Wound Care
How to safely clean minor scrapes, cuts, and hot spots at home — and how to recognize the wounds that need immediate veterinary attention.
For small, superficial wounds such as minor scrapes, shallow cuts, or mild hot spots, gentle home care can help keep the area clean while the skin heals.
If fur is covering the wound, safety comes first. Never use scissors to cut away matted fur, as this is a very common cause of accidental skin injury. If you have pet clippers, you may carefully clip the hair around (not directly over) the wound. If you do not have clippers, it is safest to use a wet towel to gently wipe the area clean rather than trying to cut the fur.
Clean the wound once or twice daily. Rinse the area with lukewarm water to remove debris, then gently cleanse using either dilute dish soap in water (such as Ivory or Dawn) or a diluted chlorhexidine solution such as Hibiclens. Hibiclens is available over the counter at most human pharmacies. Use clean gauze or a soft cloth and avoid aggressive scrubbing.
If dish soap is used, rinse thoroughly with water. Dry the area completely by gently patting with a clean towel or gauze. Moisture trapped in the fur or skin can slow healing and increase the risk of infection.
A triple antibiotic ointment can be applied once clean and dry in dogs. A triple antibiotic ointment is a topical medication used on minor skin wounds to help prevent bacterial infection. It is commonly sold over the counter for human use and is also frequently used in veterinary medicine for small, superficial wounds.
It typically contains three antibiotics:
- Bacitracin
- Neomycin
- Polymyxin B
Together, these provide broad antibacterial coverage for minor cuts, scrapes, and abrasions.
When used for dogs, we recommend you choose a formulation without added steroids, anesthetics, or pain relievers (such as lidocaine, benzocaine, or hydrocortisone), as these additives can delay healing or be harmful if licked. Apply only a thin layer, and always use a lick-prevention device if needed to keep your pet from ingesting it.
Triple antibiotic ointments are appropriate only for simple, superficial wounds. They should not be used on deep, full-thickness wounds, punctures, bite wounds, or wounds that are worsening or producing discharge. If there is any uncertainty, we recommend checking in with us before applying any topical medication.
Lick prevention or protective support is typically necessary for wounds to heal properly. We recommend using an appropriate support or lick-prevention device and reviewing the section in our library on recommended coverings and devices to help protect the area during healing.
Simple wounds should improve quickly, often within 24 to 48 hours, with decreasing redness, irritation, and discharge. If the wound worsens instead of improving, we recommend having your pet seen right away.
Full-thickness wounds should always be evaluated immediately. This includes wounds that are deep or gaping, those where underlying tissue or fat is visible, wounds that continue to bleed, bite wounds or punctures (due to increased risk of infection), or wounds associated with increasing swelling, heat, pain, discharge, foul odor, lethargy, or decreased appetite. When in doubt, please reach out — we are always happy to help.