Dogs & Cats
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Emergency pet first aid kits for home and travel. Essential supplies, medication dosing guides, and when to use each item.
Key Information
What You Need to Know
Practical Recommendations
Expert Tips
- Consider your pet's individual activity on any given day — rest days may warrant slightly smaller portions than heavy exercise days.
- If your pet suddenly refuses food they normally enjoy, treat it as a potential health signal worth investigating.
Understanding the Research
Budgeting for Pet Care
Related Guides
Explore more of our comprehensive pet care resources.
- All Pet Care Guides
- Dog Health Resources
- Cat Health Resources
- Pet Care Tools & Calculators
- Find Local Vets & Pet Services
Where can I learn more?
The American Red Cross cat and dog first aid materials describe what a handler can do on the way to a clinic. Trouble breathing, a seizure that continues, a bloated abdomen, and a blocked male cat are conditions a kit cannot finish.
How often should I take my pet to the vet?
A kit is for the minutes between home and a clinic, for example pressure on a bleeding nail on the way in. Puppies and kittens are still examined every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks. Adult dogs and cats are examined about once a year, and senior dogs, often from about 7 years and earlier in giant breeds, and senior cats from about 10, are commonly examined every six months; the kit only covers the trip to the clinic. Trouble breathing, a seizure that does not stop, a bloated abdomen, or a male cat who cannot urinate is the emergency hospital.
How can I save money on pet care?
Assemble a small kit from supplies you will recognize in a panic, and replace what expires. A deluxe kit you do not know how to use is an expensive box in a closet. The kit also does not replace prevention: heartworm, vaccines, and a plan for a male cat's urinary blockage. Those are the emergencies the kit cannot finish and cannot price you out of.