How to Keep a Dog From Biting His Own Injury

It's healthy for dogs to chew, but sometimes they choose to chew on unhealthy items, including themselves. It's a natural instinct of dogs to lick their wounds in an attempt to heal them, but excessive licking and biting prevents injuries from healing and can cause infection. Preventing dogs from doing what comes naturally is not easy, but it's necessary to ensure the health of your pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Spray
  • Ointment
  • Interactive chew toys
  • Sedatives
  • Herbal dog biscuit
  • Fabric wraps or covers
  • Elizabethan collar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide injured dogs with a lot of attention and as much activity as they can handle. Boredom and anxiety cause many dogs to chew on an injured body part. Activities such as walks and tug of war that distract their attention from injuries can prevent chewing.

    • 2

      Ask you veterinarian for an anti-lick cream, spray or ointment with a bad taste that discourages your dog from biting an injury. Bitter Apple, which is available through many vets, works well for many dogs.

    • 3

      Give dogs interactive chew toys such as bones that can be inserted with dog treats, biscuits or cheese. Toys can offer the chewing activities dogs require while distracting them from their injuries.

    • 4

      Request medication for your dog that calms and prevents anxiety during the healing process. Sedatives or tranquilizers can keep dogs from biting injuries until wounds have healed enough to stop bothering them. Pet stores also offer calming agents such as dog biscuits containing valerian and chamomile.

    • 5

      Cover your dog's injury with fabric wraps such as booties or vet wrap. Vet wrap is a fabric tape that sticks to itself and is designed to wrap around bandages and wounds over areas that are small or large.

    • 6

      Buy an Elizabethan collar and place it over your dog's head. An Elizabethan collar is a cone shaped device that fits around the neck to keep dogs from reaching injuries and hot spots. Monitor your dog carefully, as it may bump into its surroundings when wearing one. Homemade collars that serve the same purpose but allow dogs more freedom include plastic pails with the bottom cut out or a piece of cone-shaped carpet wrapped around the neck and attached with tape or Velcro.