What to do with cuts and scratches

Treating cuts and scratches depends on how large and deep the wound is. It’s actually quite difficult to tell, because your dog’s fur covers the wound and because dogs don’t bleed profusely. It’s best to always check your dog for signs of blood or injury. If you locate an injury, carefully clip away the hair around the wound. If the cut is longer than a centimetre, the best thing is to immediately contact your vet. It’s not necessarily very serious, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry and let the vet put in a couple of stitches.

When you decide to take your dog to the vet, it’s advisable to do nothing with the wound, leave that to the experts. However, if the wound is bleeding profusely, then you should apply pressure to the wound with a clean towel, this should stop the bleeding in a matter of minutes.

If, as in most cases, it’s a minor scratch or wound, it won’t need too much treatment, just a soothing cream should suffice. Though be careful, sometimes that can prolong the problem, because it brings your dog’s attention to the wound. It’s generally a good idea to cut the hair away and use a very mild antiseptic solution and keep an eye open for any swelling. This may indicate that an infection has set in.

For very mild injuries you can also consider applying an ice pack or even something else frozen that is readily at hand in the freezer. Applying this for a few minutes will bring relief and comfort to your pal. A snack or your dog’s favourite food is also a good way to distract them from the situation.