If your dog has an open wound and he cannot resist itself from licking it, that’s a problem. Licking such open wounds often lead to infection and worsen it. There are many ways by which you can combat your dog stop licking wound. Some of the easiest ways are to put a cone or a collar on them to keep the dog from licking wounds.
You can also cover such wounds with bandages and cover them with sleeves to divert their attention towards their injury. Let us understand all the techniques in a detailed way.
Method-1: Using a Collar
For this, you have to measure the neck of your dog carefully. In case you do not have any measuring tape; you can use your shoelaces as well. All you have to do is to measure the laces against the ruler. If you are planning for brace type collars, make sure that you have measured the dog’s neck, including their chin and shoulders.
Some important tips that you can consider are –
Take Care of Measurement :
- Collars and cones usually require a relatively close it to keep your dog free from performing its daily activities and also to save them from licking their wound.
- Many types of collars usually slip from your dog’s head when they play or run, so keep this thing in your mind.
Fitting Your Dog with a Suitable Cone :
The plastic cone, also called an “Elizabethan Collar,” is one of the best ways for your dog stop licking wound. Perhaps it is one of the traditional methods to keep dog onesie to stop licking. The cones are transparent so that dogs do not feel scared and comfortable in these. Follow the below mention procedure for proper handling with such collar :
- Make sure that an Elizabethan collar reduces the peripheral vision of the dogs, and they might feel clumsy and awkward in them for a few hours, so observe them well.
- Ensure that your dog can eat and drink well and with ease while wearing this collar. In case you feel that there is any problem, adjust the cone accordingly around their neck.
- These collars are proved to be useful in such cases when you are leaving your dog alone in the homes for a few hours, so that they may not accidentally lick their wound.
- Make sure that the design of the Elizabethan collar is vast, and many dogs stuck themselves between the furniture and walking around the tighter areas of your home. So, take care to rearrange such areas accordingly to prevent such conditions.
Method-2: Using an Inflatable Collar
Still, you are not satisfied with the above method completely; you can try this method for the dog to stop licking wounds. The hard-plastic structure of the cone can restrict your dog’s movement and can also make him uncomfortable to sleep. Some of the particular breeds of dogs strongly resist themselves in wearing such collars. So, you can use any soft and inflatable collars for such dogs.
Some crucial points you should note are using that collars –
- Many types of alternative collars do not work on dogs with long noses such as Dobermans and greyhound.
- Remember that such inflated collars can easily be punctured by your dogs, for them do not use such types of collars.
Method-3: Check for All the Available Options
There are several types and designs of collars are available online as well as on the pet stores. It will be hard and a confusing condition about which one would be best for your dog. The one you think will be best for your dog can reject him. These are some of the helpful tips that might work.
- If you are visiting a pet store, the best ways are to try every type of cone and collars available on your dog. Or else you can also ask the shopkeeper for replacement warranty if dog rejects it.
- Make sure that the size of such a collar or cone depends on the location and type of injury. For example, if your dog has witnessed some sort of eye surgery uses a small cone. On the other hand, if the damage lies along its tail, you have to use a cone that has a larger circumference. As the sole aim of such collars and cones is to prevent dogs from reaching their injuries.
Cleaning and Covering the Wound of Your Dog
Apart from attaching a collar or a cone around the neck region of your dog, you can also cover their wound correctly.
Follow these steps for the same –
Firstly, clean the wound in tap water; you can also use a saline solution for the same. You can even make your saline solution by mixing one teaspoon of salt in 2 cups of water. After this, clean the wound with the help of a soap solution. Make sure to use such soap solutions that are recommended by your vets. Never use such soaps that are designated for humans, as it may irritate your dog’s skin. Now you can apply lotion or ointment as prescribed by your veterinarian. Make sure to bandage the wound when it becomes dry. Never apply such bandages when the injuries are wet as it may cause infections.
Make sure to choose the bandage that is designed especially for the dog’s wound to provide a firm grip. It all depends on the size of the injury and its location. For such wounds that are on the dog’s legs, there are some special bandages available in the market that looks like boots. Remember to use surgical tape over the dressing of the dog’s body to ensure the safety of the wound.
You can also spray a no-lick spray available in the pet stores that prevent the dog from licking the bandage. The taste and smell of such sprays are disgusting, and dogs do like them to lick or even smell. These types of sprays do not work for all breeds of dogs, so keep watching their attitude for a few hours. In case you feel that your dog is still licking the bandage opt for some other measures.
At last, try to distract your dog as much as you can take them for a walk or offer them their favorite treat. The best is to let your dog sleep as much they can.
Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs) you may Like to Read
Is it OK for dogs to lick their wounds?
Licking on the usual scratches and wounds of the dogs is helpful for them. But take care that licking the wounds after the surgery is strongly discouraged. Pay special attention when their wounds involved stitches as they might accidentally pull them and worsen the situation.
Does a dog licking a wound help it heal faster?
Yes, licking of the dogs on their wounds makes it to heal faster. The reason behind this is that the saliva of dogs contains an enzyme that destroys the cell walls of the bacteria that can settle on their wounds. Moreover, licking of the wound provides it with protease inhibitors and growth factors that promote the rate of wound healing.
Why do dogs lick human wounds?
When we get hurt, we always need a friend that soothes our pain. Our dogs who are the best companions notice such a situation and try to heal our pain as they do for themselves. It’s their psychological behavior to lick the wound to heal it as early as possible. There is specific healing capacity in their saliva that soothes and fixes the injury, and your dog wants to relax you as soon as possible.
What happens if my dog licks his stitches?
In case if your dog licks the wound that is covered with stitches, there might be a possibility that it may break the threads accidentally while licking and can make the condition of its wound more severe. It is always advised to stop your dog from licking such wounds.
How can I clean an infected dog’s wound by myself?
First of all, wash your dog’s wound with fresh water and soap to remove all the impurities and dust particles present on them. After this, apply a small amount of antiseptic ointment with the help of cotton. Finally, cover the wound with a bandage or do proper dressing of the wound whichever is best. In case you have dressed up your dog’s injury, make sure to change them every 24 hours.
What does an infected wound look like?
An infected wound expands its area with redness around the wound. Such wounds usually witness yellowish or green color pus either stored around the wound and ooze after 2-3 days. An infected wound often accompanies a lot of pain, and a pet might witness swelling along with mild fever too.
Final Thought
Hope, now you well versed with the efficient ways to make your dog stop licking wound. The primary key to such a problem is to use your intelligence along with calmness. Make your dog feel relaxed in such conditions and try to divert their attention from their wound as much as you can.
The struggle only exists for a few weeks until your dog gets better. Make sure to take care of the wound as well. This incident is certainly a test for your skills as a dog owner by which you can prove your love to your lovely friend.