Emergency Kits: A Must-Have for All Cat Owners

As careful as you are, accidents happen. An emergency kit can mean the difference between life and death for your cat in the event that you need to administer first aid prior to a vet trip. The following items should be gathered and stored in an easily accessible area (preferably all in one well-secured box). Note that many of these items are useful for human emergency aid as well.

Highly recommended:

Sharply pointed tweezers for foreign material removal
Digital rectal thermometer for easy temperature taking
Small, blunt-edged scissors for cutting tape, gauze, and fur
A variety of sizes of gauze (pads and roll) and non-stick surgical tape for wound covering
Cotton balls and padding for blood clean-up and wound cleaning / packing
Elastic wrap for securing gauze or for use as a tourniquet
Antiseptic solution such as hydrogen peroxide or Bactine
Eyewash solution for treating eye wounds or for washing chemicals from eyes
Hydrocortisone ointment for insect stings and bites
Emergency ice pack (keep in freezer) for reducing swelling or an instant ice pack
Phone number of regular vet, emergency vet, and poison control
Very useful - add if you can:

Veterinary records
Cat carrier for transporting cat. A pillowcase will do if you're in a bind
A blanket or towel to keep the cat warm if he goes into shock
A ruler for a splint or real first-aid splints if you can find them
Kitty muzzle, preferably the nylon kind that also covers the eyes
Vaseline or petroleum jelly (for rectal thermometer)
Antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin or Neosporin
Disposable surgical gloves
Pediolyte� or other balanced electrolyte fluid
Eyedropper or syringe for fluid
Helpful notes (you can write these down for your reference):

A healthy adult cat's normal body temperature is between 100�F and 103�F.
A healthy adult cat's normal heartbeat is between 100-140 beats per minute.
A healthy adult cat's normal breathing rate is between 20-30 breaths a minute.
You need to keep in mind that some of the items on the list do expire. Check your stock periodically and replace as necessary. Aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are highly toxic to cats and should never be administered unless under the direct supervision of a vet. Do not keep these items in your kit.

Some pet stores and online retailers are now selling pre-packaged emergency kits for pets that include many of these items. In addition to the emergency kit, you should also know the basics of first aid for felines. Your knowledge and preparedness could save your cat's life.

Your Own Safety During An Emergency

As much as your cat loves you, anything with teeth can bite. No matter how docile your cat normally is, if she's in pain and scared, she may bite you. Be careful when handling any injured animal, including your own. You may wish to invest in a pair of handling gloves (very thick padding gloves that go up to your elbows) to protect yourself from bites, as cat bites that break skin can get infected due to the high bacteria count in the cat's mouth. If you do get bitten, go to the emergency room immediately. Better safe than sorry.