cold-weather additions

Situation	What the official sources say	Go to the vet?
Ticks	Check your dog after time outdoors. Ticks often attach to the head, neck and ears (Public Health Agency of Canada). Ontario says removing a tick is the same for humans and animals: use fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick close to the skin and pull straight out; do not twist or squeeze. Do not use a match, nail polish, petroleum jelly, liquid soap or kerosene. The Public Health Agency of Canada says to wash the bite area with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer, and to talk with your vet about tick prevention and Lyme vaccines for dogs.	Ask your vet on prevention, and show any tick you found.
Porcupine quills	Contact your vet immediately. Quills can migrate and cause internal damage, and the source cites “the usual need for anesthetic” (Alberta Animal Health Source, Alberta Veterinary Medical Association). Do not remove them, trim them, or put a muzzle or harness over them.	Yes, immediately.
Blue-green algae in lakes	If you see a bloom, assume toxins are present, avoid contact, do not drink the water and restrict pet and livestock access to the water. Report it (Government of Ontario, updated October 1 2026).	Call your vet if your dog was in the water.
Winter salt and cold	Wipe your dog’s paws after a walk to remove salt, sand and other harmful substances. Take shorter, more frequent walks, use a sweater or coat, check outdoor water bowls for freezing, and avoid leaving pets in a cold car (Ottawa Humane Society, December 9 2021).	If your dog will not use a paw or shivers, ask your vet.

For a cottage or trailer, add a printed sheet with the address of the nearest 24-hour clinic and the drive time, a spare towel and your dog’s vaccine record. See travelling in Canada with your dog for more.

First aid for common emergencies

The AVMA (U.S.) brochure gives short steps. We found no Canadian veterinary association sheet with first-aid steps for these emergencies. Use these steps while you contact your vet, not instead of contacting your vet.

• Bleeding (AVMA, U.S.). Apply firm pressure directly over the bleeding with a clean cloth or towel, for at least three minutes before checking. If blood soaks through, add towels on top; do not remove the soaked one. If the bleeding is severe, go to the closest veterinary hospital.
• Heatstroke (AVMA, U.S.). Move your dog to shade or a cool indoor space, place towels wetted with room-temperature water around the neck, in the armpits and in the groin, avoid a tub of cool or cold water, use a fan, and go to the closest veterinary hospital. See summer heat, cars, pavement and water safety.
• Seizure (AVMA, U.S.). Clear the area, do not restrain your dog, keep your hands away from its mouth and time the seizure. Contact your vet when it stops.
• Poisoning (AVMA, U.S.). Call your vet or a poison line, keep the product container, and do not induce vomiting or give medication unless directed.
• Choking. Follow the AVMA brochure steps your vet has shown you, and go to a vet.

For the signs that need a vet right away, read emergency signs every owner should know.

First-aid courses

Course	What the page says	Checked
Canadian Red Cross, First Aid for Dogs and Cats	Online. Five modules: knowing what is normal, breathing and cardiac emergencies including CPR, wounds and bleeding, seizures, and preventative care, health and well-being. A certificate of completion. The page lists no price in the text we saw.	October 23 2026. Check the page for the current price.
Ottawa Humane Society, Pet First Aid	$130 per participant, taxes included. A one-day, five-hour course at 245 West Hunt Club Road. Includes a first-aid kit, handouts and a participation certificate. Next date listed: Sunday, November 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A 25% adopter discount is listed.	October 23 2026. Schedules and prices change.

A course shows you how to use the kit. Ask your local humane society whether it runs one.

Myth vs fact

Myth	Fact
Make your dog vomit for anything it swallowed.	The AVMA (U.S.) says to use hydrogen peroxide only after contacting your vet or poison control. The Pet Poison Helpline (U.S.) says too much can damage the gut.
Burn or smother a tick to make it let go.	Ontario says not to use a match, nail polish, petroleum jelly, liquid soap or kerosene. Pull it straight out with fine-tipped tweezers.
Put a heatstroke dog in a cold tub.	The AVMA (U.S.) says a tub of cool or cold water can make the condition worse. Move to shade, use towels wetted with room-temperature water at the neck, armpits and groin, use a fan, and go to a vet.
Trim or pull porcupine quills at the cottage.	Alberta Animal Health Source says to contact your vet immediately and not to remove, trim, muzzle or harness over quills.
A little blue-green scum is harmless.	Ontario says if you see a bloom, assume toxins are present and restrict pet access to the water.
A first-aid kit means you can skip the vet.	The AVMA (U.S.) says first aid care is not a substitute for veterinary care.

Frequently asked questions

What should be in a dog first-aid kit?

The AVMA (U.S.) checklist includes important phone numbers, a copy of your dog’s medical record, a digital thermometer, a muzzle, a spare leash and collar, gauze, clean towels, non-stick bandages, tape, blunt-end scissors, gloves, a flashlight, tweezers, an eye dropper or syringe, sterile lubricating jelly and saline. Activated charcoal and hydrogen peroxide are for use only when a vet or poison control tells you to. Ask your vet to review your kit.

Is there a Canadian pet poison hotline?

We found no Canadian animal poison helpline. Two U.S. lines exist: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, (888) 426-4435, where a consultation fee may apply, and the Pet Poison Helpline, 855-764-7661, which lists a $99 consultation fee per incident. The ASPCA page does not say whether it serves Canada; a Pet Poison Helpline news release says its service is available in North America. Ask when you call. Your own vet or the nearest 24-hour hospital is the first call.

Can I give my dog human pain medicine?

No. Do not give human medicines unless a vet tells you to. See our guide to 10 human medicines dogs must not have, and call your vet or a poison line if your dog has swallowed one.

How do I remove a tick from my dog?

Ontario says to use fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick close to the skin and pull straight out without twisting or squeezing. Do not use a match, nail polish, petroleum jelly, liquid soap or kerosene. The Public Health Agency of Canada says to wash the bite area with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer and to talk with your vet about tick prevention and Lyme vaccines for dogs.

Where can I take a dog first-aid course in Canada?

The Canadian Red Cross lists an online First Aid for Dogs and Cats course with five modules and a certificate. The Ottawa Humane Society lists a one-day Pet First Aid course for $130 including taxes, with the next date listed as Sunday, November 29. Check each page for the current price and date.

Keep reading

• 24-hour emergency vets in Canada
• Never give your dog these 10 human medicines
• Emergency signs every owner should know
• Toxic foods and household hazards for dogs
• When to go to a 24-hour emergency hospital and what it costs

Sources

• AVMA (U.S.): Pet First Aid brochure (2025) (accessed October 23 2026)
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control (U.S.) (accessed October 23 2026)
• Pet Poison Helpline (U.S.): FAQ (accessed October 23 2026)
• Pet Poison Helpline (U.S.): If your pet eats something toxic, hold the hydrogen peroxide (accessed October 23 2026)
• Canadian Red Cross: First Aid for Dogs and Cats course (accessed October 23 2026)
• Ottawa Humane Society: Pet First Aid course (accessed October 23 2026)
• Edmonton Humane Society: emergency pet preparedness (accessed October 23 2026)
• Alberta Animal Health Source (Alberta Veterinary Medical Association): porcupine quills in dogs (accessed October 23 2026)
• Public Health Agency of Canada: protect your pets from ticks and Lyme disease (June 15 2020, modified September 10 2026) (accessed October 23 2026)
• Government of Ontario: tick-borne diseases (updated February 4 2026) (accessed October 23 2026)
• Government of Ontario: blue-green algae (updated October 1 2026) (accessed October 23 2026)
• Ottawa Humane Society: cold-weather dangers to pets (December 9 2021) (accessed October 23 2026)

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