Having a dog first aid kit you can rely on is one of the most important pieces of gear for any gun dog owner. There are really two types of first aid kits for dogs: the compact version that you carry in the field and the larger version that you keep in your truck. If you only want to have one dog kit, go for one that skews toward the latter, but that is still compact enough to carry.
What’s in a dog first aid kit? Really, you’re looking for two things. First, you need gear like forceps, antiseptic, and bandage wrap that you’ll regularly use when your bird dog inevitably gets beat up in the field. Second, you need medical equipment that could potentially save your dog’s life if it gets seriously injured—trauma gear. You’ll hopefully never have to use most of this stuff, but it’s better to have it than potentially losing or maiming a dog because you don’t.
We’ve combed through the best options on the market to find the most compact and functional dog first aid kits on the market today. Whether you’ve got a new pup or are looking to update your dog first aid kit, here are your best options.
Best Dog First Aid Kits
- Best Overall: GunDog Outdoors Field Trauma Aid Kit
- Best Trauma Kit: Ready Dog Tactical Canine First Aid / Trauma Kit
- Best Travel First Aid Kit: Kurgo Dog First Aid Kit
- Best Budget-Friendly First Aid Kit: Dokken 1st Response Deluxe Field Dog First Aid Kit
How We Tested the Best Dog First Aid Kits
First aid kits are difficult to test. Many of them include the same or at least very similar equipment—and ideally, you don’t have to use any of the equipment all that often. So, to assemble this list, I assessed the variety and quality of medical gear in each kit. I also considered how compact each one is. The final consideration I made was assessing the included medical care instructions: were they useful in an emergency situation? Were they tailored to injuries that hunting dogs are most likely to experience?
Best Overall: GunDog Outdoors Field Trauma Aid Kit
GunDog Outdoors Field Trauma Aid Kit
Key Features:
- Price: $80
- Dimensions: H: 7x6x6 inches
- 36 pieces of medical equipment
Pros:
- Compact
- Trauma equipment included
- Treats hypothermia
- Optional skin stapler
- Vet-approved Emergency Field Trauma Guide
Cons:
- Not as comprehensive as some options
The GunDog Outdoors Field Trauma Aid Kit is a fantastic all-around option that hits the sweet spot between compactness and functionality. The kit is small enough to throw in your blind bag, but it has everything you need in an emergency situation. Importantly, it has a tourniquet, which is crucial in a trauma scenario. I also especially appreciate that the kit has an instant heat pad and emergency blanket, which you can use to treat a hypothermic dog, a common threat for waterfowl dogs that not all dog first aid kits are equipped to treat. There’s ample gear for small wounds and an Emergency Care Field Guide tailored specifically to gun dogs.
Best Trauma Kit: Ready Dog Tactical Canine First Aid / Trauma Kit
Ready Dog Tactical Canine First Aid/Trauma Kit
Key Features:
- Price: $229.99
- Dimensions: 11x5x8 inches
- 60 pieces of medical equipment
Pros:
- Comprehensive gear selection
- Compact field kit pouch included
- Trauma ready
Cons:
- Pricy
- No medical treatment guide included
The Ready Dog Tactical Canine First Aid/Trauma Kit has just about everything you need to doctor an injured dog in the field. It comes at a premium, but knowing you have what you need to care for your dog is worth it. This kit excels in its selection of trauma gear, with bleed-stopping hemostatic gauze, a multi-purpose splint, and a SWAT-T Tourniquet. The kit has the typical first aid kit gear, as well as meds like antihistamine tablets and honey packets—which can come in handy if an exhausted dog’s blood sugar level drops. While the kit is bulky, it comes with a compact field kit; throw the essentials in there and keep the rest in the truck. Keep in mind that this kit doesn’t come with a medical field guide, particularly because it’s marketed to be used for other types of working dogs than just bird dogs.
Best Travel First Aid Kit: Kurgo Dog First Aid Kit
Kurgo Dog First Aid Kit
Key Features:
- Price: $32.99
- Dimensions: 3.5x9x5 inches
- 50 pieces of medical equipment
Pros:
- Affordable
- Includes the basics
- Slim
Cons:
- Lacks important trauma gear
- Bright red pouch
The Kurgo Dog First Aid kit is a slim, compact kit that’s easy to take into the field with you. And for its size, there’s a lot of medical gear packed in. Overall, it’s a great option for treating minor wounds. That said, it’s missing some important components that you’d find in a bulkier kit, such as forceps and trauma gear, like anti-bleed gauze, or a tourniquet. That said, it would be easy to bring with you on an airplane, for instance.
Best Budget-Friendly First Aid Kit: Dokken 1st Response Deluxe Field Dog First Aid Kit
Dokken 1st Response Deluxe Field Dog First Aid Kit
Key Features:
- Price: $64.99
- Weight: 17.6 ounces
- 32 pieces of medical equipment
Pros:
- Fairly comprehensive
- Straightforward treatment guide
- Not too bulky
Cons:
- Lacks trauma gear like a tourniquet and an emergency blanket
- Bright red pouch
The Dokken 1st Response Deluxe is a great starter dog first aid kit. In my opinion, it provides many of the basics at a good price point, along with a clear first aid instruction booklet and a durable pouch that’s just small enough to throw in a blind back or bird hunting vest. I appreciate that the kit has comprehensive gear like a stapler and suture removal kit, but would recommend supplementing it with at least a tourniquet and emergency blanket, which are important exclusions to be aware of, not to mention other trauma gear.
FAQs
Q: What do you need in a dog first aid kit?
This depends on the hunting scenarios you expect to be in, as well as your risk tolerance. Some gun dog owners won’t range far from the truck and can keep their comprehensive kit there while just taking a couple of other items into the field with them, while others will want to bring full trauma kits with them. Ultimately, a dog first aid kit needs gear for minor wounds, like bandages and antiseptics, as well as trauma gear like a tourniquet, splint, and emergency blanket.
Keep in mind that none of these first aid kits include potentially critical equipment for treating a dog’s wounds. One of these is a muzzle, which can keep you and your dog safe when you’re treating them. The kits also lack carrying straps or a harness in the rare case that you need to carry your dog out of the field before seeking or administering medical care. Also, I highly recommend bringing bolt cutters to remove your dog from a snare; while this isn’t technically medical equipment, it’s an important piece of safety gear for a gun dog, nonetheless.
Q: Can you make your own dog first aid kit?
Yes, you can definitely put together your own first aid kit. One way to do this would be to replicate the gear included in other dog first aid kits. Otherwise, I would recommend buying a basic dog first aid kit and supplementing it with the gear of your choice over starting from scratch.
Final Thoughts on Dog First Aid Kits
Making sure you have the right first aid equipment with you in the truck and in the field is critical for your peace of mind and your gun dog’s well-being. One important thing to keep in mind is that medical equipment does expire. If you already have a kit or buy a new one, make sure to periodically check the expiration dates of your gear and update it as needed. These are the best kits on the market for waterfowl dogs.