Dog first aid: the basics for every owner

This guide is general information only. First aid doesn't replace veterinary care. In an emergency, ring your vet (or your out-of-hours vet) straight away.

Out-of-hours emergencies in Liverpool: Medivet 24 Hour Alder, 410 Eaton Road, West Derby, L12 3HG, says it is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 0151 220 4668 (Medivet, checked 18 Oct 2026). Vets Now Liverpool, based in the PDSA Pet Hospital on Woolfall Heath Avenue, Huyton, L36 3YD, opens from 6pm on weeknights, from noon on Saturdays, and all day on Sundays and bank holidays. Call 0151 271 5727 (Vets Now, checked 18 Oct 2026). Always ring before you set off, and ask your own vet which service covers their out-of-hours calls.

Nobody wants to need first aid for their dog, but a few calm minutes can make a real difference before you reach the vet. Here's what UK vets and animal charities say about the basics: keeping safe, handling an injured dog, moving them and getting help fast, day or night.

If you're not sure whether it's an emergency, Blue Cross says it's better to call your vet for advice, because they can tell you how quickly your dog needs to be seen (Blue Cross).

Stay calm and stay safe

PDSA suggests remembering "Dr ABCs" when something goes wrong (PDSA):

• Danger: keep yourself and anyone with you safe.
• Response: does your dog respond to their name or your touch?
• Airway: is their airway clear?
• Breathing: are they breathing?
• Circulation: do they have a pulse or heartbeat?
• Send: get someone to call for help.

If you get hurt yourself, you won't be able to help your dog (Blue Cross; PDSA). Near a road, keep yourself out of danger and watch for traffic (Blue Cross). The RSPCA says never put yourself in danger to help your pet (RSPCA).

When it's best not to step in

• Dog fights: people are often bitten trying to break up a fight, and pulling dogs apart can make their injuries worse (RSPCA).
• Dogs in water: owners who jump in to rescue their dog often get into difficulty themselves, while the dog is often able to get out on their own (RSPCA).

Approaching and handling an injured dog

An injured dog is likely to be frightened and in pain. Even a dog who is usually friendly may bite or scratch to protect themselves (Blue Cross; PDSA).

• Approach quietly and slowly, with no sudden movements (Blue Cross).
• Vets Now suggests approaching from the side, keeping away from your dog's mouth (Vets Now).
• Speak calmly and move slowly and gently to reassure them (PDSA).
• It goes against your instincts, but don't hug a dog who is in pain. You could be bitten and you may upset them more (Vets Now).
• If your dog has obviously hurt their neck or back, hold them still until you've spoken to your vet (PDSA).

Muzzling an injured dog

If you need to protect yourself, PDSA says you can use a muzzle or a towel (PDSA; PDSA). Vets Now says an emergency muzzle can be made by looping a bandage or tape over the dog's nose before handling them (Vets Now).

Never muzzle a dog who is struggling to breathe. PDSA adds that you shouldn't muzzle a dog with face injuries either (PDSA; Vets Now).

Shock

A dog can go into shock after a severe injury, an illness or a bad fright. The RSPCA lists these possible signs (RSPCA):

• a weak pulse
• shallow breathing
• collapse
• dazed eyes

Keep your dog's head level with the rest of their body and take them to the vet immediately (RSPCA). Keep them warm with a blanket or coat (PDSA), leaving their nose and mouth uncovered (Vets Now).

Moving an injured dog

Moving an injured dog has to be done carefully, so you don't make their injuries worse (PDSA). If you don't feel confident, call your vet. They can talk you through it, and might be able to send someone to help (PDSA).

1. Check it's safe for both of you, including traffic and other hazards (PDSA).
2. Get help with bigger dogs. As a rough guide, PDSA says don't try to lift a pet over 15kg on your own (PDSA).
3. Support their body. Put one arm under their head and shoulders and the other under their pelvis (PDSA). Try not to move their head, neck or spine (Vets Now).
4. Use a stretcher. Slowly lift them onto a large towel, blanket or board. A strong coat or jumper can do the job if there's nothing else (PDSA). If you think a bone may be broken, keep them as still as possible on a hard surface you can carry, such as a board covered with a blanket (Vets Now).
5. Lift and walk slowly. Hold the four corners, bend your knees, lift, and walk slowly without jolting them (PDSA). A large dog who has collapsed may need several people to lift a blanket stretcher (Vets Now).

If your dog can walk, Vets Now suggests a well-fitted lead that doesn't extend. Smaller dogs can travel in a secure carrier (Vets Now). In the car, PDSA says dogs should be held securely by a passenger (PDSA).

Don't give your dog anything to eat or drink unless your vet tells you to (PDSA first aid guide; Vets Now). Never give them human medicines, including painkillers, as these can be highly toxic to dogs (Blue Cross).

Ring ahead to the vet

Always phone before you set off. It lets the team get ready for an emergency (PDSA). In the evenings and at weekends there may be no vet on site, and you may be sent to an emergency practice instead (Blue Cross).

When you call, explain what's happened, say when you'll arrive and follow any instructions you're given (PDSA first aid guide). Your vet may ask how the injury happened, which part of the body seems hurt and how your dog is responding (Vets Now). PDSA suggests keeping a pen and paper handy to note down any instructions (PDSA first aid guide).

If you find an injured dog that isn't yours, Blue Cross says you should still call for help, and let the vet know you're not the owner (Blue Cross).

Out-of-hours help

PDSA says every vet practice provides an out-of-hours service for emergencies (PDSA):

• Ring your usual vet first, even when they're closed. There may be a recorded message telling you how to reach emergency care (PDSA).
• You may be sent to another surgery, but PDSA says it will be within an hour's drive of your usual vet (PDSA).
• Ask about the out-of-hours service at your next check-up and save the number in your phone (PDSA).
• Note down the name and number of the company that gave the out-of-hours care, in case you need to contact them later (PDSA).

Make a plan before you need it

Vets Now suggests a simple pet emergency plan (Vets Now):

• know where to go, day and night, as your nearest emergency vet may not be your usual practice
• save your daytime and out-of-hours vet numbers in your phone and pin them up at home
• plan how you'd get there, by car or by public transport
• keep your insurance details to hand
• note your dog's medical history and current medication, and pass it on to anyone looking after them

If you don't have a car, Vets Now says some taxi firms will carry animals for a fee, and it's worth looking for pet-friendly taxis or a pet ambulance near you in advance (Vets Now).

Learn more

PDSA recommends that all owners learn CPR on a veterinary first aid course (PDSA). It also has a free pet first aid guide you can print and keep (PDSA). Have a first aid kit ready at home and a smaller one for the car or bag (PDSA). Our dog first aid kit guide lists what to pack. Bringing home a puppy? Add the vet's numbers to your new puppy checklist.

Find a vet in Liverpool

It's worth saving your own vet's number, and their out-of-hours number, in your phone before you ever need them (PDSA). Our Liverpool vets directory lists practices across the city.

In an emergency: Liverpool's two out-of-hours emergency vets, Medivet 24 Hour Alder (0151 220 4668) and Vets Now Liverpool (0151 271 5727), are listed with their addresses and opening times in the box at the top of this page (checked 18 Oct 2026).

More in our dog first aid series:

• Poisoning: what to do
• Heatstroke and cold
• Cuts, bites, wounds and ticks
• Stings, burns and eye injuries
• Choking, seizures and collapse
• Your dog first aid kit

See all our dog health and first aid guides

There are no affiliate links on this page. Affiliate disclosure. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Always speak to your vet.