Practical examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual

Real‑world examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual

Let’s skip the theory and go straight into examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual that real pet parents actually use. When you’re building yours, imagine it like a home‑grown field guide: short, clear, and designed for 3 a.m. emergencies when you’re half awake and terrified.

A helpful way to organize it is by sections:

• Quick info you need in seconds (contacts, ID, basic health data)
• Common emergencies with step‑by‑step instructions
• Your specific pet’s quirks, meds, and risks
• What to do before you reach the vet

You don’t need to write a textbook. You need a calm voice on paper. So I’ll walk you through examples include style snippets you can literally copy, paste, and tweak.

Example of a “Front Page” emergency info section

The front page should work like an emergency dashboard. Here are best examples of what to include right at the start of your pet first aid manual:

Sample layout you can copy:

Pet Identification

• Name: Luna
• Species/Breed: Dog – Labrador Retriever
• Age: 4 years
• Color/Markings: Yellow, white patch on chest
• Microchip Number: 9851 0000 1234 567

Primary Vet Clinic

• Clinic Name: Green Valley Animal Hospital
• Phone: (555) 555‑0123
• Address: 123 Oak Street, Springfield, ST 00000
• After‑hours instructions: Call clinic; they transfer to on‑call ER

Nearest 24/7 Emergency Vet

• Name: Metro Animal Emergency Center
• Phone: (555) 555‑0456
• Address: 456 Pine Avenue, Metro City, ST 00000

Poison Control

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 1‑888‑426‑4435 (fees may apply)
• Pet Poison Helpline: 1‑855‑764‑7661

These examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual on the first page make it easy for anyone—family, pet sitter, neighbor—to grab your manual and act fast, even if you’re not home.

Examples include vital health details and baseline measurements

Emergencies are easier to recognize when you know what “normal” looks like for your pet. Here’s an example of how to record baseline health info:

Normal Vitals for Luna (Dog)

• Normal resting heart rate: ~80–90 beats per minute
• Normal breathing rate at rest: 18–22 breaths per minute
• Normal temperature: 100.5–102.5°F

Underneath, you can add a short note:

“If temperature is below 99°F or above 103°F, contact a vet or emergency clinic.”

For reference on normal ranges by species, you can note a source like the Merck Veterinary Manual or your vet’s handout. The best examples of manuals include a line like:

“Normal values confirmed with Dr. Smith, Green Valley Animal Hospital, January 2025.”

That way you’re not guessing from random internet charts; you’re working off your own vet’s guidance.

Examples of common emergency scenarios and what to write

This is where your manual earns its keep: clear, short steps for the most likely emergencies. Below are examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual for common situations, written the way you might actually need to read them in a panic.

Example of a choking section

Title: If My Pet Is Choking

Signs to watch for:

• Pawing at mouth
• Gagging, retching, or hacking
• Trouble breathing, wheezing, or silence with open mouth
• Blue or gray gums/tongue (emergency)

What to do (Dog):

• Stay calm, keep pet as still as possible.
• Gently open mouth and look for an object.
• If visible and loose, carefully remove with fingers or blunt tweezers. Do not push it deeper.
• If pet is small, you can use a modified Heimlich maneuver (ask your vet to demonstrate and write down their version).
• If unable to remove object or breathing is severely impaired, go to emergency vet immediately and call on the way.

You can add a note like:

“Vet showed Heimlich technique at visit on March 2025; see printed diagram in pocket at back of manual.”

The best examples of manuals don’t try to teach advanced techniques in paragraphs of text; they give you a few, memorable steps and remind you to get to the vet fast.

Example of a poisoning or toxin exposure section

Title: If My Pet Ate Something Toxic

Examples include: human medications, chocolate, xylitol (sugar‑free gum), grapes/raisins, certain houseplants, antifreeze, rodent poisons.

Steps to write out:

• Stay calm; do not make pet vomit unless a vet or poison control tells you to.
• Note what was eaten, how much, and when. Keep packaging if available.
• Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (1‑888‑426‑4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (1‑855‑764‑7661).
• Follow their instructions exactly.
• If they advise going to a vet, bring the product package or a photo of the label.

You can add a short reference line:

“See ASPCA list of toxic plants and foods: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control”

This is one of those examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual that pays off quickly—poisoning calls have stayed consistently high in recent years, and in 2024–2025, xylitol and THC edibles are still among the top culprits.

Example of a bleeding or wound care section

Title: If My Pet Is Bleeding

What to write:

• Muzzle pet if safe; even gentle pets may bite when in pain.
• Apply firm, direct pressure with clean gauze or cloth for at least 3–5 minutes. Do not peek every few seconds.
• For limb bleeding, you can apply a snug bandage, but avoid tourniquets unless instructed by a vet.
• If blood is soaking through rapidly or spurting, go to emergency vet immediately while maintaining pressure.
• Do not apply human ointments or powders unless vet has previously approved for this pet.

An example of a helpful note:

“Keep styptic powder in first aid kit for minor nail bleeding only. Not for large wounds.”

Examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual for specific conditions

Every pet manual should have a general emergency section, but the best examples also include condition‑specific pages tailored to your animal. Think about your pet’s known issues, breed tendencies, and lifestyle.

Here are real examples of condition pages you might add:

Example page for a dog with seizures

Title: If My Dog Has a Seizure (Luna)

Notes from vet (Dr. Smith, updated Feb 2025):

• Typical seizure duration: 30 seconds to 2 minutes
• Triggers noticed: stress, missed medication dose

What to do:

• Stay calm. Do not put hands near mouth.
• Move furniture and objects away to prevent injury.
• Turn off bright lights and reduce noise.
• Time the seizure with a watch or phone.
• After seizure, keep Luna in a quiet, dim room until she can walk normally.
• Call vet if seizure lasts more than 2 minutes, if there are multiple seizures in 24 hours, or if she doesn’t recover fully.

This is a perfect example of what to include in a pet first aid manual when your pet has a diagnosed condition: clear thresholds for when to call versus when to drive straight to the ER.

Example page for a cat with asthma

Title: If My Cat Has Trouble Breathing (Asthma)

Signs to watch for:

• Open‑mouth breathing
• Blue or gray gums
• Rapid breathing at rest
• “Hacking” that looks like coughing, not hairball

What to do:

• Keep cat calm; minimize handling.
• Use prescribed inhaler with spacer if instructed by vet (write down the exact steps they showed you).
• If breathing doesn’t improve within 5–10 minutes, or if gums look blue, go to emergency vet immediately.

You can note:

“Asthma protocol confirmed with Dr. Lee, March 2024. See printed inhaler instructions from clinic in back pocket.”

Real examples of first aid kit items and how to list them

Most people throw supplies into a box and call it a first aid kit. The best examples of manuals go one step further: they explain how and when to use each item.

Here’s an example of how to write that section:

Pet First Aid Kit – What’s Inside and How to Use It

• Gauze pads and rolls – For covering wounds and applying pressure to stop bleeding. Write: “Press firmly for 3–5 minutes without lifting.”
• Non‑stick pads – Place directly on wound before wrapping, to avoid sticking to tissue.
• Adhesive vet wrap (self‑adhering bandage) – Wrap over gauze, snug but not tight enough to cut off circulation. Note: “Leave one toe exposed to check for swelling or coldness.”
• Digital thermometer (rectal) – For checking temperature. Note normal range and: “Use lubricant; never force. Stop if pet struggles violently.”
• Hydrogen peroxide 3% (only if vet approves) – Write clearly: “Use only if poison control or vet instructs to induce vomiting. Do not use for wound cleaning.”
• Saline solution – For gently rinsing eyes or flushing debris from small wounds.
• Muzzle or soft cloth – For safely handling an injured dog who might bite from pain. Add: “Do not muzzle if vomiting or having trouble breathing.”
• Gloves – Protects you and keeps wounds cleaner.

By adding short usage notes, you turn a random box of supplies into a usable toolkit. These are strong examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual that many people overlook.

Examples of layout and formatting that work under stress

Content matters, but so does how you present it. The best examples of pet first aid manuals share a few formatting habits that make them easy to use when your hands are shaking.

Here are real examples you can copy:

• Use short headings like “If My Dog Is Choking” or “If My Cat Is Bleeding” instead of vague labels like “Respiratory Distress.”
• Put emergency phone numbers on every few pages, not just the front.
• Use bold for “Call vet immediately” or “Go to emergency clinic now.”
• Keep each emergency on a single page if possible so you don’t have to flip while panicking.
• Add a simple table of contents at the front: “Choking – page 4, Poisoning – page 6, Bleeding – page 8,” etc.

These layout examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual are small changes that make a big difference at 2 a.m. when you’re flipping pages with one hand and holding your pet with the other.

Examples include travel, disaster, and pet sitter instructions

Since 2020, more people are traveling with pets, working remotely, and facing climate‑related disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and extreme heat. So modern manuals in 2024–2025 often include pages for:

Travel emergencies
An example of wording:

“If we are traveling and Luna is injured: Use the ‘Find a Vet’ feature on the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) website to locate the nearest accredited clinic. Bring this manual and her medication list.”

Disaster / evacuation page
Real examples include:

• Where the carrier, leash, and go‑bag are stored.
• Which neighbor or friend can help transport pets.
• Where copies of vaccination records are kept (physical and digital).
• A note: “Never leave pets behind in extreme heat or cold; bring them during evacuation.”

Pet sitter instructions
The best examples of manuals have a one‑page “Read This First” sheet for sitters:

• Daily routine: feeding times, walk times, litter box cleaning.
• Behavior notes: fear of thunderstorms, doesn’t like strangers touching paws, food guarding.
• Clear emergency steps: “If something seems off and you’re unsure, call me first. If it looks serious (trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding), go straight to Metro Animal Emergency Center and call me from the car.”

These are modern examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual that match how we actually live with pets today.

Examples of trusted references to note in your manual

You don’t need to rewrite veterinary science. A smart move is to include a short “References” section with a few trusted sources you or a pet sitter can check for more detail.

Helpful references (write these in your manual):

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control – Toxic foods, plants, and products: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) – Pet First Aid – General first aid tips and safety: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergency-care/pet-first-aid
• Red Cross – Cat & Dog First Aid – Basic first aid guidance and training options: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/cat-dog-first-aid

These links act as backup when your written examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual don’t cover a rare situation.

FAQ: Short answers with real examples

Q: What are some quick examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual for a new puppy or kitten?
A: For a young pet, focus on choking, poisoning, and injury from falls or rough play. Real examples include a page on “If My Puppy Eats Something Weird,” a section on safe vs. unsafe human foods, a short crate‑rest plan for sprains, and notes on their vaccination schedule and deworming dates.

Q: Can I just print online guides instead of writing my own manual?
A: You can, but the best examples of manuals are customized. Online guides won’t list your vet’s number, your pet’s meds, or your dog’s seizure history. Use online resources as references, then build a simple, personal manual around them.

Q: Is there an example of how often I should update my pet first aid manual?
A: Aim to review it every 6–12 months, or anytime something changes: new medication, new vet, new diagnosis, or a move to a different city. A good habit is to update it at the same time you renew vaccines or flea/tick preventives.

Q: Do I need separate manuals for each pet?
A: You can keep one binder with a shared “General First Aid” section and separate tabs for each pet. Real examples include one divider per animal with their photo, medical history, and condition‑specific pages.

Q: What are examples of mistakes people make with pet first aid manuals?
A: Common ones: copying human first aid advice (like giving human painkillers), not updating phone numbers, writing long paragraphs that are hard to scan, and leaving out clear instructions about when to stop home care and go straight to the vet.

If you use these real‑world examples of what to include in a pet first aid manual as a starting point, you’ll end up with something far more helpful than a generic checklist—a calm, clear voice on paper that’s tailored to the animals you love.