Pet first aid basics for sitters
By The Pet Care Card teamUpdated 6 min read
Short answer
In a pet emergency the first three steps are always the same: keep yourself safe, call the vet or the nearest 24-hour emergency clinic and follow their instructions, and transport the pet calmly if told to. A sitter cannot make good decisions without the clinic's number, the address, the owner's number and written permission to authorise treatment — leave all four somewhere obvious before you travel.
The app does not provide medical advice or recommend medications or dosages. It only helps owners organize instructions they provide. Always follow your veterinarian.
This is general preparation guidance, not veterinary instruction. Nothing here replaces a call to a vet — the goal is to make sure the person looking after your pet knows who to call and can act in the first few minutes without hunting for details.
The first three minutes
- Stay safe — a frightened or injured animal may bite, even a gentle one
- Call the vet clinic; outside opening hours call the 24-hour emergency clinic
- Describe what happened, when, and what the pet is doing right now
- Follow their instructions exactly; do not give any medication unless told to
- If asked to bring the pet in, use a carrier or a blanket to move them calmly
- Message the owner as soon as the pet is on the way to help
Signs that mean call now, not later
- Difficulty breathing, choking or continuous coughing
- Collapse, seizures or unresponsiveness
- Bleeding that does not slow with gentle pressure
- Suspected poisoning, including chocolate, grapes, xylitol, medication or antifreeze
- Repeated vomiting or retching without producing anything, especially in a large-breed dog
- Straining to urinate, particularly in male cats
- A cat that has not eaten for around 24 hours
What belongs in a pet first aid kit
- Vet and emergency clinic numbers printed on the lid
- Gauze, non-stick pads and self-adhesive bandage
- Blunt-ended scissors and tweezers
- Digital thermometer and disposable gloves
- Saline for flushing eyes and wounds
- A spare lead, a muzzle that fits, and a towel or blanket
- A copy of the pet's care card, including medications and known conditions
What to leave in writing before you go
Emergency information should be on its own, in large type, not buried in a paragraph. It should be findable by someone stressed and unfamiliar with your home.
- Vet clinic name, phone number and full address
- Nearest 24-hour emergency clinic, with address
- Your number plus a second decision-maker
- Written spending authorisation with a limit, confirmed with your clinic
- Known conditions, allergies, previous reactions and current medications
- Microchip number and insurance policy details
Prepare the route, not just the number
Tell the sitter how far the emergency clinic is and how they would get there without a car if they do not have one. A number is useless at 2am if nobody can reach the building.
Frequently asked questions
- What should a pet sitter do first in an emergency?
- Stay safe, then call the vet or emergency clinic immediately and follow their instructions. Contact the owner as soon as help is underway rather than delaying the call while trying to reach them.
- Should a sitter give medication in an emergency?
- No, not unless a vet instructs them to. Human painkillers in particular can be dangerous or fatal to dogs and cats.
- How do I authorise a sitter to approve treatment?
- Leave a written note with a spending limit, your signature and the date, and tell your clinic in advance that the named person may authorise treatment for your pet.
- What information does the vet ask for?
- The pet's name, species, breed, age and weight, current medications and conditions, what happened and when, and the owner's contact details. Having all of this on one card saves several minutes.