If your dog stopped breathing right now, would you know what to do? Most owners wouldn't. And that's terrifying — because the first few minutes after an accident or medical emergency are often the most critical. Getting to a vet matters, but knowing how to keep your dog alive on the way there matters just as much.
Below, we'll walk through the 3 key steps of canine CPR in plain English, then share two real-world first aid kit setups from a service dog handler who carries an EDC (Every Day Carry) kit everywhere his dog goes. Bookmark this page. You hope you'll never need it, but you'll be glad it's here.
Canine CPR: The 3 Steps You Need to Know
These steps follow the ABC method — Airway, Breathing, Cardiovascular. The video below from ACE Academy for Canine Educators demonstrates the full process, and we've broken down each step in text so you can reference them quickly.
Step 1: Airway — Make Sure the Path Is Clear
Before anything else, check your dog's mouth and throat. Remove any visible obstructions — foreign objects, vomit, or fluid that could block airflow. Pull the tongue forward gently so it doesn't fall back and block the airway.
Step 2: Breathing — Give Rescue Breaths
Hold your dog's muzzle closed with one hand to prevent air from escaping through the mouth. Place your mouth over their nose and blow gently — just enough to make the chest rise. Give 20-40 breaths per minute. Between breaths, let the chest fall naturally. If the chest doesn't rise, recheck the airway and adjust the head position.
Step 3: Cardiovascular — Perform Chest Compressions
Lay your dog on their right side. Kneel behind their back and place your hands over the middle third of the ribs, at the level of the armpit. Compress the chest 80-120 times per minute. For small dogs, use one hand; for large dogs, use two with hands stacked. Every so often, feel for a pulse at the femoral artery on the inside of the thigh to check if compressions are working.
If you're alone: Compress 4 times, then give 1 rescue breath, and repeat.
Video: ACE Academy for Canine Educators demonstrates full canine CPR technique. Watch it once now — you'll remember it when it counts.
Real-World First Aid Kits: What a Service Dog Handler Carries
BigLenny is a service dog. Wherever his handler goes, BigLenny goes — and so does one of two Canine EDC (Every Day Carry) first aid kits. We asked OneTigris LiFE Ambassador BigT to share exactly what's in both kits, from quick trips to extended outings.
Pro tip: Store your kit in a MOLLE-compatible pouch that attaches directly to your dog's tactical harness. That way your dog carries their own emergency supplies — and you always have both hands free when you need them most.
🩹 Small Med Kit — For Daily Walks & Quick Trips
This is the grab-and-go kit. Light enough to clip to a harness or toss in a daypack, but complete enough to handle a cut paw, a burn, or a bleeding wound until you reach the vet.
| 1 | Roll adhesive plaster 2.5 x 5 cm |
| 1 | Elastic bandage 6 x 50 cm |
| 3 | Elastic bandages, 6 x 10 cm |
| 1 | Bandage packet, large, sterile |
| 3 | Bandage packets, medium, sterile |
| 1 | Burn dressing, 60 x 80 cm, sterile |
| 3 | Bandage packets for burns, sterile |
| 3 | Gauze bandages, medium |
| 6 | Gauze bandages, 8 x 4 cm |
| 1 | Packet of 5 cellulose gauze compresses, 10 x 10 cm, sterile |
| 5 | Triangular bandages, 96 x 96 x 136 cm |
| 1 | Pair of bandage scissors, 14 cm |
| 12 | Safety pins |
| 1 | Piece of white chalk |
🧰 Large Med Kit — For Extended Trips & Multiple Dogs
When you're going farther from home, hiking in remote areas, or with multiple dogs, this expanded kit adds wound closure tools, medications, splints, and thermal protection.
| 1 | Medicated Spray |
| 2 | Butterfly Wound Closure |
| 1 | Elbow/Knee Adhesive Bandage, Fabric |
| 4 | Easy Access Bandages, Fabric, Knuckle |
| 4 | Easy Access Bandages, Fabric, Fingertip |
| 10 | Easy Access Bandages, Fabric, 1" x 3" |
| 10 | Easy Access Bandages, Plastic, 1" x 3" |
| 10 | Easy Access Bandages, Plastic, 3/4" x 3" |
| 10 | Easy Access Bandages, Plastic, 3/8" x 11/2" |
| 4 | Adhesive Spot Bandage, Plastic, 7/8" x 7/8" |
| 3 | After Bite Insect Sting and Itch Relief Wipe |
| 2 | GlacierGel Blister & Burn Dressing |
| 1 | Moleskin Blister Pad, 2" x 4" |
| 1 | Tweezers |
| 1 | First Aid Tape, 1/2" x 10 Yards |
| 2 | Antihistamine (diphenhydramine 25mg) |
| 10 | Cotton-Tipped Applicator |
| 1 | AfterBurn Gel, 2oz |
| 1 | Combine Pad, 5" x 9" |
| 4 | Sterile Gauze Dressing, 4" x 4" |
| 4 | Sterile Gauze Dressing, 3" x 3" |
| 2 | Non-Adherent Pad, 2" x 3" |
| 1 | Conforming Gauze Bandage, 2" x 4.1 yards |
| 2 | Medical Grade Gloves |
| 1 | Triangular Bandage |
| 1 | Elastic Bandage, 2" |
| 1 | Instant Cold Compress |
| 2 | Wooden Finger Splint |
| 3 | Assorted Safety Pins |
| 4 | Ibuprofen, 200 mg |
| 4 | Aspirin, 325mg |
| 4 | Non-Aspirin, 500mg |
| 1 | CPR Breathing Barrier |
| 1 | Emergency Reflective Blanket |
| 1 | Emergency First Aid Guide |
| 1 | EMT Shears |
How to carry all this: The large kit fits perfectly in a MOLLE dog pouch attached to a tactical dog harness. Your dog carries the weight, your hands stay free, and the kit is always within reach. For the small kit, a compact MOLLE pouch on the harness or clipped to your own backpack works perfectly.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How effective is canine CPR?
CPR doesn't guarantee survival, but it dramatically improves the odds when started immediately. The goal is to maintain blood flow and oxygen to the brain until a veterinarian can take over. Even imperfect CPR is better than none — don't hesitate to start.
What's the difference between a small and large first aid kit?
A small kit covers the basics for cuts, burns, and light bleeding — enough for daily walks, short hikes, and quick outings. A large kit adds splints, wound closure tools, medications, and thermal protection for extended trips, remote areas, or multi-dog households.
Can I give my dog ibuprofen or aspirin from my own first aid kit?
Never give human medications to your dog without veterinary approval. Some human pain relievers, including ibuprofen, are highly toxic to dogs. The medications listed in the large kit above are included for a trained handler's reference — always consult your vet before administering any medication.
Where should I store my dog's first aid kit?
Attach it to your dog's tactical harness via MOLLE webbing for instant access. At home, keep it in a hall closet or near your own emergency supplies — somewhere you can grab in seconds, not minutes. For more on building a home kit, see our DIY Pet Emergency Kit Checklist.
CPR steps adapted from ACE Academy for Canine Educators. First aid kit lists and real-world insights courtesy of BigT, OneTigris LiFE Ambassador and BigLenny's handler.
