No dog owner wants to think of their pooch in pain. Unfortunately, dog paw wounds are all too common. While bumps, scrapes, and breaks happen, they can get worse if not properly treated. Fortunately, learning how to wrap a dog’s paw is not that difficult!
A safe, clean, and properly applied bandage may be very important in the healing process and could prevent a dog paw infection. Properly applying a dog paw bandage might help prevent bleeding and additional injury, along with providing some pain relief for your dog.
If you’ve never had to treat a dog paw injury, putting together a doggy first aid kit is a good place to start. The following items should be included in your pet first aid kit:3
● Antiseptic
● Sterile pads
● Adhesive bandage/tape
● Gauze
How To Clean a Dog Wound
If you can see a swollen dog paw or if your dog is limping, bleeding, or in some other way has clearly injured their leg, you can use the following step-by-step instructions to care for the wound until you can see your veterinarian:4
● Start by looking for foreign objects in the wound, such as bits of glass. Carefully remove them with tweezers. Swishing the paw in cold water can also help dislodge any particles. Deeply-lodged debris should only be removed by professional veterinarians.
● Clean and disinfect the wound area. Use gentle disinfectants like betadine or a mild antibacterial soap.
● If there’s bleeding, apply pressure with a towel until it stops. If the bleeding still continues after 10 – 15 minutes, take your dog to an emergency clinic right away.
You should schedule a vet visit regardless, ideally within 3 days of injury.4 They’ll be able to take a closer look at the wound and prescribe medication, like antibiotics and painkillers, to speed up the healing process.
How to recognize a dog paw infection
An injured paw is bad enough, but an infection can make matters much worse.4 While changing your dog’s bandages, inspect the condition of their footpads. Look for swelling, discoloration, a liquid discharge, or a foul odor. Any of these could indicate an infection or compromised blood circulation. If untreated, both could become permanent damage. That’s why it’s so important to consult your vet as soon as something seems off.
How to Bandage a Dog’s Paw
Once you’ve cleaned and disinfected the wound, the next step is to bandage it:4
● Put a nonstick absorbent pad over the wound.
● Wrap a gauze bandage over the nonstick absorbent pad.
● Wrap a layer of adhesive tape over the bandage.
● Roll cotton over the gauze pad followed by stretch gauze.
● Change your dog’s bandage frequently to allow the wound to remain clean and free of bacteria.
You can prevent your dog from chewing on their bandage with an anti-lick spray. Take note of your pup’s toes when you change the bandage for signs of infection.
How To Keep a Dog Paw Bandage On
Keeping the bandage on your dog can prove to be quite challenging, even if you have followed the suggested steps correctly. To keep the bandage in place, here are a couple of tips to consider:
● Keep it dry.
● Do not leave your pet unsupervised outdoors.
● Consider placing a cone on your dog to prevent them from removing the bandage.
● Place a sock or dog bootie over the bandage.
Can Pet Insurance Help With a Dog Paw Injury?
Cleaning and bandaging your dog’s paw at home isn’t likely to cost an arm and a leg. Vet visits are another matter, however. Wound treatment and repair could run you between $800 and $2,500.5
No pet parent wants a bill to get in the way of the treatment their furry family needs. With a dog insurance policy, you could be reimbursed for some or all of the cost of emergency treatment.2 With MetLife Pet Insurance, you can customize your plan to meet your unique needs.1 Learn more about how dog insurance can protect your pooch.