Can I Use Neosporin On My Dog?

Every responsible dog parent has a health and safety kit to deal with any minor injuries that may happen at home. Let’s say a dog has a small scrape, burn or wound. That doesn’t warrant a trip to the emergency room since you can clean and dress it at home.

One popular brand used by us is Neosporin. It’s an ointment sold over the counter which uses a triple combination of antibiotics to prevent bacterial skin infections. Can this cheap and easy solution work for your dog?

Is Neosporin safe for dogs?

Yes. It’s perfectly safe in small amounts, but you must consider certain things before applying it to your dog’s superficial wounds.

For instance, if the wound is larger than a penny, is bleeding profusely, or is a puncture from a dog bite, Neosporin won’t do much good, and you’ll need to go to the vet. Secondly, your dog may lick the Neosporin off which prevents the ointment from working and can introduce more bacteria to the wound. If your dog ingests too much, it can even lead to stomach issues. At this point, call Poison control

Never use more than half an inch of Neosporin on your dog’s wound. Similarly, this prevents allergic reactions if your dog happens to be allergic. You can check for allergies by testing a small amount on your dog’s skin. If there are red spots or swelling, stop use immediately.

Using Neosporin on dogs

Before applying Neosporin to the wound, clean it gently with soap and water then pat dry. Aggressive cleaning can cause new wounds and can delay healing. Next, apply a tiny amount, which is no more than half an inch strip. Prevent your dog from licking, chewing, or scratching at the wound with a collar. Monitor the wound for changes or signs of infection.

If there is swelling, bad odor, discharge, or pain, see your regular veterinarian immediately.