Tips and Help for Cleaning Dog Wounds at Home

Dog can receive wounds from causes ranging from fights to accidents to over-grooming. If you notice that your dog has a wound, swift cleaning can lead to easier treatment and a better chance of the wound healing without a problem. Cleaning a dog's wound is straightforward, but there are many tips that can make the process simpler.

  1. Clip the Fur Away From the Wound

    • Fur can get in the way of cleaning the wound, and in some cases, it can even disguise the severity or the extent of the wound. Use fur clippers to cut back the fur, starting at the edges of the wound and working away. This can make cleaning the wound much easier.

    Muzzle the Dog.

    • Even the most friendly dog can act unpredictably if he is in pain. Muzzling and restraining him will prevent him from biting the people who are trying to help.

    Clear Any Debris From the Wound

    • A wound cannot effectively be cleaned until all of the debris is cleared from the affected area. This may include dirt or gravel or splinters of wood. Pick the debris out with tweezers or with your fingers before you start to clean the wound.

    Wash Your Hands

    • Before you touch a dog's wound, make sure that you wash your own hands thoroughly. The wound should be kept as clean as possible, and washing your hands before you handle any lacerations in the dog's flesh will help prevent infection.

    Use Hydrogen Peroxide

    • While hydrogen peroxide should not be used immediately on a wound that is still bleeding, it can be used on a laceration where the dog has ceased bleeding. Hydrogen peroxide can clean the wound, and it will not be harmful if the dog ends up licking the wound later.

    Use Running Water

    • When you do not have any hydrogen peroxide on hand, washing the dog's wound in running water can clear out debris and prevent immediate infections.

    Know When to Call the Veterinarian

    • Dogs with wounds that seem particularly deep or that will not stop bleeding should be taken to the veterinarian. Similarly, wounds resulting from dog bites should be taken to the veterinarian because of the high chance of infection.