Course Description
First Aid for Dogs and Cats
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.
  • 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!