Thanks to Michael Salter for yesterday’s guest post on the contents of a First Aid Kit for Dogs. While I had some of the items in my home, I didn’t have them in a central place, and I certainly didn’t have them handy when I traveled. Thanks to my amazing and supportive sister Alice from Loving My Company for helping me and photographing these DIY projects.
When I started to put together a First Aid Kit for Dogs, I went to Target. I started putting boxes of things in my cart, including large quantities of items I didn’t need. While I was mentally lamenting the cost of buying more than I needed, I spotted Target’s All-Purpose First Aid Kit, and I knew I had the perfect beginning for all my pet first aid needs.
There were a few unnecessary items for a dog first aid kit, such as bandages, so I added those to my supplies for my family. Following Michael’s list, I found most of the items at Target with a few specialty items in other places. Almost everything fits into this container.
DIY First Aid Kit
Supplies
- plastic container (we think this is the most durable and practical solution)
- tape
- downloadable template for Emergency Information
- acetate
- scissors
We wanted an easy way to have the emergency numbers always available, so we created this free downloadable First Aid Emergency Numbers template.
We used the acetate to make a little pocket similar to our food storage container to keep the paper from tearing (and to make it easy to replace if the numbers change).
The list also called for a blanket, duct tape, emergency info, cloth strips, and small towels, so I purchased an inexpensive tote bag from Joanne Fabrics.
DIY First Aid Tote Bag
Supplies:
- canvas tote bag
- cutting utensil
- cutting mat or a protected surface
- ruler
- duct tape
- acrylic paint
- paintbrush
- cardboard to keep paint from seeping to the other side
Inspired by The Sweetest Occasion’s Apothecary Jar, we used the same principle for our bag, building a stencil on the mat to start. Each part of our cross is approximately 5 inches long and 1 inch wide.
Apply a template to a tote bag. Insert cardboard into the bag.
Paint.
Let dry and remove the tape.
When I’m out for a walk with my dogs, I’m not going to carry the big bag, so I made a small bag for the minimum first aid supplies.
DIY Small Bag for First Aid
Supplies
- small cloth drawstring bag
- fabric ink
- rubber stamp
- iron
After stamping the bag, it is recommended that you heat set the ink by ironing it. It really couldn’t be easier to make this, and I think it would also make a cute gift bag!
You can see more of Alice’s photography by following Loving My Company on Instagram.
About Loving My Company: Based in Central New York, Alice specializes brand photography for women creative entrepreneurs and teaches other photographers how to grow their businesses.
I saw the emergency numbers sheet on your last post and was hoping for a printable! Thanks for including it; I can’t wait to update my kit!
I appreciate your comment, glad you saw the printable!
That little pawprint bag is so cute! You’re right, it would be easy to turn into gift bags as well 🙂
Thanks Lisa!
An outstanding DIY project. This should be a “no-brainer” for anyone with a companion animal. Lots of great ideas.
This looks totally awesome. Our dog first aid kit at home is huge; we have the stuff in a cooler. For travel we take a smaller version; doesn’t look nearly as good as yours 🙂
The important part is that you have it!
We recently won a pet first aid kit and I love having everything in one place It is great for those of us who tend to panic and lose their minds in an emergency! LOL!
Before putting together my kit, I wouldn’t have been able to tell someone where everything was in an emergency.
This is fantastic! Love how you’ve offered the how-to with pictures, what a great resource.
Thanks Amy, I just ordered my copy of your pet first aid book.
Love this. I’ll have to do this afternoon. Would be handy to have a kit at home and in my car for travel and events like Canadian Pet Expo this weekend just in case
What a great post. We have a sweet little rescue who is loved like one of the kids. I have a small first aid kit for her in the car but I really need to get one for the house.
What a great idea! These kits would make nice gifts for dog owners, too.
I think you are right about them being great gifts. It is just the kind of thing everyone needs but doesn’t always get around to putting together.
I definitely need to put one of these together for our 2 days. I love the stamped drawstring bag, too!
Thank you!
What a great idea. I love the idea of a larger bag and a travel bag too!
This is so cute! Thanks for sharing how you did it. I might just have to give it a try. Having all of those tools on hand for an emergency is so important. You never know when you will need them.
It is definitely better to be safe than sorry!
What a cute kit! I have one I keep in the house and a small one for hiking but I usually don’t carry one for walks. I should put something together.
Wonderful design for a dog’s first aid kit. Room for everything that’s needed! Love the idea of having a smaller, more portable one as well.
Thank you Marie.
I have never thought about first aid for a dog. When I lived in the country it could have come in handy. Who knows what our dogs got into or the fights they were in.
This is so adorable! I love it!
Thanks Rachel!
What a wonderful project, thanks so much for sharing all the components of this. It will be a pleasure to share this with our community.
Annette @PetsAreFound
Thank you so much for sharing!
What a great DIY project, I love this! It’s a great idea because so many times the prepackaged first aid kits don’t contain all the items you really need. I created my own as well with items I’ve learned are really important to have with us when travelling. I’m so shocked at how much Hydrogen Peroxide, triple antibiotic ointment and bandages I’ve used for my dog’s cuts and injuries!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
A tote bag is a perfect thing to keep some of the bulkier first aid supplies in. I’ll have to grab one of mine and start collecting for the kitties! I love that you made a small one to carry around, too. How clever 🙂
This is a great idea, your kits look fab!
What a great idea. We add a few other things to our kit (but it isn’t nearly as pretty!) based on long term – international – travel. Things to splint, stuff to help throw up etc. antibiotic creams and drops, eye flushing etc. As well as the latin name for stuff so if we need to see a pharmacist or vet that does not speak one of the many languages we do – we can at least communicate that.
We get a bunch of tiny travel size doses from our vet for flying since we do carry on only. I DO like this idea and may do this for our car for road trips.
Knowing the latin name must help a ton with the language barriers! Tiny travel doses sounds like an excellent idea too.
This is practical and adorable. I have a very simple emergency kit for my pets, but I really should add more of these items to it. Thanks for the reminder! I love the bag!
You are quite welcome! Thanks for the love!