Dog First Aid: Keeping Your Dog Safe on the Trails
Hiking with a dog can be an exciting adventure for both you and your pup. Unfortunately, accidents can happen, and your dog may become injured on the trail. As a dog owner, it is essential to understand how to provide immediate care to your pet until you can get them the veterinary care they may need. This is also known as dog first aid.
This article will provide you with the first aid basics and discuss the most common injuries encountered when hiking with a dog. I will give you a guide to setting up your dog’s first aid kit and tips on avoiding injury.
The Basics of Dog First Aid
Dog first aid aims to reduce pain and prevent further injury until additional medical care can be provided. This may be as simple as using some saline to rinse off your dog’s wound and applying a temporary bandage. Don’t worry; no one expects you to be a veterinary wizard on the trail. Your goal is to provide some initial care until you can seek additional medical attention.
Common Injuries While Hiking
There are a wide variety of accidents that can occur while hiking. Below is a list of the most common injuries dogs experience on the trail.
- Insect Bites
Bee stings and other insect bites are common in dogs exploring the outdoors. Just like when you get stung by a bee, the initial sting can hurt and cause swelling. The number of bites and the location of the swelling will often determine the severity of the reaction. In some cases, insect bites around the nose or mouth can cause swelling that can interfere with your pet’s breathing. Some dogs can have allergic reactions to insect bites and develop hives.
If you can see a stinger, use a pair of tweezers to remove it. Clean the area and apply a cold water bottle or ice pack if possible. If the reaction is severe, your dog may need attention from a local veterinarian.
- Strains, Sprains, and Broken Bones
I don’t know about you, but I’m not always the most coordinated on the trails. I’ve taken my fair share of stumbles and falls. Our dogs are at risk of encountering the same injuries while hiking. These tumbles can result in strains, sprains, and in the worst case, the occasional broken bone.
Pay close attention to any signs of limping or discomfort on the trail. Dogs can’t always tell us where it hurts, so reading their body language is essential. If your dog begins to limp, call it a day and give them a few good days of rest. If your pet is still moving slowly after a few days, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have them assessed.
When dealing with a suspected broken bone, use what you have to make a splint to support the affected limb. Small tree branches can be helpful to provide support. Stabilizing the limb above and below the suspected break can help reduce pain and further injury while you transport your pet to the closest veterinary hospital.
- Cuts and Scrapes
Cuts and scrapes to a dog’s paw pads are the most common injuries seen while hiking. Most people hike in sturdy hiking boots to protect their feet from the trails’ rocky and sometimes sharp surfaces. Our dogs are do not always have the same hiking gear, and their paw pads can be very sensitive.
If your pet encounters a cut while hiking, clean the area and apply a temporary bandage. Canine hiking boots can help protect your pet’s feet on the trail. Cuts and scrapes to other parts of the body may not be as easily avoidable, so make sure you have a dog first aid kit and are prepared.
Creating a Dog First Aid Kit
You can purchase a first aid kit or make your own. The Adventure Medical Kits Dog Series Me & My Dog First Aid Kit for Dogs is a great option. Putting together a dog first aid kit doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Having a few essentials can be extremely helpful in case of an emergency. Some of the items your dog first aid kit should include are:
A more extensive list of supplies developed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can be found here.
Many of the materials in this list are essential for cleaning and bandaging a wound. In the case of a thorn in a paw or an insect sting, tweezers are especially helpful for removing these foreign objects.
Keeping your dog on a leash is crucial for your dog’s safety and others on the trail. Accidents happen, and leashes can break, so it’s always a good idea to have an extra one on hand. I personally use this leash most of the time.
For some, a muzzle may seem like an odd thing to have in a first aid kit. While your dog may be the friendliest dog on the planet, pain can make both people and pets react in unexpected ways. If your dog encounters a severe injury on the trail, a muzzle is a crucial tool to keep you safe and allow you to provide the first aid your pet desperately needs.
Assemble your dog’s first aid kit into a small bag so that all of your supplies are easily accessible in one place. Keep your kit with your hiking gear, and make sure you always have it when hitting the trails with your pup. Hopefully, you will never need it, but it’s always good to be prepared.
How to Avoid Injury
Injuries are sometimes unavoidable, but you can take precautions to reduce the risk of the most common hiking injuries. Just like us, dogs need the proper equipment and must work up to the more challenging hikes. When your pup gets tired or is inexperienced, injuries are more likely to occur.
Start with short beginner hikes and slowly build to more challenging ones as your dog gets more experienced. Doing this will help your dog build up their endurance and learn how to maneuver rocky terrain. Make sure your dog has the essential dog hiking gear for the terrain such as boots to protect their feet.
Summary
While hiking with your dog can be a great bonding experience, it’s essential to recognize that accidents can happen. Just as you should carry a first aid kit for yourself, be prepared to administer first aid to your dog. Understand the most common canine injuries and what you can do to manage them on the trail. With this information as your guide, you’ll be ready to explore the great outdoors with your dog in no time.
