BestDogBox - Safety Guide

Dog First Aid &Emergency Guide

Knowing what to do in the first 5 minutes of an emergency can save your dog's life. This is the guide we hope you never need, but every dog owner should read once.

Updated March 2026
Vet-Reviewed Content
8 min read

Important Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for veterinary care. In any emergency, your first call should be to your vet or the nearest emergency animal hospital. Save your emergency vet's number in your phone right now if you haven't already.

7 Emergencies and Exactly What to Do

We consulted with emergency veterinarians to put these together. Each one tells you exactly what to do, what not to do, and when to drop everything and drive to the vet.

Choking

Immediate Action

What to Do

  1. 1Stay calm. Open their mouth and look for the object. If you can see it and grab it safely, pull it out
  2. 2If you can't reach it, do the Heimlich: for large dogs, stand behind them and push up firmly just behind the rib cage. For small dogs, hold them upside down and apply 5 back blows
  3. 3If they go unconscious, lay them on their side and do chest compressions while someone drives to the emergency vet

Do Not

Don't push the object further down. Don't stick your fingers deep into the throat blindly.

Rush to the Vet If

Immediately if the object doesn't come out within 30-60 seconds, or if your dog loses consciousness.

Poisoning

Time Critical

What to Do

  1. 1Identify what they ate and how much. Take a photo of the packaging if possible
  2. 2Call ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 ($75 fee) or Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 ($85 fee). They'll tell you whether to induce vomiting or not
  3. 3If told to induce vomiting: 1 teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 lbs of body weight. Do NOT induce vomiting for corrosive substances, petroleum products, or sharp objects

Do Not

Don't induce vomiting unless told to by a professional. Some poisons cause more damage coming back up.

Rush to the Vet If

Always. Even if your dog seems fine, many poisons have delayed effects that show up hours later.

Bleeding / Wounds

Act Fast

What to Do

  1. 1Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or gauze for at least 5 minutes. Don't keep lifting the cloth to check
  2. 2For paw wounds: wrap the paw firmly and keep them off it. Muzzle your dog if the pain makes them snap
  3. 3For deep wounds: apply pressure, wrap loosely to keep clean, and get to the vet. Don't try to clean deep puncture wounds yourself

Do Not

Don't use a tourniquet unless you have actual training. Don't apply hydrogen peroxide to deep wounds.

Rush to the Vet If

If bleeding doesn't slow after 10 minutes of pressure, wound is deep enough to see tissue, or the wound is from another animal.

Heatstroke

Life Threatening

What to Do

  1. 1Move them to shade or air conditioning immediately. Normal dog temp is 101-102.5°F; above 104°F is dangerous, above 106°F is critical
  2. 2Cool them gradually: wet towels on neck, armpits, and groin. Run cool (not cold) water over them. Offer small amounts of water
  3. 3Do NOT use ice or ice-cold water. Cooling too fast can cause shock and make things worse

Do Not

Don't submerge them in ice water. Don't force water into their mouth if they're disoriented.

Rush to the Vet If

Always with suspected heatstroke, even if they seem to recover. Internal organ damage may not be visible.

Broken Bone / Limping

Urgent

What to Do

  1. 1Keep them as still as possible. Don't try to set the bone or straighten the limb
  2. 2If they can walk on three legs and aren't crying, it may be a sprain. Monitor for 24 hours
  3. 3For transport: use a board, blanket, or large towel as a stretcher. Support the injured area and keep movement minimal

Do Not

Don't give human painkillers. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are toxic to dogs. Ask your vet about safe pain relief.

Rush to the Vet If

If the limb is hanging at an odd angle, there's visible bone, they won't put any weight on it, or they're in severe pain.

Seizures

Serious

What to Do

  1. 1Don't restrain them. Move furniture and objects away so they don't hurt themselves
  2. 2Time the seizure. Most last 30-90 seconds. If it goes past 3 minutes, that's a true emergency
  3. 3After the seizure, they'll be confused and possibly blind temporarily. Keep the room quiet and dark. Stay close but give them space

Do Not

Don't put anything in their mouth. Dogs cannot swallow their tongues. You will get bitten.

Rush to the Vet If

If it's their first seizure ever, if it lasts more than 3 minutes, or if they have multiple seizures in 24 hours.

Eye Injuries

Urgent

What to Do

  1. 1Flush the eye gently with clean saline solution or lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes
  2. 2If there's something embedded in the eye, do NOT try to remove it. Cover the eye loosely with a damp cloth
  3. 3Use an e-collar or cone to prevent your dog from pawing at the eye, which will make it much worse

Do Not

Don't use eye drops meant for humans. Don't try to remove embedded objects.

Rush to the Vet If

Any eye injury warrants a vet visit within 24 hours. If the eye is swollen shut, bleeding, or your dog can't open it, go immediately.

Dog First Aid Kit Checklist

Put this together on a weekend. Cost it about $30-40 at any pharmacy. Keep it somewhere you can grab in 10 seconds, not buried in a closet. Bring a smaller version in the car if you travel with your dog.

Gauze pads and rolls

Wound packing and bandaging

Medical adhesive tape

Securing bandages

Digital thermometer (rectal)

Checking for fever or heatstroke

Hydrogen peroxide 3%

Inducing vomiting (only if directed by poison control)

Disposable gloves

Protecting yourself and keeping wounds clean

Blunt-tip scissors

Cutting bandages, removing matted fur from wounds

Saline wound wash

Flushing wounds and eyes

Styptic powder or cornstarch

Stopping nail bleeding (broken/cut nails)

Benadryl (diphenhydramine)

Mild allergic reactions (1 mg per lb, vet-advised)

Emergency vet phone number

Saved in your phone and on your fridge

ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435

Keep this number saved. You won't remember it in a crisis

Muzzle or fabric strip

Even gentle dogs may bite when in severe pain

When to Drop Everything and Go

Not sure if it's an emergency? If you see any of these, don't wait. Don't Google it. Just go.

Difficulty breathing, blue-tinged gums, or gasping

Uncontrolled bleeding that won't slow with pressure

Suspected poisoning (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, rat poison, medications)

Can't stand up, walk, or is dragging their back legs

Seizure lasting more than 3 minutes or multiple seizures in a row

Bloated, hard stomach with dry heaving (possible GDV/torsion)

Hit by a car, even if they seem fine afterward

Eye popping out of the socket (yes, this happens with certain breeds)

Snake bite or severe allergic reaction with facial swelling

Unconscious or completely unresponsive

Emergency Numbers to Save Right Now:

ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435

Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661

Both charge a consultation fee ($75-85) but it's worth it. They have toxicologists on call 24/7.

Keep Your Dog Safe and Healthy

Prevention beats treatment every time. Explore our other guides on dog health, anxiety, and nutrition.

Dog Anxiety GuideNutrition Guide