Veterinary Supplies You Should Buy for Your Pet

Taking care of your pet is the secret to a long life. Pets need items too to maintain their health, just like we do. From supportive tools like vitamins, to medicine for illness and tools for emergencies and accidents, these pet care supplies are important to have on hand, especially when time is of the essence.

Here are our top picks for vet supplies you, as a pet owner, should have.

Why Every Pet Owner Needs These Supplies

Many pet owners think that they can just run to the vet if the animal gets sick. But the thing is, sometimes the vet isn’t open, and emergency vets cause a lot.   Sometimes, as well, the offices fill up. 

In some instances, you may not need to go immediately, provided you have the proper care tools.   While it’s good to get a vet’s prognosis, having these care items on hand will help with issues before getting to the vet office. 

These tools are also used for monitoring. So if something does go awry, you see it before it’s too late.

Pet First Aid Kits

Pet owners should have a first-aid kit, specifically for their animal, to handle small injuries and minor accidents. 

The kit should include: 

• Safety scissors 

• Flashlight 

• Disposable gloves 

• A muzzle for injured or scared dogs 

• Cotton swabs and balls 

• A spare collar or leash 

• A turkey baster or oral syringe for liquid medication, to flush a wound, and to help a pet drink water if they aren’t 

For wound care, get: 

• Alcoholic wipes 

• A gauze pad or roll 

• Antibiotic ointment 

• Nonstick tape 

• Ice packs 

• Towels 

• Styptic powder to control small bleeding. Just put it on the wound and hold it for 15 seconds to help clot the area 

For cleaning agents: 

• Saline solution 

• Sterile solution 

• Artificial tears for irritated eyes or to flush out something 

• Liquid dish soap 

• Antiseptic solution 

All of these help to treat small wounds.   You should have something to care for the wound, and also to remove any debris surrounding the wound. 

Make sure all antiseptics and solutions are pet-safe, instead of a human product that might agitate the skin. 

Digital Thermometer

These are great for early detection of illnesses

Make sure it has a metal probe for easy entrance, an LCD monitor that’s calibrated accurately, and either a long-lasting battery or rechargeable functions. 

Most digital thermometers for pets are calibrated to their body temperature. 

A pet’s average body temp is between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything outside this temperature range might mean a pet is sick, has an infection, or has other health concerns.   If your pet isn’t feeling too great, get the thermometer for them.

Feeding and Hydration Administration Tools

Sick and young pets might need you to administer food, since they’re not able to swallow very well.

Oral syringes designed for pets or a dropper will administer medications, liquids, and soft foods. These are great for pets refusing to eat or drink, and those who are sick, too.

Make sure that you get a tool that fits your pet's size, and deliver the food the appropriate way so they don’t choke.

Nail Clippers and Grooming Items

Most pet owners clip nails because they don’t want things to be scratched up. It’s also good for health problems.

Hangnails, an item that’s in the nail that you can’t get out, and other small lacerations can happen. Sometimes cutting is the only solution.  

Get clippers appropriate for the animal type and breed.   Try to get ones that won’t overcut the nails and will cut small amounts, so you’re not overcutting the nail quickly. 

Overgrown nails cause injury and issues with posture, so good nail clippers and grinders keep them healthy.

A brush and comb are good for fur that’s loose and stops it from getting matted. If you’re worried a cat or dog might have fleas and ticks, combing them is a good way to check.

From a hygiene standpoint, cleaning an animal’s nails and fur is essentials to their health.

Find Pet Grooming and Hygiene products here....

Removal Tools for Ticks and Fleas

Fleas and ticks are parasites, and can cause major health issues, including infections, if you don’t remove them.

There are flea combs to brush them out, and tick removers for areas where parasites are found.

If your pet loves the great outdoors, make sure to comb them often and check for fleas and ticks, so infestations don’t happen. Explore 

Pet-Safe Cleaning and Disinfection Items

Get a pet-safe cleaner for the home, bedding, and pet items such as cages and bowls. Make sure to clean around litter and bathroom areas with a pet-=friendly cleaner. Get something with pet-friendly agents that won’t irritate the skin and won’t put the pet’s health at risk if they accidentally eat it.

Cleaning often removes the risk of bacteria

Medications and Preventive Care Tools

It’s important to have basic preventative care tools and medications approved by a veterinarian. Vitamins approved by the vet are good to have on hand, especially if a pet is at risk of a disease or debilitating condition. 

Canavero is one example, an anti-parasite medication a dog can take so they don’t contract parasites. 

There are also deworming tablets, flea and tick medicine put on a pet monthly, flea collars for dogs, and medications pets might need. It may also be good to get pain medications for pets if they’re older and suffer from joint and physical pain. 

Avoid giving a pet human medication because the dosages are much larger, unless a vet tells you to.

A Cone (Elizabethan Collar)

Ahh, yes, the cone of shame. Pets hate it, but it’s sometimes needed so a pet doesn’t reopen their wounds. 

Typically called an Elizabethan collar, this is fastened around a pet’s neck, so they don’t scratch, bite, or lick the affected area.   If your pet has a skin condition or is going in for surgery often, having your own cone is good. These days, they even make cones out of softer materials so they’re more comfortable.

Records and Emergency Contacts

Always have your pet’s medical records, vaccination records, and contact details for the vet, along with those of other animal healthcare providers, in the event of an emergency.   

If your vet clinic isn’t open on certain days, try to find the nearest one that’s open often, like a Banfield health clinic. Some shelters also have veterinary services.

Store Your Pet Care Items Correctly

Having these items is great, but if you don’t store them correctly, that’s a problem. Keep them in a container that’s labeled and organized so you can grab them when needed.

For medications and medicinal tools, check the dates on the bottles and if they’re close to expiration, replace them. 

Pet ownership means being ready for the worst, and that includes accidental. Having veterinary supplies on hand helps with minor problems, can make recovery easier, and can get your pet emergency care quicker.

Never replace these tools with proper vet care, but use this whenever the care is unavailable for whatever reason.

These tools make you a better pet owner and will convey to your furry friend that you’re ready to take care of them when needed.