Best Dog First Aid Kits of 2025
June 17th, 2025
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While we hope you never have to use any of the contents of a dog first-aid kit on your furry companion, it’s inevitable that something will happen while adventuring outdoors with your pup.
Broken nails, scrapes, torn paw pads, and minor eye injuries are all extremely common in active dogs who go hiking and camping with their families. And to keep your dog adventuring happily and healthily longer, you’ll need a well-stocked first aid kit.
Could you use a human first aid kit to treat your dog? Sometimes. Wound care is pretty universal, so whether you skin your knee on a hike or your dog gets poked by some thorny brush, supplies used to clean and bandage scrapes and cuts can generally be used for both of you.
On the flip side, some common supplies in human first-aid kits are toxic to dogs, like Ibuprofen. Dog-specific products like a tick remover, slip leash, muzzle, and vet wrap that will make first-aid much easier, especially in emergency situations, won’t not be included in your human first-aid kit either (and trust me, you’ll wish you had them if you ever need them).
Though none of these dog first aid kits are 100% perfect (they could all use a few extras like soft dog booties, honey packets, and styptic powder tossed in), some are much more comprehensive than others. And while the best dog first aid kit for backpacking is different from the best kit for home or car camping use, many of the options are good enough to deal with minor injuries on-the-go.
For more tips on what to bring hiking with your pup, check out our list of Essential Gear for Hiking with Your Dog.
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Comparison table
| DOG FIRST AID KIT | TREELINE AWARD | WEIGHT (MEASURED) | DIMENSIONS | BEST USE | # ITEMS | MSRP* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCA PET Cat & Dog First Aid Kit | Best overall Read why |
30.9 oz | 8.3 x 6.3 x 3.2" | Car camping, overlanding | 100 | $40 |
| ARCA PET Ready-Go Pouch | Best affordable Read why |
9.14 oz | 7.5 x 5 x 1" | Short hikes and walks | 35 | $22 |
| MY MEDIC Pet Medic Med Pack | Best lightweight Read why |
6.14 oz | 6 x 6 x 2.1" | Ultralight backpacking | 18 | $25 |
| Adventure Medical Kits Trail Dog Medical Kit | Best for hiking Read why |
13.44 oz | 7.5 x 5.3 x 1.5" | Day hikes | 27 | $30 |
| Adventure Medical Kits Me & My Dog Medical Kit | 28.92 oz | 7.5 x 5.3 x 3.55" | Keep in the car, for humans and dogs | 52 | $65 |
The winners
Best overall dog first aid kit: Arca Pet First Aid Kit
Weight: 30.9 oz
Contents: Waterproof hard-shell case, EMT Shears, medical tape, styptic pencil, syringe, 2 pods of pet eye wash, tick remover, metal tweezers, 5 wood tongue depressors, digital thermometer, small roll of vet wrap, large roll of vet wrap, slip lead, 6 povidone-iodine prep pads, 6 sting relief pads, 8 gauze pads of varying sizes, instant cold compress, 4 elastic gauze bandages, 4 antiseptic towelettes, mini flashlight, 2 antibiotic ointment packs, basic pet first aid book, 20 pet cotton swabs, emergency blanket, mini pouch, one pair of vinyl gloves, 1 emergency muzzle
Size: 8.3" x 6.3" x 3.2"
Best for: Car camping, overlanding, and multi-day trips
What we liked: Great organization, durable hard shell case; includes both muzzle and slip leash
What we didn’t like: Too bulky for hiking; first-aid guide wasn’t very thorough
The Arca Pet First Aid Kit was by far the most thorough kit we tested, and at $36, it’s reasonably priced, too. Since it’s so thorough, it’s a bit big and bulky, and isn’t suitable for taking with you on hikes. The best use case for this kit is definitely home or car use.
However, this kit comes with a mini carabiner pouch so you can pack a few things to take with you on short hikes when you’re away from your full kit. The pouch isn’t big enough to take a lot of stuff with you, but you’ll easily be able to fit a few essentials.
Arca Pet First Aid Kit
Though this kit is too bulky to take with you on hikes, it’s ideal to keep at home or in your car, and is extremely thorough in its contents. Photo by Jae Thomas
The Arca kit also has great organization, and the interior pockets and pouches keep things easy-to-find. There are plenty of bandages and other scrape/cut essentials to treat multiple dogs on longer road trips or car camping trips, and nothing in this kit feels wholly unnecessary.
There are multiple dog-specific products in this kit that make it a good option, including a slip leash, a muzzle, and a styptic stick that will stop the bleeding on small cuts, scrapes, and broken nails. It also includes cotton swabs, an emergency blanket, an instant ice pack, a mini flashlight, and a thermometer. The included metal tweezers are also high quality, and though the tick tool is made of flimsy plastic, it’s nice to have a dedicated tick remover regardless.
Really the only downside of this first aid kit is that the included first-aid guide isn’t very thorough. There are a few things I would add after buying that would make this kit even better, too. I would look for a better first aid booklet and swap it out, add in two soft dog booties for paw injuries, a few packets of honey (good for treating low blood sugar and shock), and a few individually-wrapped Benadryl. With these small tweaks, this first aid kit would cover you in basically every emergency scenario you could possibly run into with your dog.
Best affordable dog first aid kit: Arca Pet Ready-Go Pouch
Weight: 9.14 oz
Contents: Waterproof bag, 2 3” by 3” gauze pads, 2 antiseptic towelettes, bandage roll, roll of vet wrap, pair of tweezers, tick remover, emergency blanket, EMT shears, roll of tape, whistle, 2 povidone-iodine prep pads, 2 sting relief pads, pair of vinyl gloves, pet first aid manual, 2 pods of pet eye wash
Size: 7.5” x 1” x 5”
Best for: Short hikes and walks, small dogs
What we liked: Compact, lightweight design; budget-friendly;
What we didn’t like: First aid guide wasn’t very thorough; plastic tools aren’t the best quality
If you’re not looking to spend a lot of money on a dog first aid kit, the Arca Pet Ready-Go Pouch has all the essentials, is compact enough to take on hikes, and only costs $20.
Arca Pet Ready-Go Pouch
This smaller Arca kit is better for hiking, though the pet first aid guide could be more detailed. Photo by Jae Thomas
This kit comes in a reflective, water-resistant bag. The reflective front design makes it easy to find in a bag or in the dark with a flashlight. It’s not meant to be submerged, but some light rain or spills won’t ruin the interior contents.
Though it’s small, it comes with a set of EMT shears, which are great for cutting through dog collars or harnesses in an emergency. In addition to the essential cut and scrape products, it also comes with an emergency whistle, emergency blanket, sting relief medicated pads, and vinyl gloves.
Since this kit is on the smaller side, you’ll likely only have enough bandages and other contents for 1-2 incidents before needing to refill its contents. However, if your priorities are an easy-to-bring, small size and budget-friendly price, this is the way to go.
This travel pouch is ideal for packing a few first aid essentials with you for hikes or day trips. Photo by Jae Thomas
Best lightweight kit: My Medic Pet Medic Med Pack
Weight: 6.14 oz
Contents: 1 gauze roll, 2 gauze pads, 1 non-adherent pad, 3 antiseptic towelettes, 1 hand wipe, 3 triple antibiotic ointment packs, 1 roll of 1” vet wrap, 1 paid or gloves, 1 sterile eye/wound wash, tweezers, 2 diphenhydramine, slip leash
Size: 6.05” x 6” x 2.1”
Best for: Ultralight backpacking setups
What we liked: Very lightweight; good quality tweezers; includes a slip lead
What we didn’t like: Comes in two flimsy plastic bags; pet first aid guide is a QR code
The My Medic Pet Medic Med Pack combines the brand’s pre-made Scrape kit (meant for humans) with a few additions for pets. Added on are two individually-wrapped diphenhydramine (Benadryl) tablets, a quality set of metal tweezers for removing splinters and ticks, and a vet-style slip lead. Its ultralight weight makes it ideal for backpackers looking to keep pack weight down.
My Medic Pet Medic Med Pack
Though the My Medic kit doesn’t have a great bag, it’s full of all the essentials and the supplies are good quality. Photo by Jae Thomas
The Scrape pack comes with everything you’d need to treat cuts or minor wounds on yourself or your dog while in the backcountry. To make it a bit more exhaustive, I’d toss in a small plastic bag with styptic powder in case of broken dog nails while hiking.
This kit comes with an extremely thorough, 32-page pet first aid guide that covers a multitude of topics, from how to manage insect bites and wounds, to normal pulse, temperature and respiratory rates for dogs. However, the catch is that it’s accessed via a QR code on your phone. If you remember to pre-download the guide and your phone has battery while hiking, this isn’t an issue. However, if you’re hiking with your dog in the backcountry and have no service or no phone battery, the QR code guide isn’t super helpful. It does save on weight not having a printed booklet, though.
I don’t love the two plastic bag setup, and it felt a bit disorganized. It’s definitely easier to find products in the pre-made kits that have bags with dedicated compartments. However, not having a fabric bag undoubtedly saves on weight. This was the lightest kit we tested and though simple, hits most of the must-have products for a dog first aid kit.
Best dog hiking first aid kit: Adventure Medical Kits Trail Dog First Aid Kit
Weight: 13.44 oz
Contents: Waterproof bag, 1 fluid ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide, 4 fluid ounces of purified water eyewash, 8 alcohol prep pads, 2 3”-by-3” sterile gauze pads, 2 2”-by-3” sterile gauze pads, 3 triple antibiotic ointment packets, 2 antihistamine caplets, 6 antiseptic towelettes, triangular bandage, bandage roll, large roll of vet wrap, pair of tweezers, wound irrigation tool, pet first aid manual
Size: 7.5" x 5.3" x 1.5"
Best for: Best for day hikes
What we liked: Fits nicely in daypacks, has a waterproof interior bag, comes with a big roll of vet wrap
What we didn’t like: List of contents on the bag isn’t accurate, not well-organized
The Adventure Medical Kits Trail Dog First Aid Kit is a good option for folks looking for a first aid kit primarily for day hikes with their dog. It comes with everything you’ll need to treat minor cuts and scrapes your dog may get on the trail and has some nice pet-forward inclusions, like a large roll of vet wrap and a triangular bandage that can be used as a muzzle in emergency situations.
Adventure Medical Kits Trail Dog First Aid Kit
It comes with a pet first aid manual that’s pretty exhaustive and small enough that it doesn’t add on much weight. This kit is also housed in a nice DryFlex zipper bag, which is then stored inside a fabric bag that has spots to write your emergency vet’s and regular vet’s phone numbers, along with a list of kit’s contents printed on it.
One downside to this kit is that the list of contents on the exterior of the bag is inaccurate. The bag lists one eye wash and one saline solution, but the kit only included a purified water eye wash. While this isn’t the biggest issue, it’s mildly annoying that the list isn’t accurate.
The included tweezers were also a bit small and hard to use. We much preferred the larger, longer options that were included in the My Medic and Arca Pets kits.
Finally, though we liked that the contents of the kit are housed in the DryFlex zipper bag, it does make it a bit hard to find things, and it’s not well organized.
Other dog first aid kits we tested
Adventure Medical Kits Me & My Dog Medical Kit
Weight: 28.92 oz
Contents: 2 waterproof bags, sheet of moleskin, pet first aid manual, roll of tape, triangular bandage, 1 fl. oz. 3% hydrogen peroxide, 4 fl. oz. purified water eyewash, gauze roll, 2 3”-by-3” gauze pads, 2 2”-by-3” gauze pads, 5 1”-by-3” adhesive bandages, 2 knuckle bandages, 3 butterfly bandages, 2 alcohol prep pads, 3 triple antibiotic ointment packets, 2 antihistamine capsules, 6 antiseptic towelettes, emergency blanket, instant cold compress, plastic syringe, roll of vet wrap, pair of nitrile gloves, slip leash, 3 safety pins, tweezers, wilderness & travel medicine guide
Size: 7.5" x 5.3" x 3.55"
What we liked: Includes a variety of supplies for both you and your dog; good size to keep in the car for car camping trips
What we didn’t like: Too bulky to hike with; listed aspirin but didn’t include it; listed saline and eyewash separately but only included eyewash; included hydrogen peroxide as a vomit inducer for dogs which isn’t recommended anymore; expensive
The Adventure Medical Kits Me & My Dog pack is a decent option for those wanting to bundle human and dog first aid into one kit. The kit is split between two waterproof, plastic zip bags which then fit into a bigger fabric zip bag.
The organization on this kit isn’t great compared to other options, and all the contents are crammed into the interior zip bags, which can make it hard to find specific things. It’s also quite bulky, and not the best option as a hiking kit. However, it works great as a car first aid kit for both you and your dog.
This kit had aspirin listed on the contents of the bag, but there wasn’t any included in the kit we tested. Aspirin is generally fine for use in humans but generally not recommended for use in dogs without the guidance of a veterinarian. Adverse reactions to aspirin are pretty common in dogs, so if you opt for this kit and it does have aspirin, avoid giving it to your dog.
Hydrogen peroxide is also included in this kit as a way to induce vomiting if your dog ingests something they’re not supposed to. While this was a recommendation of the past, vets generally don’t recommend using hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in dogs anymore.
A few things in this kit that stand out are the instant cold compress, moleskin (great for human blisters while hiking), band aids, and a slip leash.
Adventure Medical Kits Me & My Dog Medical Kit
This kit was quite thorough, but it was too bulky to hike with and was much more expensive than other options we tested. Photo by Jae Thomas
Weight: 12.91 ounces
Contents: 3 4”-by-4” gauze pads, 3 2”-by-2” gauze pads, 1 combine and pad, 4 alcohol prep pads, 4 antiseptic wipes, 4 sting relief pads, 4 povidone-iodine prep pads, 1 emergency blanket, instant ice pack, 4 wooden tongue depressors, pet first aid manual, plastic tweezer, scissors, gauze roll, roll of elastic crepe bandage, roll of tape, paracord, 2 pairs of disposable gloves, 10 cotton swabs
Size: 8.5 x 6 x 4.25 inches
What we liked: Durable and organized bag, includes lots of gauze
What we didn’t like: Doesn’t have medication, styptic powder, or any muzzle or leash
The Kurgo RSG has one of the best cases of all the first aid kits we tested. It’s compact, has good organization on the inside and features MOLLE panels on the outside so mounting it onto a backpack or dog harness is simple.
However, its contents fell short of its competitors. While it comes with more gauze than other kits, it’s missing styptic powder, medication, a muzzle, or leash. Instead of these helpful items, the kit included some weird items, like a piece of paracord and wooden tongue depressors. While these could be useful, we wish it had more practical pieces like saline and antibiotic ointment.
Kurgo RSG First Aid Kit
This kit has a fantastic bag that keeps everything organized, but the contents weren’t as thorough as other options. Photo by Jae Thomas
What to look for in a dog first aid kit
Weight and packability
If your dog first aid kit is heavy and bulky, you’ll be less likely to bring it with you on outdoor adventures. The best dog first aid kits for hiking and camping are compact and lightweight enough to toss in or attach to a hiking daypack or backpacking pack.
Waterproof or weatherproof storage
Look for a dog first aid kit that comes in a waterproof container. If you’re hiking or dealing with an injury in the rain, a waterproof bag can mean the difference between sterile first aid items or a first aid kit that needs to be completely replaced. For additional rainy-day dog adventure protection, check out our Best Dog Raincoats guide.
Ensure your dog first aid kit comes in a waterproof vessel. If the bag isn’t waterproof, consider putting the kit’s contents in a plastic zip bag. Photo by Jae Thomas
Dog-specific items
A slip lead, a muzzle or muzzle alternative, a tick remover, vet wrap, and styptic powder are all must-haves in a dog first aid kit. These products are the ones you may not find in a first aid kit designed for humans.
Human-compatible supplies (if any)
Triple antibiotic ointment, saline, and other basic wound supplies are helpful to use in case you get a scrape, too. However, if you’re going on a multi-day backpacking trip with your dog, you will likely want to carry a human-specific first aid kit in addition to your dog’s.
What’s inside a good dog first aid kit?
Here’s everything you need to help your dog in case of an injury in the outdoors:
Gauze, bandages, vet wrap
Gauze and bandages are helpful to stop bleeding and cover up a wound. Vet wrap can be used to secure gauze and bandages to your dog, provide extra support to a limb if your dog is limping, and can protect your dog from licking or biting at cuts or other wounds. It can also be used to make a temporary muzzle if necessary. Vet wrap won’t stick to your dog’s skin or fur, but stays pretty secure once on. I generally find vet wrap to be a better option than medical tape.
The best dog first aid kits will include multiple sizes of gauze, vet wrap, and med tape to bandage up cuts and scrapes. Photo by Jae Thomas
Tweezers, tick remover
If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors with your dog, it’s almost inevitable that they’ll get a tick or a splinter that needs to be removed, so it’s helpful to have both tweezers and a tick key in your dog’s first aid kit. Tweezers will help with splinters in your dog’s paws, but if you’re not experienced using them to get ticks off your dog, you may break the tick’s body off from its head. A tick key is easier to use, and ensures you get the entire tick out of your dog on the first try.
Saline, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment
Some dogs go all out in the outdoors, especially wide-ranging breeds that like to run big. Dogs who have a tendency to run through tall grass and bushes often get plant matter in their eyes that’s best washed out with saline. Antiseptic wipes are a must to clean scrapes and cuts, and can also be used to clean your dog’s skin after tick or splinter removal.
Antibiotic ointment is helpful to put on a cut or scrape before bandaging it up to encourage healing.
Styptic powder
Styptic powder is a clotting agent that helps stop bleeding from minor cuts or nail issues. Some styptic powders also have ingredients that offer mild pain relief. Dogs break nails and get scraped up while hiking all the time, so having styptic powder at the ready is a good idea.
Dog-safe medications
Dog got stung by a bee while backpacking? A dog-safe amount of Benadryl can be helpful while on the way to the vet. Dog have diarrhea while traveling? Keeping Pro-Pectalin tablets on hand may help. You should also keep any medication your dog has been prescribed by your veterinarian in your first aid kit, in case you forget to bring some along while traveling.
Remember to never give your dog any human pain medication, as most human pain relief is toxic to dogs.
Honey or corn syrup
While most pre-made first aid kits don’t contain these items, keeping a few packets of honey or corn syrup can help if your dog has low blood sugar or if they go into shock from an injury.
Emergency contact card
Write down your emergency contacts and the name of your dog’s primary vet and local emergency vet. You can save these numbers in your phone as well, but in case of a dead or lost phone, it’s best to have a hard copy as well.
Dog first aid guide
If you’re not super knowledgeable on dog first aid, having a comprehensive guide in your kit is a good idea. Opt for a printed, physical guide. Guides based on QR codes are unlikely to work when you're outdoors without phone service.
Scissors and latex gloves
EMT-style bandage shears can be immensely helpful for dog first aid if you need to cut through a dog collar or harness or if you simply need to cut a bandage to the proper size. Latex or nitrile gloves will help you keep any minor injuries you’re treating from getting grimy (especially if you’re dealing with dirty hands from being in the backcountry).
Scissors are helpful to cut bandages and to cut through collars or harnesses in an emergency. Photo by Jae Thomas
Muzzle or soft restraint
Even if your dog has never bitten anyone or anything, dogs in pain are often bite risks. Training your dog to use a muzzle and keeping one in your first aid kit is helpful in case of an emergency. Vet wrap can also be used to make a temporary emergency muzzle if you don’t have one on hand.
Boots, slip leash
One of the most common trail and camping injuries I see in dogs are paw pad injuries. If your dog tears or cuts a paw pad, you can bandage and vet wrap it up, but if you still have a while to go on a hike or camping trip, it can be hard to keep it clean without a dog boot. I like to toss a set of lightweight dog boots in my dog’s first aid kit just in case of paw pad injuries.
A slip leash is also useful in case you need to leash a dog quickly in case of an injury or emergency.
Do you need a dog-specific kit?
Some first aid supplies, like bandages and gauze, can be shared between dogs and humans. However, some common first aid supplies (like over-the-counter medications) that are fine to use in humans can be extremely toxic to dogs. If you’re not sure what can and can’t be shared between a dog first aid kit and a human first aid kit, it’s best to stick to a dog-specific one for ease of mind.
How to build your own dog first aid kit
Can you build your own dog first aid kit? Absolutely. Should you? It depends. With most dog first aid kits costing between $20 and $50, it may be more worth it to just buy a pre-assembled kit. The main perk of buying a full kit is that the bags they come in are optimized for their contents and are easy to pack for a day hike or backpacking trip.
If you’re planning on building a human first aid kit as well, buying the products for both at the same time could save you money, especially if you’re an avid outdoor adventurer who will need to refill their first aid kit essentials fairly frequently. Just be sure to do research on what can and can’t be used on your dog.
Most first-aid essentials can be found at your local pharmacy, but dog-specific items like slip leads, styptic powder, and a muzzle will need to be acquired online or at your local pet store.
Opt for a gallon zip bag to store your homemade first aid kit in, and separate the human-only first aid items into a separate quart or sandwich-sized bag. Write down the contents of each bag on a piece of paper or on the exterior of the bag so you can keep track of when things need to be refilled.
How we researched and tested
I examined each and every piece of equipment in every first aid kit in this story, from counting the amount of bandages included, to testing the strength and durability of the included tick removers and tweezers. I packed each kit in my daypack to see how packable they were for hikes, and evaluated the organization of each kit by testing how long it took me to find specific items in each one.
I also compared each kit list on this to the dog first aid kit I’ve used for many years (the Adventure Medical Kits Trail Dog) and checked which products I’ve used the most of over the years to evaluate the most important pieces of first-aid supplies.
I took each of the first aid kits in this story with me on various hikes, walks, road trips, and to dog sport events. Photo by Jae Thomas
Though I was lucky enough that none of my dogs got injured while testing these kits, I still evaluated how well the bandages covered my dogs, how well the included vet wrap stayed on them, and how well scissors and other tools actually worked.
I noted any low-quality products and only recommended the options that felt high-quality enough that I’d actually purchase them.
My two helper dogs, Miso and Dashi, aided by trying on the muzzles, slip leashes, and bandages of each kit. They were both paid handsomely in tasty treats for their hard work on this story.
About the author / Why you should trust us
Jae Thomas has spent the better half of the last five years adventuring outdoors with her dogs. She’s of the opinion that if the dogs can’t go, she’s not going. With that philosophy, she’s spent lots of time on backcountry public lands trails and on 4x4 roads that not many people venture to, so the dogs could tag along.
Spending time outdoors with dogs is bound to lead to minor injuries. From cactus spines to slipped paw pads to burrs galore, Jae and her dogs have experienced all the inconveniences of the outdoors. She’s put her experience into this guide, noting the essentials of a good dog first-aid kit that she’s used, and mentioning what she wished she had during those times but didn’t.
Jae Thomas is an e-commerce journalist, editor, and dog trainer based in Colorado. She graduated from the New York University journalism program in 2020, and has written and edited commerce content for publications like Mashable, Apartment Therapy, Bon Appetít, Whole Dog Journal, Chewy, CNN Underscored, and more.
Jae is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed, and teaches agility, rally, and other dog sports at Canine Athletics Training Center in Boulder County. Jae uses her background in dog sports and behavior to test outdoor-focused dog gear focused on fit, comfort, safety, and functionality for dogs and their owners.
Jae shares her life with two dogs: mixed breed Miso, and Rough Collie, Dashi. Jae competes in conformation, agility, rally, herding, barn hunt, Fast CAT, and other sports with her dogs and is a pro at traveling, camping, hiking, and adventuring with canine companions in tow.
