Paw Pals Pet Sitting

Dog Walking & Pet Sitting in Northern VA

Client Portal
(703) 345-1695
Schedule Services
  • About Us
    • Client Reviews
    • Common Questions
    • Team Bios
    • Join Our Team
    • Policies & Service Agreement
    • Who We Support
  • Pricing
    • Dog Walking
    • Dog Sitting
    • Cat Sitting
    • Pet Sitting
    • Additional Services
    • Holiday Fee Service Schedule
  • Dog Sitting
  • Dog Walking
  • Cat Sitting
  • Pet Sitting
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

The Pet Owner’s Guide To Pet First Aid

February 17, 2017 by Mary Telesz

dog owner petting his dogAmericans are crazy about their pets — and with good reason! Our pets provide companionship, love, affection and loyalty. They’re always by our sides, looking for a treat, playtime, or absentminded pats. Though Pet owners have a responsibility to provide both care and affection for their pets, many are not familiar with basic pet first-aid. Familiarizing yourself with pet first aid, and first aid tips, can ease their pet’s suffering and help avoid a more serious injury until a veterinarian can be contacted.

Learning first aid for pets is not difficult. It typically requires a bit of focused knowledge, minimal training, and on-hand supplies. To learn more about how you can fulfill your responsibilities as a pet owner, check out these simple pet first aid tips.

Why You Need to Know Pet First Aid

different pets sitting around a pet first aid kitIn life, we should be prepared for the unexpected, especially with our precious pets. There are numerous situations where our pets might require immediate help. By training in some basic first-aid techniques, we can ensure that our pets remain healthy and calm, and that we do everything possible for them while awaiting treatment from a medical professional.

Many pet owners are aware that certain foods and plants can be toxic to pets. But do you know what to do if Bowser gets into the Halloween chocolate? Or if Daisy is overheated? Or if Biscuits is dehydrated? Would you be able to treat your lovable pet, or would it require a visit to the emergency vet service? Learning pet first aid can save you money in situations where medical treatment may not be necessary. In more serious situations, it can buy you valuable time that might make the difference between life and death.

With these useful, simple tips, you are better prepared to care for your sick or injured pet. Knowing what to do can decrease a sense of panic when something happens to your pet, and can allow you to better help your pet in frightening scenarios.

Stock Up On Supplies

big dog with an ice pack on his headThe first step in providing care for your pet is to have a first-aid kit on hand. Most of us have basic supplies to treat minor injuries for humans, but fail to do the same for our dogs, cats and other pets. Some of the items in a pet first-aid kit can be found in your medicine cabinet, but others must be specially purchased for your pet. Be sure to keep the supplies in one place so that you are able to grab it quickly in case of an emergency.

First, make sure that you have all the important information in your pet first-aid kit. This should include the number of your veterinarian, the number of an emergency veterinary clinic, and the number for animal poison control. When you are trying to take care of a pet that is hurting, you may not be able to recall these names or numbers off the top of your head. Keeping them with your pet’s first-aid kit can be incredibly helpful in these situations.

Next, put together some basic supplies. This should include gauze and strips of clean cloth for wrapping wounds, controlling bleeding or even to use as a muzzle. When a pet is hurt, it may act aggressively if someone is trying to help him, even a beloved owner. It is important to either have a muzzle or something that can be used as a muzzle for these situations. You should also have non-stick bandages or adhesive tape on hand–remember: never use regular human adhesive bandages on your pets as it could damage their skin or pull out their hair. Keep milk of magnesia, hydrogen peroxide, and activated charcoal on hand to absorb poison or induce vomiting if your pet has eaten something toxic, once you have consulted with a vet or poison control. You should also have a digital thermometer that goes up to a high (fever) temperature; because this thermometer must be inserted rectally, keep it separate from human first aid supplies. You should also have an eye dropper or large syringe to flush wounds or give medicine, and some type of stretcher or board to use to transport your pet if he or she needs further treatment.

Once you have assembled these supplies, you are then ready to learn how to use them to help your injured or ill pet.

How To Give Your Pet First-Aid

a dog owner banding her pets pawsBefore giving first-aid to your pet, remember that even the sweetest dog, cat or other pet may lash out when they are injured. When an animal is in pain and afraid, they may be unpredictable. With that in mind, perform any examination slowly and gently. Keep your face away from his/her mouth. If you need to transport your pet, do so gently and make sure that he or she is confined so that they are not injured further. Finally, call your vet beforehand so that they can be ready to treat your pet when you get there.

First Aid For Poison

If your pet eats something that it toxic— such as antifreeze, chocolate, cleaning products or other poisons — you will need to act quickly. Contact your vet or the animal poison control hotline to ask for advice; they may ask you to administer something to absorb the poison or induce vomiting. Alternatively, they may instruct you to seek medical care immediately. Gather any material that your pet may have vomited or chewed, and take it with you, along with the substance that your pet ingested. If your pet’s eyes or skin was exposed to a toxic substance, follow the instructions that you would follow if you were exposed to it, such as washing your pet with soap and water, or flushing his/her eyes with water. Follow up with your vet immediately.

First Aid For Bleeding

If your pet has external bleeding, the first step in treating it is to muzzle him/her. Then press a gauze pad over the wound, applying pressure until the bleeding stops. If the bleeding is severe, you can apply a tourniquet (typically on the limbs) to stem the bleeding until you can get the pet to the veterinarian for treatment.

If the bleeding is internal — such as blood in stool or urine or bleeding from the nose or mouth — then you will need to seek medical care immediately. Keep your pet warm and quiet, and take him/her to the vet.

First Aid For Seizures

When your pet has a seizure, it can be an incredibly scary experience. The key is to remain calm, and do not try to restrain the pet. Instead, move him or her to a safe place, away from objects that can hurt him/her. Then time the seizure, and when it has ended, contact your veterinarian for further medical advice and treatment.

First Aid For Burns

dog with a burn on his pawIf your pet has suffered any type of burn, muzzle him/her to prevent defensive biting while you are treating him/her. If the burn is chemical, flush it with large quantities of water. If it is a severe burn, apply an ice water compress to the area. Seek medical treatment to help your pet.

First Aid For Fractures

If your pet has broken a limb or other bone, the key will be to get him or her to a vet safely and with minimal pain. Use a stretcher of some sort, which could be anything from a blanket to a sled, to support your pet as you move him/her to the car. Make sure to muzzle your pet first to avoid them biting you. Try to keep your pet calm and confined on the trip to the vet to prevent further injury.

First Aid For Choking

If your pet is choking, keep in mind that you are likely to get bitten when you attempt to help them. If he/she can still breathe, the best course of action is to take your pet to the veterinarian. But if the situation is an emergency, look into his/her mouth to see if an object is visible. If so, then you can attempt to gently remove it with pliers or tweezers. If you cannot remove it, perform a version of the Heimlich maneuver for pets: place both hands on the side of your pet’s rib cage, and apply quick firm pressure. Alternatively, lay your pet on its side, and with the palm of your hand, hit his/her rib cage firmly three to four times. Continue this process until either the object loses from your pet’s throat or until you are able to get medical care.

First-Aid For Heatstroke And Dehydration

dog owners giving his dog water on a walkIf your pet is suffering from heatstroke, immediately get him/her to a cool place out of direct sunlight. Keep a cool, wet towel around his/her neck and head, frequently replacing it to ensure that it stays cool and wet. Use a hose to keep cool water running over your pet’s body, sweeping the water away as it absorbs body heat. Then transport your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Pet first-aid can make the difference in how your pet recovers from a medical emergency. Understanding these basic tips and techniques can help to save your pet’s life should something happen. If your pet has been hurt or becomes ill, remember to take him/her to see a vet as soon as possible, even if you have performed pet first aid. A medical professional can more fully assess your pet and ensure that he or she is healthy and comfortable after an illness or injury. At Paw Pals Pet Sitting, every member of our team is PetTech CPR and Pet First Aid certified.

Filed Under: Pet Care

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

Have a Question?

Certifications & Associations

PetTech-logo

PUPS-logo

Kennel Pro

Best of NOVA award 2022

Best of NOVA award 2021

Best of NOVA award 2020

Northern Virginia Magazine - Best Pet Care 2019 Award

Powered By

Pet Sitter Plus logo

Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

professional dog walking software

Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 20151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
4.9
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
4.9
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Michæl Silva
Michæl Silva
21:38 01 Jul 22
Mary at Paw Pals Pet Sitting is the greatest! She has helped me train my pooch Chico how play nice with other dogs and for that I am extremely grateful! A+A+A+A+A+A
Kwi Kim
Kwi Kim
22:37 17 Jun 22
I hired Paw Pals based on my sister’s referral. Meet & greet was very thorough and detailed. I was surprised that my finicky cat came to check the sitter out. Subsequently, a sitter watched my cat over several separate visits, and it was clear through the visit reports that my cat loved the sitter. All the visits were completed having followed my directions & with professionalism.I would highly recommend Paw Pals to anyone who’s looking for a dependable, personable, & professional sitter.
Joseph Walter
Joseph Walter
19:55 13 Jun 22
Paw Pals provided a large number of photos of our pets along with a personalized message on how our pets were doing with every single visit. I would highly recommend using Paw Pals, we'll be continuing to use them whenever we go on vacation.
Ashley Manning
Ashley Manning
09:50 11 Jun 22
Highly recommend as pet sitters!Initially, a sitter from the company will visit the house to meet the pets and learn where everything is. Tatiana took careful notes and we got her some spare keys.While we are away, Paw Pals sends sitters to come and look after our boys. They feed them, scoop litter, bring in mail and packages, and they will even manage trash, recycling, blinds and lights so that everything is comfortable for our kitties. Each time they check in, we receive an email message with updates and pictures, which is so comforting when we are on the road.Also, if you don’t let Paw Pals know when you are home, they assume something has happened and will continue to care for your babies. If something were to happen, I know they would be okay.Five stars for Paw Pals!
Brian Wood
Brian Wood
04:08 22 May 22
We have used Paw Pals for a number of years now and would highly recommend to anyone looking for help with their pets. Great communication from owner Mary and flexibility to make adjustments in schedule as life changes over time. Have had a consistent set of walkers who have gotten to know our pup and the various walking routes around our neighborhood quite well.
Lesley Bush
Lesley Bush
13:58 18 Mar 22
We can't rave enough about Paw Pals. They took care of our 18 year old Cat and 20 year old Chinchilla while we were away and when our flight got cancelled, they were so accommodating and available last minute for an extra day. We worked with Jen to coordinate visits from Miko and Danny. I loved the pictures and updates on how our Lil geriatric guys were doing. Thanks a million, Paw Pals!! Our special pets were so well cared for.
Sebastian Barnes
Sebastian Barnes
01:06 17 Jan 22
I have used Paw Pals for several trips over the last few months, and they have been phenomenal every time! Mary is extremely kind and responsive, and she makes sure that my cat and dog have the care that they need every time I am out of town. All of the pet sitters that I've had have been incredibly sweet to my pets, and they treat them like their own! Will gladly continue using Paw Pals every time I need a sitter.
Julie Shildt
Julie Shildt
17:45 14 Nov 21
It has been a pleasure doing business with paw pals. We have used this company for several trips we have taken over the past 6 months. They have been wonderful caretakers for our 2 cats. Anytime there is ever a question they don't hesitate to give us a call and they leave the best notes and pictures in the emailed report of each visit. We are so glad have found such a great company.
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Katie McCune
Katie McCune
19:19 15 Jul 21
I honestly cannot recommend Mary and her whole crew enough! We started using Mary originally about 7 years ago to stop by occasionally when our Aussie Lana was younger. Over the next couple years Lana stayed with Mary and her family for a couple weekends when we went on vacation. When we moved to our new house in Manassas, Lana stayed with Sam, who lives in Manassas, overnight for moving day, and did great. Right before the pandemic, we adopted our second Aussie, Goose, and Mary recommended a fantastic trainer for him.We now have weekly walks for the dogs, and they love all of their walkers! Trevor, Paul, Hazel, Sofie, and probably a couple others have helped Goose get used to more people, and have helped my husband and me when our schedules are crazy.Paw Pals is our go-to for any help with our dogs, so I highly recommend them!
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Hill
22:43 23 May 21
I was a nervous mommy to leave my cats with a sitter service for the first time. Paw Pals went above and beyond to care for my cats and ease a nervous mommy. I already made a reservation to use them again!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
Next Reviews Write a review
powered by Google

© 2023 · Paw Pals Pet Sitters, LLC · Website Design by 321 Web Marketing