What are the clinical signs of dehydration in dogs and cats?

Common signs include dry or tacky gums, lethargy, sunken eyes, reduced skin elasticity, poor appetite, and decreased urination. Seek veterinary advice promptly if these signs appear.

How can I safely stop bleeding from a pet’s wound at home?

Apply steady, gentle pressure with clean gauze or an appropriate veterinary haemostatic dressing. Do not remove soaked dressings; add more layers and contact a vet for severe, persistent, or deep bleeding.

What should I do if my dog eats chocolate, onions, or acorns?

Contact a veterinarian or animal poison service immediately. Keep details on the food, estimated amount eaten, your dog’s weight, and when exposure occurred; do not induce vomiting unless instructed.

Free online course Pet Care Essentials

Duration of the online course: 43 minutes

(2)

Handle pet first aid with confidence in this free online course—spot dehydration, stop bleeding safely, and avoid common toxins in dogs and cats.

In this free course, learn about

Key features of an ideal animal haemostatic dressing and when to use it
How haemostatic sponges/gauze (Collaclot/WoundClot) work to stop pet bleeding
Practical first-aid steps for managing minor-to-severe bleeding in pets
Fluid balance basics in dogs and cats and why it matters clinically
Clinical signs of dehydration in dogs and cats and how to assess severity
Hydration/rehydration principles and safe home support for dehydrated pets
How Oralade supports rehydration; the science and species-specific use (dogs/cats)
Onion toxicity in dogs: risks, symptoms, prevention, and when to seek vet care
Chocolate toxicity in dogs: dose-related danger, signs, and prevention steps
Common causes of blood in dog stool/faeces and what symptoms are concerning
First-aid and escalation guidance for GI bleeding signs (when to contact a vet)
Haemostasis products for aquatic animals (koi): applications and care considerations
How to handle reuniting with a lost pet: prevention and recovery steps
Acorn toxicity in dogs: risks, signs, and practical prevention

About the free online course

When a pet gets sick or injured, minutes matter and so does knowing what to do next. Pet Care Essentials is a free online course designed to help everyday owners respond with calm, practical first-aid awareness for dogs, cats, and even aquatic companions. Instead of guessing, you will learn how to recognize warning signs early, make safer decisions at home, and understand when a situation needs urgent veterinary support.

A major focus is hydration and fluid balance. You will explore what dehydration can look like in dogs and cats, how to spot clinical signs, and why rehydration strategies differ depending on the pet and the circumstances. By understanding the basics behind oral rehydration support, you will be better prepared to act when a pet is off their food, recovering from illness, or showing symptoms that could escalate quickly.

You will also build confidence around wound care and bleeding control. The course explains what makes an effective haemostatic dressing, how haemostatic sponges and gauze are designed to help manage bleeds, and what to consider when choosing supplies for a home first-aid kit. These lessons aim to help you respond responsibly, reducing panic and avoiding common mistakes that can complicate a wound before professional help is available.

Everyday hazards are covered too, including common toxin risks such as onions, chocolate, and acorns. You will learn why these dangers are more serious than many people realize, the kinds of symptoms that can follow exposure, and the sensible steps to take if you suspect your pet has eaten something harmful. You will also gain context around concerning signs like blood in a dog’s stool, helping you treat it as the urgent signal it can be and communicate more clearly with a veterinary team.

Finally, Pet Care Essentials broadens the idea of pet safety beyond the home by addressing stressful real-world moments like being separated from a lost pet. With a strong emphasis on responsible action, this course helps you feel more prepared for the situations pet owners dread most, while supporting better outcomes through timely, informed care.

Course content

Video class: What is the ideal animal haemostatic dressing? 02m
Exercise: Selecting an ideal hemostatic agent for pet first aid
Video class: Oralade - Pet rehydration treatment for every pet owner 02m
Exercise: Best immediate step to manage pet dehydration safely
Video class: Collaclot Haemostatic dressing - a must have for every pet owner to stop all bleeds 05m
Exercise: Key benefit of collagen hemostatic dressings in pet bleeding control

Video class: Fluid balance in Dogs and Cats, what you need to know 02m
Exercise: What best describes how dehydration develops in pets?
Video class: Oralade The Science behind a product for dehydration in any pet 01m
Exercise: Appropriate use of pet oral rehydration solutions
Video class: Clinical signs of dehydration in dogs and cats on the First Aid Show 01m
Exercise: Which of the following is a common sign of dehydration in dogs and cats?
Video class: Collaclot haemostatic sponges - the must have product for bleeding on your pet 02m
Exercise: What makes COLLACLOT different from many other hemostats when managing pet bleeding?
Video class: Hydration and rehydration in pets 02m
Exercise: Identifying a pet dehydration emergency
Video class: Oralade For Cats on The First Aid Show 02m
Exercise: Best way to deliver a feline rehydration solution to manage dehydration

Video class: Dog Health Alert: The Hidden Dangers of Onions and How to Keep Your Pet Safe 02m
Exercise: What is the smallest amount of onion that can be toxic to dogs?
Video class: The Hidden Danger of Chocolate to Dogs: Understanding and Preventing Chocolate Toxicity 02m
Exercise: What should you do first if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate?
Video class: Understanding Blood in Your Dog's Stool: Common Causes and Concerns 02m
Exercise: Which is a common cause of blood in a dog's stool that can be contracted from contaminated soil, water, food, or contact with infected animals
Video class: WoundClot: Transforming Aquatic Animal Care | The Koi Fish Success Story on The First Aid Show 02m
Exercise: What is the best immediate step to control severe bleeding in an aquatic pet after surgery?
Video class: Blood In Dog Faeces on The First Aid Show 02m
Exercise: What is a common cause of blood in a dog's poo?

Video class: Reuniting With A Lost Pet 04m
Video class: The Risks of Acorns to Dogs 01m

Video class: How Does Woundclot Veterinary Work? 01m
Video class: Woundclot Veterinary Features 01m
Video class: Woundclot Veterinary Haemostatic Gauze 01m

Learn aboutPet First Aid

Explore free online Pet First Aid courses and learn how to respond confidently to common emergencies involving dogs, cats, and other pets. Build practical skills in CPR, wound care, choking, poisoning, and emergency assessment at your own pace. Enroll today, complete your training online, and earn a certificate to showcase your new pet safety knowledge.

Learn aboutPet Care

Explore free online pet care courses designed to help you confidently care for dogs, cats and other companion animals. Learn essential skills in animal health, nutrition, grooming, behavior, first aid and responsible ownership at your own pace. Enroll today, build practical pet care knowledge and earn a certificate with every course you successfully complete.