Pet owners are being urged to learn basic pet first aid skills after the PDSA warned that the current knowledge gap could cost lives.

Over 1,000 pet owners and animal workers have been equipped with life-saving pet first aid skills over the last 18 months thanks to its courses. But many owners are not aware of simple steps they can take to help stabilise a pet in an emergency situation., the PDSA said

Olivia Anderson-Nathan, a PDSA vet, said: “We teach first aid skills on our courses, which can equip pet owners with valuable skills to be “first responders” if their pet gets into an accident. These don’t replace veterinary treatment, but in an emergency,  these could quite literally save a pet’s life.

“Even though it’s something you hope will never happen, it’s best to be proactive. Keeping a first aid kit in the car and in the bathroom cupboard and brushing up on the basics can make a real difference should an accident happen.”

Ms Anderson-Nathan added: “Knowing your ABC’s for animals – airway, breathing and circulation – can help you to assess your pet if they collapse and give CPR if necessary.

“Stemming bleeding using firm pressure or a temporary bandage can buy you valuable time until you can get your pet to the vets. We’ve seen several examples of pet owners putting our advice into practice after coming on our courses, where without them they might not have known what to do.”