How to Treat a Minor Cut on a Dog

Dogs like to play rough and like even more to play outside. Sometimes, these factors lead to your dog getting small cuts. If you notice a minor cut on your dog, thoroughly check the cut to see if it requires medical attention. If the cut is minor enough, you can treat your dog yourself in several simple steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Electric hair clipper or razor blade
  • Scissors
  • K-Y or similar jelly
  • Antiseptic cleaner
  • 10 cc oral syringe
  • Small bowl
  • Wash cloths
  • Gauze pads
  • Medical tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Gather all of your supplies to make them readily available as your treat your dog's minor cut. Make sure you are treating the cut indoors rather than outdoors so dirt will not get into the wound.

    • 2

      Apply a large amount of the K-Y or similar jelly to the wound. This is to keep the wound covered while you cut the hair around the wound.

    • 3

      Use the electric hair clipper, razor blade, or scissors to trim away all of the hair within an inch radius of the wound. You want to remove the hair to keep it from getting into the wound and also to be easier to keep the wound clean and treated. If your dog has long hair, cut away as much hair as possible that would potentially get into the wound.

    • 4

      Use a gauze pad or washcloth to wipe away all of the jelly, and any loose hair that fallen loose, from the wound.

    • 5

      Mix together antiseptic cleaning solution and water in a bowl until the solution has a pale color. It should only take a small amount of water to dilute the antiseptic solution. Use the syringe to apply the diluted antiseptic to the wound by gently squirting it on the affected area. Have your washcloth handy because you will need it to blot up the excess solution. Make sure not to wipe because you may irritate the cut.

    • 6

      Keep cleaning the wound with the solution until the cut seems clean of all dirt, hair, blood and other debris.

    • 7

      Take some extra gauze and soak it in the remaining antiseptic solution and gently pat it on and around your dog's wound. You will want to thoroughly dry the fur around the wound because if it is wet your dog will feel like it needs to lick it dry.

    • 8

      Apply antiseptic ointment to wounds that are in places that your dog cannot reach to lick off. If the wound is where your dog can lick it off, place gauze over the wound and ointment and tape it well to the skin that has been shaved.

    • 9

      Repeat steps as needed until the cut has healed. Make sure the wound is kept clean and treated to avoid infections. If the wound does not seem to be healing or becomes infected, see a veterinarian for care.