First Aid for Pets
Get step-by-step help to support your pet until veterinary care is available.
This page helps you respond when something is wrong and you need immediate guidance — whether you are travelling, offshore, or far from help.
You do not need to be an expert. Follow the steps calmly.
⚠️ First aid is temporary care only. Always contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Immediate First Aid Support
S.A.F.E. Before You Help
S — SCENE 
Check for danger. Look for traffic, water, fire, electricity, unstable ground, cliffs, dangerous animals or other hazards.
A — APPROACH 
Approach carefully. A frightened, injured, distressed pet or pet in pain may bite or scratch — even if they normally wouldn’t
F — FIRST PROBLEM 
Check the immediate problem. Is your pet responsive? Can they breathe? Is there severe bleeding or another immediate danger?
E — EMERGENCY HELP 
Start First Aid & get help. If someone is with you, ask them to contact a veterinarian or appropriate rescue/emergency service while you help your pet.
Do not put yourself or anyone else in danger to reach or rescue your pet. If you cannot approach or reach them safely, get appropriate rescue assistance.
Travel / Activity Emergencies
🛟
Pet Overboard / In the Water / Drowning
Immediate rescue steps, help them recover, and support breathing.
⛰️
Pet Stranded / Fallen — Difficult Terrain
Your pet has fallen, become trapped or is somewhere they can’t recover from.
💥
Major Accident / Trauma
Your pet has been hit, suffered a serious injury, collision or other major impact.
First Aid Emergencies
🆘
Unresponsive / Not Breathing / CPR
Help your pet recover and prepare for urgent vet care.
⚡
Seizure / Convulsions
Keep your pet safe during a seizure and know what to do as they recover.
Bites, Poisoning or Toxic Ingestion
What to do immediately — and what not to do.
🫃
Swollen Abdomen / Trying to Vomit
Recognise dangerous abdominal swelling or repeated attempts to vomit without bringing anything up.
🤢
Severe Vomiting or Diarrhoea
Support hydration and watch for danger signs.
🚽
Straining / Cannot Urinate
Repeatedly straining to urinate, passing little or no urine, or appearing painful.
🦴
Limping / Suspected Broken Bone
Protect the injury, limit movement and get veterinary help.
🧰❓
Not Sure What’s Wrong?
If your pet’s condition doesn’t match the cards above, find the symptoms and follow the right steps.
Contact a Vet Fast — On the road or aboard
Even when travelling or in remote places, veterinary help may still be available — either in person or through tele-vet services.
Contact a veterinarian as soon as you can.
Locate a Vet Quickly
Search local or international clinics by country, region, or city/port.
Note: Use the dropdown filters on the left to select your Country, Region, and Location.
Tele-Vet Services
Access a veterinarian via video call for urgent advice from anywhere
Note: Available worldwide. Ensure your time zone is set correctly (bottom right of screen).
Contact a veterinarian immediately if your pet:
● cannot breathe normally
● is unconscious or collapsed
● has heavy or uncontrolled bleeding
● has eaten something harmful
● is having repeated seizures
● is getting worse or not improving
📱 Emergency Hub in Your Pocket
Access first aid steps and veterinary help anywhere with the Paws on Deck App.
Emergency & Safety Readiness
These guides and checklists help you build emergency readiness before you travel.
They are not for real-time emergencies.
