Course Details
First Aid for Dogs and Cats - Canada
Emergencies can be overwhelming, but with the proper training, you can gain the skills and knowledge to respond effectively and face them with confidence. Pet first aid can help stabilize an injured or sick animal before veterinary care, potentially saving its life. It also helps prevent minor injuries from worsening.
The Canadian Red Cross online First Aid for Dogs and Cats course, delivered through interactive video lectures and quizzes, teaches you how to respond to common cat and dog emergencies. It covers essential skills like pet CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), first aid, and emergency care. By the end of the course, you will be prepared for emergencies and receive a pet first aid certification.
The First Aid for Dogs and Cats online course is an investment in your pet’s well-being. Enroll now to confidently protect your furry friends and become the hero they deserve!
Course fee and payment
$30 + GST per person, payable by Visa or MasterCard. Please see the registration information below.
How to Register and pay
There are two ways to register and pay for this course.
- Please email us to let us know you'd like to register for First Aid for Dogs and Cats. We will then email you an invoice that you can pay online. Once we've received your payment, we will email you the Dog and Cat First Aid course link.
- Call 604-945-7277 during office hours to register and pay with your credit card.
Office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you want to contact us outside of these hours, please email us, and we'll aim to respond within 24 hours.
Duration
45-90 minutes online learning.
You can stop and start the course and take as much time as you like. Most people find the Dog and Cat First Aid online course takes about an hour to complete.
Who Should Take This Course?
The First Aid for Dogs and Cats course is designed for:
- Pet owners who want to be prepared for emergencies.
- Aspiring pet sitters looking to boost their credentials.
- Animal shelter workers.
- Vetinary assistants
- Kennel and pet daycare staff
- Individuals aged 13 and older with a love for animals.
With no prerequisites and a self-paced format, this course is perfect for anyone who wants to learn at their convenience.
Completion and Certification
Learn at your own pace by working through the training materials online. At the end of each module, there is a short knowledge check. These are not tests; you are not being evaluated. They are there so you can check your understanding of what has been covered. You can always go back and review if you wish.
Boost your resume with a certification. When you complete the Dog and Cat First Aid course, the Canadian Red Cross will email you a certificate.
Course Content
The online First Aid for Dogs and Cats course teaches you how to respond to common cat and dog emergencies. It covers essential skills like dog CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), cat first aid, and pet emergency care. By the end of the course, you will be prepared for emergencies and will receive 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.
- How to identify normal vital signs and perform CPR for dogs and cats
- How to manage wounds, respond to seizures, and support overall dog and cat health and well-being.
The course will cover ABCs, cat and dog CPR, how to do CPR on a dog or a cat and how to treat choking. These skills are crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of your pets in times of emergency.
Module 1: Knowing What's Normal
In Module 1, you will learn how to understand and recognize normal vital signs for your furry friends so you can recognize any unusual signs. You will learn how to check 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, and how to check their heartbeat, pulse and mucous membranes.
Module 2: Breathing and Cardiac Emergencies
This module covers breathing and cardiac emergencies for pets. Knowing how to respond quickly in such situations is essential, 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 determine if your pet is choking and the necessary steps to help them.
Module 3: Wounds and Bleeding
In Module 3, you will learn about wounds and bleeding. Understanding that different types of wounds can lead to other complications and require different care is essential. Learn about various kinds of wounds your pet may have so you can be ready to give them the care they need. In this lesson, you will learn about different types of injuries, including abrasions, bite wounds, lacerations, and pad wounds. You will learn how to help your pets when they experience these injuries. After this lesson, you will know how to care for and control bleeding, as well as how 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 and how to help your pet if they have a seizure. Even though it can be scary, knowing how 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 what seizures are, how to recognize seizures and how to help your pet during one.
Module 5: Preventative Care, Health, and Well-being
In this module, you will learn about preventative care, health, and well-being for your pets. In this lesson, you will learn how to take care of your pets and keep them healthy to prevent sickness. The module discusses the importance of preparing for emergencies. Following a few simple steps, you can ensure that our pets live happy, healthy lives full of love and fun!
Red Cross First Aid for Dogs and Cats Course Description PDF
Participant Materials
Printable certificate issued on successful completion
How to Register for this Course
Please contact our office to purchase this course.
Frequently asked questions about First Aid for Dogs and Cats
For general questions about certifications, payments, etc. See our comprehensive FAQ page.
The course is designed for people aged 13 years of age and older and has no prerequisites.
Anyone who owns or works with pets should consider training, including:
- Pet owners
- Pet sitters and dog walkers
- Pet groomers
- Animal shelter workers
- Veterinary assistants
- Kennel and daycare staff
- Emergency responders and law enforcement (for working dogs)
The First Aid for Dogs and Cats online course takes approximately one hour to complete.
Yes. Successfully completing the Canadian Red Cross Dog and Cat First Aid course will earn you a certificate to add to your resume.
- 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.
Contact us to register. Once you have paid for the course, we will email you the course link, and you can start the course whenever it's convenient for you.
Pet first aid is crucial because it allows pet owners and caregivers to respond quickly to emergencies before professional veterinary help is available. In critical situations like choking, bleeding, or poisoning, immediate first aid can prevent worsening conditions, alleviate pain, and even save a pet’s life. Additionally, knowing pet first aid helps owners remain calm and take the proper steps in stressful situations.
A well-equipped pet first aid kit should include:
- Bandages (gauze, self-adhering wrap) – For wound care.
- Antiseptic wipes or solution – To clean wounds.
- Tweezers and Scissors – To remove splinters, ticks, or cut bandages.
- Digital Thermometer – To check for fever or hypothermia.
- Saline Solution – For eye and wound irrigation.
- Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) – To induce vomiting if instructed by a vet.
- Muzzle or Towel – To prevent biting during treatment.
- Emergency Contact List – With your vet's number, poison control, and emergency clinics.
While there are similarities, pet first aid differs in several ways:
- Anatomy & Physiology – Pets have different vital signs and body structures.
- Behavioral Considerations – Injured pets may panic or bite, requiring special handling.
- Medications & Treatments – Many human medications are toxic to pets, requiring species-specific approaches.
- CPR Technique – The method differs for small and large pets based on their size and chest structure.
While some principles of first aid apply to both humans and pets (such as controlling bleeding and monitoring vital signs), pet first aid requires special knowledge of animal anatomy, behaviour, and treatment limitations. Knowing these differences ensures that first aid is applied safely and effectively, preventing further harm.