Packing with dogs is a lot like packing with kids–you really have to bring everything including the kitchen sink. Hard crate, soft crate, treats, food, quiet toys, squeaky toys, bullysticks, wobbler, kongs, etc. are all important pieces of my canine travel kit. The other thing that ALWAYS comes with me when I travel is my canine first aid kit.

My travel kit is a bit different than my home kit largely because of the type of activity my dogs are often doing when we travel (agility, frisbee, lure coursing, etc.). So I cater what I bring with me for these types of activities.

What’s in my canine travel first aid kit

–4 Rolls of 2″ vet wrap (5 if we count the one I always keep in my car)
–1 box gauze squares
–Quick Stop
–Nail Clippers
–Cortizone cream
–Tick Key
–Tweezers
–hydrogen peroxide (mini bottle)
–No-Sting anti-septic spray/wash
–Benadryl pills
–Gas-x (in case of bloat)
–Extra 1 gal bottle of water (for cooling down)

Pedialyte, a rectal thermometer, muzzle, baby asprin, and ace bandages are all things I could easily add to my list but aren’t things I typically bring with me.

Several years ago I was at an event where two dogs got into a bit of a dog fight. Out of all the people at the event, just myself and a friend had any materials to give basic treatment to the injured dogs and to get them cleaned up and ready to go to the vet. I went through 2.5 rolls of vet wrap, about 6 gauze pads, and half a bottle of first-aid wash. This was a really great reminder that accidents can happen and that it’s much better to be prepared for the worst than to sit on my laurels and just hope for the best.

Now, I even carry a basic first aid kit with me pretty much at all times just in case. Vet wrap, gauze, first aid wash, and a tick key are always found in my car kit. With Shayne’s injury prone nature, you might be surprised just how often I have to pull out the vet wrap for one thing or another!