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Emergency Info

Pet emergencies happen fast. A choking dog, a toxic plant ingestion, a sudden illness—the difference between a good outcome and a tragedy is knowing what to do in the first hour. This page exists so you know the steps before you need them.

The first call should never be your first decision. Know where to call before the emergency arrives.

What counts as a pet emergency

Not every strange moment is a trip to the vet—but some are. Your pet is having an emergency if it cannot breathe, is bleeding, has been hit by a car or has swallowed something toxic. Your pet is also in urgent trouble if it collapses, cannot walk, or stops eating and drinking for more than a few hours. If you’re not sure, call your vet. A quick phone conversation costs nothing and can save a life. Have your vet’s emergency line written down and stored in your phone now—not when the emergency is happening.

Young man walking with black dog on leash through tree-lined rural path

After you’ve called your vet

Your vet will tell you whether to come in or call a specialty hospital. Listen to them. If your regular vet cannot see your pet in the next hour and it’s an emergency, ask for the nearest 24-hour animal hospital. In the meantime, keep your pet calm and quiet, away from other animals. Do not try to remove an object from its mouth—you can worsen the injury. Do not give food or water unless your vet says to. Make note of any symptoms: when they started, what led up to them, whether your pet is in pain, what its last meal was. Tell your vet all of it, because small details change treatment.

The first aid kit that works

These are the items to keep in a sealed box, labeled and accessible, starting today. You will not have time to gather them during an emergency.

  • Gauze pads and adhesive tape — stop bleeding and protect a wound
  • A clean towel or blanket — to keep your pet warm during transport
  • Tweezers — to remove splinters or small objects
  • A muzzle (that fits your pet) — a pet in pain may bite out of fear; a muzzle protects both of you
  • Your vet’s phone number and the nearest 24-hour animal hospital’s address — written down, not just in your phone
  • Activated charcoal (veterinary grade) — some poisons respond to it; ask your vet if it should be in your kit
  • A list of toxic plants and foods to avoid — printed from the ASPCA’s website and kept with the kit
Trusted pet sitter with dog at home showing care and attention

The difference between a pet that recovers and one that doesn’t is often that first hour. You have the power to spend five minutes today preparing for an emergency that you hope never comes. That investment—a kit you assemble, a list you write, a phone number you save—can save your pet’s life.