First Aid for Dogs & Cats

Duration: 1 hour online

The online First Aid for Dogs and Cats course teaches you how to respond to common emergencies involving cats and dogs. Covers essential skills like dog CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), cat first aid, and pet emergency care. Learn how to be prepare for any emergency and obtain a pet first aid certification. Enroll now to protect your furry friends with confidence. 

What will you learn? 

• How to handle common dog and cat emergencies confidently. 
• Skills to perform dog first aid and cat first aid
• Learn to identify normal vital signs and perform CPR for dogs and cats
• Learn how to manage wounds, respond to seizures, and support overall dog and cat health and well-being.

Who should take the First Aid for Dogs and Cats course? 

• Pet owners and anyone interested in becoming a dog sitter or a cat sitter.
• Anyone 13 years of age and older. This course has no prerequisites.

Canadian Red Cross Online-Based Learning

• Self-directed: Learn at your own pace by working through the training materials online.
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour online.
• At the end of each module, there will be a short knowledge check. These are not tests; you are not being evaluated. They are just there so you can check your own understanding of what has been covered so far. Remember, you can always go back and review if you wish.

Boost your resume with a certification

Successfully completing the Canadian Red Cross pet first aid course will earn you certificate of completion.

First Aid for Dogs and Cats Modules

Module 1: Knowing What's Normal

In Module 1, we will delve into recognizing normal vital signs for our furry friends. This module helps you understand what is normal for your pet so you can recognize any unusual signs. We will cover the fundamental aspects of checking your pet's vital signs, allowing you to detect any changes quickly.

You will learn about dogs' and cats' breathing rates, signs of dehydration, body temperature, heart rate, and pulse. Also, how to check their heartbeat and pulse and check their mucous membranes.

Module 2: Breathing and Cardiac Emergencies

In this lesson, we are going to learn about breathing and cardiac emergencies for pets. Knowing how to respond quickly in such situations is important, as they can be life-threatening.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to check your pets' airways, breathing, and circulation. You will also learn how to perform CPR on your cat or dog. You will learn the skills to figure out if your pet is choking and the necessary steps to help them.

We will cover ABC's, cat and dog CPR, how to do CPR on a dog or a cat and treating choking. These skills are crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of our furry friends in times of emergency. 

Module 3: Wounds and Bleeding

In Module 3 of the pet first aid training, we will learn about wounds and bleeding. Understanding that different types of wounds can lead to other complications and require different care is important. Learn about different types of wounds your pet may have so you can be ready to give them the care they need.

In this lesson, we will learn about different types of injuries that can happen to our pets. These include abrasions, bite wounds, lacerations, and pad wounds.

We will also learn how to help our pets when they experience these injuries. After this lesson, you will be able to know how to care for and control bleeding. Also, you will be able to dress and care for wounds on your pet.

Module 4: Seizures

In Module 4 of the First Aid for Dogs and Cats course, you will learn all about seizures in pets. This lesson is important because it teaches you how to help your pet if they ever have a seizure. Even though it can be scary, knowing what to do to keep your pet safe is essential.

The lesson will cover what causes seizures, what they look like, and how to help your pet during and after a seizure. You'll also learn when it's necessary to take your pet to the vet. At the end of this lesson, you will know how to recognize seizures in your pet. You will also understand what seizures are and how to help your pet during one.

Module 5: Preventative Care, Health, and Well-being

In Module 5, we will learn about preventative care, health, and well-being for our pets. In this lesson, we will learn how to take care of our pets and keep them healthy to prevent sickness. We will also discuss the importance of preparing for emergencies. By following a few simple steps, we can ensure that our pets live happy, healthy lives full of love and fun! 

Certification: Upon successfully completing the modules, learners receive a certificate of completion. 

This course is non-refundable.