Prepared Pets: April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month
March 25, 2013 • Health & Wellness
NAPPS and FIDO encourage pet parents everywhere to prepare First Aid Kits and to learn other ways to protect your furry friends - get all the details below:
MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. March 19, 2013 – The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals, is raising awareness about the importance of pet safety in honor of Pet First Aid Awareness Month, taking place this April.
NAPPS, the only national nonprofit organization committed to serving the needs of professional pet sitters, is urging pet parents to prepare pet first aid kits that can be used at home and on the go. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) emphasizes that first aid is not a substitute for veterinary care, but knowing basic first aid helps pet parents deal with an emergency. NAPPS encourages pet parents to establish a pet safety plan for handling pet-related accidents and emergencies.
“Knowing how to properly react during an emergency is important to ensure continued safety,” said Sherry L. Sussured.”
To help pet parents prepare for unexpected emergencies, NAPPS recommends building a first aid kit in a waterproof container with the following items, as outlined by the American Red Cross:
Phone numbers including those for your pet’s veterinarian, an afterhours emergency veterinary hospital, and the National Animal Poison Control Center Hotline: 1-800-222-1222 and:
- Non-latex gloves to prevent the spread of contaminants.
- Gauze in a variety of sizes for wrapping wounds.
- Adhesive tape to secure gauze and bandages.
- Ice pack to reduce swelling.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%) to induce vomiting.
- Antiseptic wipes, topical antibiotic ointment, and rubbing alcohol for cleaning wounds.
- Thermometer to check for fever.
- Muzzle to prevent biting, only if pet is not vomiting, choking or coughing. Never muzzle an unconscious animal.
NAPPS reminds pet parents that accidents and emergencies can happen at any time, but investing in a first aid kit can increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.
The best way for pet parents to determine if a pet is suffering from an injury or needs medical attention is to evaluate and observe its behavior. When in doubt, pet parents should contact their veterinarian for an expert opinion.
In addition to first aid awareness, NAPPS offers the following tips for practicing pet safety every day:
Create a pet-friendly home – Conduct room-by-room inspections to ensure that dangerous items—including medications, household cleaners, and personal care items—are stored out of your pet’s reach.
Secure human foods – Even small amounts of some human foods can pose a risk for pets, such grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, xylitol (artificial sweetener found in gum and other foods) and chocolate are NOT pet-friendly.
Check the collar – Regularly check your pet’s collar to ensure that it fits properly.
Supervise pets during play and when they’re eating treats– Don’t let pets play with toys that are broken or too small. It’s also important to monitor your pets after rewarding them with treats. Too often pets choke, gag and fight over treats.
Involve the family – Teach your family, especially children, pet safety and first aid tips.
Take a class –American Red Cross and Pet Tech offer first aid and pet safety courses. Contact your local office to enroll.
A safe environment can help prevent accidents and injuries. NAPPS reminds pet parents that injured pets often need special attention and monitoring to ensure a speedy recovering. Professional pet sitters are able to provide the additional care your pet needs, allowing you the flexibility to return to your regular routine.
For additional safety tips, visit www.petsitters.org .
About NAPPS: NAPPS is the only national nonprofit trade association dedicated to serving the needs of professional pet sitters. The Association aims to help the pet owning public, those interested in pet sitting, and professionals engaged in the in-home pet care industry by fulfilling its vision statement, serving as "the most respected authority in professional pet sitting." It does so by providing the tools and support to foster the success of its members. Additionally, pet parents can benefit from NAPPS' free resources including a disaster preparedness guide, tips on how to select a pet sitter, and a nationwide referral service,. To find a pet sitter in your area, check out NAPPS' nationwide "Pet Sitter Locator" at www.petsitters.org . For more information on NAPPS, please follow @TheNAPPS on Twitter or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNAPPS.
