DIY Puppy Care Supplies and First Aid Kit

Here are some items that I personally can not live without in regards to pet care and I thought it would be a good idea to make a list of items you should have on hand when traveling or just in your house for those times of need.

The following are the basics for a standard puppy and dog care. Keep in mind not everything that works on humans is suitable for Rover and never administer human drugs or prescriptions to your dog without first checking with your vet.

Suggested first aid kit supplies

• Phone numbers: veterinarian, nearest emergency veterinary clinic (and know how to get there!), poison-control center or hotline (such as ASPCA poison control center at 1-800-426-4435)
• Paperwork (in a waterproof container or bag): proof of rabies vaccination status, copies of other important medical records, current photo of your pet in case he gets lost
• Nylon Martingale Dog Collar and 6 ft Nylon leash or a Hands Free Leash (nice for training)
• Car Harness
• Poo Bags and Holder for your leash
• 30 Foot Outdoor Long Line and Tie-Out for time spent outdoors when traveling

Basic supplies

• A dog first aid book. We like The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats (Prevention Pets)
  It’s a little hefty but it covers everything from allergic reactions to removing wax from fur.
• Identification tags
• A travel pet carrier
• Stainless Steel or Ceramic Food Bowls
• Kongs (or other stuffables)
• Nutri-Cal for Puppy High-Calorie Nutritional Supplement (for stressful times like travel)
• Fortiflora – for treating diarrhea
• Pumpkin in a can – also for treating diarrhea
• Vetericyn All Animal Wound & Skin Care – simply spray it on to help clean and heal hot spots, bites, scratches, cuts, burns, ulcerated skin and more. Steroid and antibiotic-free.
• Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment like neosporin
• Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements (Treats Itchy dogs, flaky coats, pimply belly bumps)
• Ice pack/Hot Pack
• Non-latex disposable gloves
• Rectal thermometer and plastic covers (your pet’s temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
• Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) to clean thermometer
• Petroleum jelly (to lubricate thermometer)
• Scissors (with blunt ends)
• Sterile saline solution (for cleaning out wounds)
• Elizabethan Pet Cone Collars to prevent wound licking
• Self-cling bandage (Stretches and sticks to itself but not to fur—available at pet stores and through pet supply catalogs)
• Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting when injured

NEVER use these items without a veterinarian’s instruction and approval:

• Mineral oil – for use as a laxative
• Hydrogen peroxide – to induce vomiting
• Benadryl™ tablets/capsules – for allergic reactions
• Boric acid solution – for soaking wounds

In addition to the items listed above, include any items recommended by your veterinarian specifically for your pet. Check the supplies in your pet first aid kit occasionally. Replace any items that have expired.

Can’t Live without Grooming Items:

• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Hair Dryer
• Dematting Comb – a must for all Doodle and Poodle owners
• Andis Pet 7-1/2-Inch Steel Grooming Comb (65730)
• Tropiclean D-Mat Tangle Remover Spray
• Nail clippers for dogs
• Kwik Stop Stypic Powder (in case you snip the nail quick by accident to stop bleeding)
• Gold Medal Groomers Ear Powder (for gripping ear hair)
• Tweezers and Hemostat Tool (for pulling ear hair /splinters etc.)
• Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner (preventive)
• Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution for Pet Ears (treatment)
• Invest in a nice set of Clippers and learn to use them, this can save you hundreds of dollars but you might have to sumbit your poor dog to some pretty funny haircuts in the begining believe me I know from personal experiance and so do my poor humiliated dogs

 Great Post on Grooming the Doodle

Print-out to take with you to the groomer:Doodle-Do Print-out

Must Have Chew Toys

Antler Chews – These can be a lot more then your regular dog bones but they also last 100X longer then your regular dog bones. I highly recommend all dog owners invest in Antlers for their dogs, they will love you for it!