Caring for Cuts on Your Dog's Nose

Dogs get their noses into all kinds of stuff. It's pretty easy for them to stick their tender snouts into danger and come out with a wound. Seeing your pup bleed is always distressing, but if you stay calm you'll be in much better shape to help your four-legged friend.

By following the steps below, you should be able to get or give your fur-baby the help they need to recover. Remember, if the cut is from any kind of animal bite, it's best to get to a vet as soon as possible even if there isn't a lot of blood. Wounds from bites are full of scary bacteria that need to be cleaned and checked by a professional.

Step 1: Assess The Damage

All cuts are not created equal. If you see blood on your pooch's nose, you'll need to take a closer look to see what's really going on. For this to happen, you're going to want your pup in one place, so now is the time to grab a leash. Attach the leash to a sturdy object, or call on a friend to do the holding while you get up close and personal with your mutt's mug. What does the wound look like? Is it a scrape? A cut? Is it still bleeding? If it is, head straight on to the next step.

Step 2: Control the Bleeding!

With any bleeding wound, slowing or stopping blood loss is top priority. If you have gauze on hand, it works wonders for absorbing blood and helping the clotting process. Just know that if your dog bleeds through one layer of gauze, pile on another layer instead of removing the bloody one. Taking off the first layer can reopen the cut and actually cause more bleeding. If the bleeding doesn't taper off after five minutes, it's time to get your doggo to the animal hospital! Some cuts are much too deep to properly address at home.

Step 3: Clean it Up

Even if the wound itself doesn't look that threatening, proper cleaning is a must! This is because harmful bacteria can enter the bloodstream from an open wound and cause pretty devastating infections. If the cut came from a bite, this is even more so the case. Use povidone iodine or betadine to clean the area by gently wiping the cut. You can then put a little dab of antibiotic ointment over the wound, but keep it thin because your pooch is sure to lick it off in no time. Be prepared to reapply the ointment throughout the day to keep things in tip-top shape.

Keep an Eye on the Nose

Cuts on the nose are pretty difficult to bandage. Because of this, you'll have to check the area daily for any signs of infection, like swelling or pus. Bring your pup to the vet immediately if it looks like the wound isn't getting better. It's also a good idea to trim any long hairs around your dog's nose to keep things as clean as possible.

Start a doggy first aid kit before an emergency even happens, and you'll feel more prepared to handle whatever comes your way. By properly caring for a cut on your canine's nose, you can keep a simple scrape from turning into a big problem!