Should I give my pet human medicines in an emergency?

No. Paracetamol, ibuprofen and many human drugs are toxic to dogs and cats. Contact your vet or Animal PoisonLine before giving anything.

Can I clean a wound at home?

Minor cuts can be rinsed with saline or cooled boiled water and covered with a clean dressing. Deep wounds, bleeding that will not stop, or bites need same-day veterinary care.

Where can I learn pet first aid in the UK?

The PDSA and Blue Cross run pet first aid courses. Our guide covers immediate steps; hands-on training is recommended for owners who want practical confidence.

Is heatstroke really an emergency?

Yes. Move your pet to shade, cool with tepid water and wet towels, offer small drinks, and phone your vet immediately while continuing to cool. Do not ice-bath — sudden chilling can worsen shock.

PDSA's first aid sequence: check Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation, then transport to a vet while giving first aid. First aid stabilises your pet on the way to the vet — it never replaces veterinary care.

Pet first aid (UK)

First aid stabilises your pet on the way to a vet — it never replaces professional treatment. Use the table below for the first action in each emergency, and keep your vet's out-of-hours number saved before you need it.

Quick answer

Collapsed, struggling to breathe, bleeding heavily, choking, poisoned or suffering heatstroke? PETHEALTH+'s first answer is always the same: phone a vet now. First aid only stabilises your pet on the way there — use the emergency table below for the first action in each situation, then head to your practice or nearest out-of-hours clinic.

Emergency decision table

Work down the row that matches what you are seeing. If in doubt, treat it as the emergency version — vets would always rather you phoned early than waited overnight.

Emergency first actions for UK pet owners, reviewed 2026-08-13
Situation	First action	Then
Collapse or can't stand	Keep your pet warm and still; check that they are breathing.	Phone a vet now — always treat collapse as an emergency.
Struggling to breathe	Minimise stress — use a carrier for cats and avoid unnecessary handling. Open-mouth breathing in cats is always abnormal.	Emergency vet immediately.
Heavy bleeding	Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or dressing.	Vet immediately if bleeding will not stop; deep wounds and bites need same-day care.
Choking	Attempt removal only if you can see the object clearly — blind finger sweeps can push it deeper.	Transport to the vet immediately.
Suspected poisoning	Phone your vet or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000; keep packaging or a photo of what was eaten.	Do not induce vomiting unless a vet specifically tells you to.
Heatstroke	Move to shade, cool with tepid water and wet towels, and offer small drinks.	Phone your vet while continuing to cool — never ice-bath.
Seizure	Keep your pet safe — move objects away, do not restrain them, and time the episode.	Vet immediately if it lasts over five minutes, repeats in clusters, or follows toxin exposure.
Swollen abdomen with unproductive retching	Do not give food or water and keep your dog as calm as possible.	Emergency vet immediately — possible bloat (GDV), which is life-threatening.
Pale, white or blue gums	Keep your pet warm and calm, and note any weakness or a swollen abdomen.	Treat as an emergency — possible shock or internal bleeding; phone a vet now.
Rabbit not eating or no droppings	Keep your rabbit warm and offer fresh hay and water.	Rabbit-savvy vet immediately — gut stasis can become critical within hours.

For poisoning emergencies you can also call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (a paid service), and use the PETHEALTH+ out-of-hours directory clinic finder when your practice is closed.

Before you travel to the vet

Keep yourself safe — muzzle an injured dog only if necessary and safe to do so.
Apply direct pressure to bleeding wounds with a clean cloth.
Keep the pet warm and still; use a carrier or blanket stretcher for cats and small pets.
Call ahead so the practice can prepare for your arrival.

Emergency guides

In-depth PETHEALTH+ guides for each situation in the table:

Pet first aid (UK)
DR ABC, the first aid kit, wounds, choking and heatstroke — step by step.
When to see an emergency vet
Warning signs for dogs, cats and rabbits — and out-of-hours care.
Dog heatstroke
Cool first, phone the vet — and never ice-bath.
Bloat in dogs (GDV)
Distended abdomen and unproductive retching — go straight in.
Dog seizures and tremors
Keep them safe, time it — when a seizure becomes an emergency.
Chocolate poisoning in dogs
Theobromine toxicity — call the vet before symptoms start.
Adder snake bites in dogs
The UK's only venomous snake — keep your dog still and go.
Cat breathing fast
Open-mouth breathing in cats is always an emergency.
Dog pale gums
Pale, white or blue gums — shock or blood-loss warning signs.
Dog pooping blood
When blood in stool is an emergency and when to monitor briefly.
Rabbit gut stasis
Not eating and no droppings — a true rabbit emergency.
Dog balance problems
Head tilt, circling and falling — vestibular signs to act on.
Pet poisoning guide
Chocolate, xylitol, lilies, rat bait and more — do not wait for symptoms.
Find a vet
Search registered, emergency and low-cost vets in the UK when you need help fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I give my pet human medicines in an emergency?: No. Paracetamol, ibuprofen and many human drugs are toxic to dogs and cats. Contact your vet or Animal PoisonLine before giving anything.
Can I clean a wound at home?: Minor cuts can be rinsed with saline or cooled boiled water and covered with a clean dressing. Deep wounds, bleeding that will not stop, or bites need same-day veterinary care.
Where can I learn pet first aid in the UK?: The PDSA and Blue Cross run pet first aid courses. Our guide covers immediate steps; hands-on training is recommended for owners who want practical confidence.
Is heatstroke really an emergency?: Yes. Move your pet to shade, cool with tepid water and wet towels, offer small drinks, and phone your vet immediately while continuing to cool. Do not ice-bath — sudden chilling can worsen shock.
What is DR ABC?: PDSA's first aid sequence: check Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation, then transport to a vet while giving first aid. First aid stabilises your pet on the way to the vet — it never replaces veterinary care.