Pet first aid, step by step
What to do in the first minutes when your pet is not breathing, choking, poisoned or overheated. Written by a CPR instructor from the 2026 RECOVER first aid guidelines, with a short video for the steps that are hard to picture.
Written by Justin Alcalde, AHA and American Red Cross instructor, CPR West Covina · Reviewed
Pick your pet
Rabbit, bird, fish or reptile? Step by step guides for all six are in PetAid, our free first aid app for iPhone. Get PetAid
The first minute, whatever the emergency
Before the specific steps for CPR, choking or poisoning, the same five things help in almost every pet emergency.
Keep yourself safe
A hurt animal can bite, even your own. Move slowly and speak softly.
Check breathing
Watch the chest for up to 10 seconds.
Call ahead
Tell the emergency hospital you are coming and what happened.
Move them carefully
Support the back and neck. A board or blanket works as a stretcher.
Bring the evidence
The wrapper, the plant or the pill bottle, or a photo of it.
For every pet
Pet first aid kit. Home and trail checklists, and both poison line numbers.
Who to call, before you need to
Save these in your phone today. In an emergency you will not want to search for them.
- Your nearest 24 hour emergency animal hospitalLook it up now and save it as a contact. Call ahead so they are ready when you arrive.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control, (888) 426-4435Open 24 hours. A consultation fee may apply.
- Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661Open 24 hours. A per-case fee applies.
Learn it properly
American Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid, online at your own pace. $50, certificate when you finish.
Start the course
Keep the steps on your phone
PetAid for iPhone, for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, fish and reptiles. Free on the App Store.
Get PetAidThis is first aid, not veterinary care. Get to a vet or an emergency animal hospital as soon as the steps are done.
Sources