RECOVER Initiative Releases 2026 Pet First

The RECOVER Initiative has published the 2026 RECOVER First Aid Guidelines for dogs and cats. These evidence- and consensus-based recommendations aim to help veterinary professionals provide practical guidance to pet owners, handlers, and other caregivers during the prehospital emergency period. You can find more information on pet health and care in our stats section.

They are not a substitute for professional veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Instead, the guidelines are intended to assist people in recognizing urgent problems, offering appropriate immediate support, and facilitating timely transport to a veterinary clinic. The source is the RECOVER Initiative itself.

Conditions Covered

The new guidelines address several urgent medical conditions. These include heatstroke, choking, burns, noncaustic toxin ingestion, hypoglycemia, and severe extremity bleeding. For each condition, the document provides specific, evidence-informed first aid recommendations. Understanding these conditions can help when reviewing a pet's medical history in our injuries database.

Resources for Veterinary Teams

In addition to the treatment guidelines, the publication includes First Aid Recognize and Act Algorithms and instructional figures. Veterinary teams can use these resources when teaching first aid to a wide range of animal caregivers. The intended audience includes pet owners, first responders, shelter staff, groomers, boarding facility operators, and trainers.

Jamie Burkitt, a Guidelines co-chair and Professor at UC Davis, commented on the need. "Animal emergencies often begin before a patient reaches a veterinary hospital," Burkitt said. The guidelines provide a framework to help people recognize urgent problems and provide appropriate first aid.

Development Process

The guidelines were reportedly developed through a rigorous systematic process. This involved systematic literature searches, evidence synthesis, and assessments of evidence quality. Expert consensus and an international commenting period were also part of the development.

The process formally addressed 16 specific PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions. This work resulted in a total of 50 distinct treatment recommendations for canine and feline first aid.

Daniel J. Fletcher, president of The RECOVER Initiative, explained the mission. "RECOVER exists to empower people to provide lifesaving care to animals through education, science, and community," Fletcher stated. The new guidelines extend that mission by providing actionable guidance for use when minutes are critical.

The complete 2026 RECOVER First Aid Guidelines are available for access through the Wiley Online Library.