Using Liquid Bandage for Dogs – Your Guide

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Has your dog got an infected wound? Want to get the inside scoop on what liquid bandages can do for dogs? Or whether you should use them at all? Come on in and feast your eyes as we explore the liquid bandage dog-style.

Liquid Bandage for Dogs

Table of Contents

What are Liquid Bandages?

If you know what a bandage is itself, you are not going to have a terribly difficult time understanding what liquid bandages are.

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They are, essentially, just another way to seal a cut or abrasion. Where you would normally place an already-formed bandage on a wound, a liquid bandage is sprayed onto the wound. After that, it forms and solidifies itself.

In fact, liquid bandages have been around for decades, at least in terms of their use for humans. Their uses are many, finding a home in the arms of parents and nurses alike.

These liquid bandage dog styles have, however, only been around for a fairly short amount of time. The differences between the human and dog versions might appear small. But they could do some serious harm if utilized the wrong way.

These differences can vary greatly depending on which brands you are looking at, but generally, they are quite similar:

  • A liquid bandage for dogs is going to feature fewer abrasive chemicals that could potentially do the dog some serious harm. In this way, they will often have very little alcohol in them (if any at all). This lack of alcohol not only reduces the amount of irritation that might be enacted upon the skin of the dog but also contributes to a faster healing process overall.
  • In many instances, a liquid bandage for dogs will also be faster acting. Dogs are rather curious creatures and tend to lick just about anything they can. Thus, they might lick the bandage off before it has a chance to set properly. Liquid bandages for dogs will, therefore, need to act fast, lest they be licked away entirely before they can do their job.

These are only the basics, though. There will likely be countless small differences depending on the brand you are using.

Human Liquid Bandage + Dog?

Can I use liquid bandages on dogs? This is a perfectly valid question.

Often, I have found myself squatting on my haunches in the aisles of a pet store wondering whether I need to buy a separate product for my dog or whether I can’t just use the human version I already have.

Is this not just another capitalist ploy to rid me of my hard-earned coin?

Such skepticism is not only understandable, but it is also downright encouraged by the way the world is headed. In this instance, however, you will need to do at least a little research before you go ahead and thumb your nose up at ‘the man’.

While it is technically safe to use liquid bandages for humans on your furry canine friend, it is best to look at the ingredients before you introduce any such chemicals into the equation, for example, if your dogs nail ripped off.

Often, human liquid bandages feature a whole butt-load of alcohol and other irritants that might ease the pain for a human but would otherwise encourage a dog to just itch and scratch the bandage off entirely. This atop the fact that it might encourage the growth of rashes and other lesions on your dog’s skin is surely enough reason to think twice and read the label.

Needless to say, such liquid bandages are not to be digested. As aforementioned, liquid bandages for humans take longer to dry.

Seeing as dogs have a tendency to lick just about anything that takes their fancy, you would do best to use a liquid bandage specifically designed to dry quickly enough that a dog does not get the chance to lick away at the potentially toxic chemical contents.

If you do intend to use a human liquid bandage, then be prepared to be there to prevent the dog from licking the solution as it dries.

Using Liquid Bandage For Dogs – Your Guide

When to Use a Liquid Bandage

With so much at stake, it would be useful to know when exactly to use a liquid bandage on your furry friend instead of another means of medication.

Liquid bandages are best when utilized for specific types of injuries that include small, clean, and/or dry cuts in areas that are prone to reopening due to movement and vulnerability.

This includes cuts on the ears, nails, nose, or on paws themselves. All of which are going to attract a considerable amount more attention than some other less vulnerable areas.

All of these areas, you will notice, are moving a heck of a lot more than others. The ears, for instance, even if they are not being moved physically by the dog itself, then are being moved by the wind that runs through their fur.

Due to the consistent opening and reopening of wounds in these areas, they become far more prone to infections, exposed on and off to the various bacteria in the air around the dog. Dogs do not exactly make it easy for themselves either, often galloping around in the literal dirt.

Thus, you should generally look to use liquid bandages for dogs if the dog in question has injured itself to the point of needing medical attention but does not need to see an actual veterinarian quite yet.

Those already cursing the many expenses that come with owning a dog in the 21st century will be expelling a great sigh of relief at the thought that they can sort out this kind of issue on their own without forking out however much to pay a professional.

However, there are instances where using liquid bandages for dogs is not quite the right thing to do.

Using Liquid Bandage For Dogs – Your Guide

When Not to Use a Liquid Bandage

Indeed, these liquid bandages might seem like a wonderful and ingenious cure-all. But there are some wounds that they should not be used for. At least in terms of canine health and well-being.

These include:

  • Wounds that are leaking any discharge like pus or copious amount of blood. In these instances, the discharge is an entirely necessary part of the process. The body is expelling the infected material so that it can no longer interfere. Placing a vacuum-tight liquid bandage over the top will only exacerbate the problem by keeping it in the body.
  • It is best to avoid using liquid bandages in the case of hot spots. This is a condition otherwise known as moist dermatitis. The skin reddens, moistens, and swells as a result of allergies, infection or moisture trapped within the coat of the dog. Again, using a liquid bandage for such a condition would only seem to worsen the problem.
  • Deeper wounds are also to be avoided. As aforementioned, liquid bandages are great to use for dogs when they are in need of minor medical attention. These do not necessarily require the professional intervention of a veterinarian. Indeed, it can be difficult to know when to involve such a professional. My answer would be when the wound is deep enough to cause concern.
  • Equally, though, there are less drastic instances where you might want to avoid using liquid bandages for your dog. Small wounds inherently heal faster when they have air reaching them. Therefore, covering minor cuts with a liquid bandage that smothers them. It prevents oxygen from getting in will slow down the healing process. It’ll make healing longer in instances where bacteria have been trapped inside.

How to Use Liquid Bandage on Dog

It is best to follow the product’s instructions to make sure that you’re using it correctly.

Don’t let your dog get to the bandage at the moment it’s sprayed. They might lick it while it’s wet. Therefore, they’d ingest something they shouldn’t.

Try to keep them from nibbling at the bandage when it’s dry, too.

Which Liquid Bandage is Right?

There are more options than ever for just about every product in the supermarket. This is no exception for those liquid bandages we have beneath our microscope today.

Indeed, there can be an incredible amount of panic when purchasing something in the supermarket today. The noise, the hustle and bustle, all of the people, and the bright lights. This does not even take into account the yelping of your dog for mercy after they have just been injured.

If you are really at a loss and in a rush, you can scarcely go wrong with a reputable brand for the job.

Sure enough, they might not be the absolute best at the job. There might actually be a reputable brand that people know for its liquid bandages.

Still, in a rush and on a whim, a trusted brand in the field of canine and feline products will no doubt do you about as good a service as such a panic can muster.

You might even consider using a cone instead of a liquid bandage. Especially for dogs who just will not stop licking other things besides their wounds.

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Liquid Bandage Dog Usage – Last Bark

So, can I use liquid bandage on dog? The answer is it depends.

And there you have it! Hopefully, this has been of some use to you in assessing whether or not liquid bandages would be the right thing for your own dog and its wounds.

It is our hope that you now have at least some idea of how to go about helping your dog to a full recovery. Best of luck and well wishes to the poorly pooch!

FAQs

Can liquid bandage be used on a dog?

Liquid bandage products are generally safe to use on dogs for minor cuts, abrasions, and small wounds. While liquid bandage products can be useful for minor wounds, they are not a substitute for proper veterinary care, especially for more serious injuries.