Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

Dog wound from playing: Can it heal naturally, even with licking?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | spayed | 4 years old | 57 lbs

Hi- our dog Kona got a wound when playing with our other dog. She does lick it occasionally, but I want to make sure we are ok to let it heal on its own. Besides licking it, it doesn’t seem to bother her too much. When it happened she didn’t even act hurst so we didn’t notice until we got home from the park and were petting her. Thank you!

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on July 27th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Kona. Poor girl. I would gently clean her wound with warm water and antiseptic soap. To keep her from licking at it, you can put an Ecollar on her. You can get one at a pet store or make one at home. Keep the wound clean and dry, and monitor it for signs of infection. If you see redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, then it is infected and she will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog had a litter of 7 pups 4 days ago. 1 has gash on back about an inch long. I can't take 2 vet. Mom licks wound and pup screams. How can I help this pup at home?
I’m so sorry to hear that. Clean the wound now with water and mild soap. Get some saline wound wash (PLAIN SALINE) from a pharmacy and use the wound wash to thoroughly wash the wound twice a day. I would recommend that you use a [wound care product](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-antimicrobial-pet-wound-and-skin-hydrogel) daily as well. It would be best to keep momma dog from licking it, and the only way to do that is to place an e-collar (cone) on the momma dog so she can’t reach to lick it. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything you can safely give over the counter for pain. Please do not give aspirin or any other baby formulated pain relievers. This wound is at high risk of getting infected, and at such a young age that could become very serious very quickly. I understand if you need to try to manage the wound at home for financial reasons, but if the skin around the wound is getting increasingly inflamed, or if the puppy isn’t eating or is act
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My dog has a cut on his leg and keeps licking it and my other dog keeps licking it I cant aford a vet what do I do
I would gently clean Brutis's wound with warm water and antiseptic soap. To keep him from licking at it, you can put an Ecollar on him. You can get one at a pet store or make one at home. Keep the other dog from licking it as well. Keep the wound clean and dry, and monitor it for signs of infection. If you see redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, then it is infected and he will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has had various leg ops. Long time since he’s had an op but always licks and reopens the wound. Today he must have been licking it whilst I was out. It was bubbling and fizzing out of the wound.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is likely infected. I think it would be best to have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check the extent of the wounds and see what would be best to treat them. What you can do in the meantime is use an e-collar in the to prevent further injury. You can buy that at your local pet store or online. Good luck and have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I feed one stray dog who got cut in his leg few days back now it looks like it’s healing and he always lick that wound but I also see dark color of skin so what is it ? Is it because of licking continuously or some other severe issue kindly see that
The most important thing to do is stop his licking by using a cone. Then clean the wound with a warm damp cloth and apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. The skin discoloring is from licking. This should heal in a few days to a week once he leaves it alone. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for your dog.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 15 yrs old pomeranian.. She got a wound on her back.. I mean the place where her tail gets folded.. V hv been treating it.. Washing with dettol n applying a powder named Negasunt.. But she's not allowing that wond to get cured.. Since she's
I would put an Ecollar on Sonu. That will keep her from licking at the wound and making it worse. I will put a link below on how to make one at home. She really should see a vet for this, as I would be concerned that the wound is infected and she needs antibiotics to heal it. Vets are trained to work with aggressive dogs, so that should not be a deterrent to bringing her into the vet. I'd take her in as soon as possible. Best of luck. http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Cali had a small bump show up on her right paw about a week ago, looked and felt like a tiny pimple, now it has grown and I can tell it's only going to get worse unless I can help her. I've been putting MicrocynAH (wound & skin care) on her paw ever
I would definitely buy a cone collar to prevent her from licking. It will only get worse if she comtinues to lick it. The air will allow it to dry out and hopefully heal quicker if you can keep her from licking it. I would clean it with some Mild soap and water. If it isn't improving or worsens then I would take her to your vet for an exam. Your vet will be able to provide oral antibiotics and itch medicines like steroids if needed to help it heal. I hope this helps
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 2 year old cat and a 1 year old basset beagle mix. I believe that they were playing a little too rough and the cat now has a single puncture wound towards the base of his tail and a little to the side. He is walking and eating fine. He only
Yes. I would gently clean the wound with warm water and antiseptic soap. To keep him from licking at it, you can put an Ecollar on him. You can get one at a pet store or make one at home. Keep the wound clean and dry, and monitor it for signs of infection. If you see redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, then it is infected and he will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a scabby wound on his neck due to his brother (my other dog) biting him excessively I know this because it’s okay unless his brothers bitten it, how do I stop him biting it and look after the wound
If they are play fighting a lot, then you may have to keep them separated until the wound can heal. 1. Clip the hair away from the wound using buzzing-type clippers, not scissors or a razor. This is so you can monitor the wound and keep the hair out of the way to help with healing. 2. Disinfect the wound once with peroxide or a first aid chlorhexidine wound soap. Do not continue to use peroxide, or alcohol, as this will delay healing. 3. Apply an antibacterial ointment, such as Neosporin, twice daily. If needed to clean the wound, use a warm wet wash cloth to gently wipe away any dried fluid. 4. Prevent all licking or scratching of the wound by using an e-collar or dog booties or socks. 5. See a vet if your pet experiences prolonged lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rectal temperature over 103, or if there is creamy discharge or discharge with a foul odor, or there is swelling around the wound.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Panda has grazed his wrist which I am treating with neosoothe he licked it off tried betadine he also licked off vet suggested Elizabethan collar but he chews everything tried bandage with cayenne pepper he removed that to what else can I do to stop
Poor Panda! Unfortunately the safest and most effective thing in this case is going to be the E-collar. Ask your vet for tips on sizing and securing it to Panda. In some cases, a little anti-anxiety medication or sedation for a day or two can really help him keep that cone on. If it is truly a small graze, it is likely to heal in the next couple days as long as he keeps away from it. I also recommend keeping him inside if at all possible for the next couple days.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I can't afford the vet right now as I've just paid off for all my pets yearly vaccinations and he was attacked a few days ago by a staffadshire bull terrier X sharpei the dog picked him up and shuck him he has a wound on his shoulder and a graze on h
If the wound appears to be healing, then you may not need to worry about it. However, without examining Marley, I can't tell you for sure if it is healing. You can take 3 pictures and attach them to a new Boop by Petco question and we may be able to help you more. For future reference, I routinely recommend the following steps to help a wound heal if you decide not to have it evaluated by a veterinarian: 1. Clip the hair away from the wound using buzzing-type clippers, not scissors or a razor. This is so you can monitor the wound and keep the hair out of the way to help with healing. 2. Disinfect the wound once with peroxide or a first aid chlorhexidine wound soap. Do not continue to use peroxide, or alcohol, as this will delay healing. 3. Apply an antibacterial ointment, such as Neosporin, twice daily. If needed to clean the wound, use a warm wet wash cloth to gently wipe away and dried fluid. 4. Prevent all licking or scratching of the wound by using an e-collar or dog booties or s
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Bandages & Wound Care Dog Toys Dog Health & Wellness Dog First Aid & Recovery Dog Recovery Cones & Surgical Suits Dog Braces & Splints Dog Dental Wipes & Brushless Cleaning Dog First Aid Kits & Tools Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Remedy+Recovery Dog Bandages & Wound Care HEALERS Dog Bandages & Wound Care NaturVet Dog Bandages & Wound Care Well & Good Dog Bandages & Wound Care Dogswell Dog Bandages & Wound Care Tomlyn Dog Bandages & Wound Care Curicyn Dog Bandages & Wound Care Vetericyn Dog Bandages & Wound Care TropiClean Dog First Aid & Recovery Natural Dog Company Dog First Aid & Recovery
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored