2025 Vet Guide: How to Stop Your Dog From Licking Their Wounds 🐶🚫👅

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

It’s instinctive: dogs lick to soothe pain, clean wounds, and even for endorphin release—but excessive licking can injure tissue, delay healing, and introduce infection. Let’s explore why they do it, the risks involved, and the best ways to protect your pup as they heal. ❤️🩹

🔍 1. Why Dogs Lick Their Wounds

• Relieve pain via overstimulation of their brain’s calming pathways.
• Keep a wound clean—dog saliva has mild antiseptic effects and enzymes like lysozyme, histatins, and nitric oxide, which offer limited antibacterial action.
• Provide soothing comfort—licking releases endorphins that relax your dog.

⚠️ 2. Why Licking Can Be Harmful

• Over-licking damages skin, disrupts healing, and may reopen wounds—especially post-surgery.
• Saliva can introduce harmful bacteria like Pasteurella, Staph, or Pseudomonas, leading to infection or delayed healing.
• Persistent licking may evolve into acral lick granulomas, causing ulcers from behavioral compulsivity.

🛡️ 3. Effective Ways to Prevent Licking

✅ Medical Cones (E-Collars)

• Classic plastic or soft cones that block access to wounds—size matters: extend 2″ past muzzle.
• Inflatable collars—more comfortable, avoid bumping but less effective on paw wounds.

✅ Recovery Suits & Clothing

• Onesies or full-body suits protect chest, tummy, or hind wounds.
• Sleeves, socks, or booties safeguard injured limbs from contact.

✅ Wound Dressings

• Veterinary-applied dressings or bandages protect and absorb drainage; follow vet guidance to avoid complications.
• Enzymatic cleansers (like diluted chlorhexidine, saline) or approved sprays (like Vetericyn, Douxo) support a clean healing environment.

✅ Distraction & Behavior

• Offer chew toys, food puzzles, or enrichment to occupy their mind and prevent obsessive licking.
• Use short-term bitter anti-lick sprays—vet-approved formulas—to deter licking (monitor for reactions).
• Supervise your dog, employ leash breaks post-injury, and gently redirect attention away from the wound.

🩺 4. When to Visit the Vet

• Wounds look red, swollen, warm, smell, or drain pus—signs of infection.
• Licking leading to reopened wounds or removed stitches.
• Behavioral concern: if licking becomes obsessive (see granuloma section).
• Compounded health issues like pain or underlying skin conditions.

🏡 5. Home Care Checklist

• Clip hair around the wound to prevent debris.
• Clean wound gently—warm water, saline, or vet-recommended solutions, wearing gloves.
• Apply appropriate dressing and protective gear (cone, suit, bandage).
• Use anti-lick deterrents if directed, and reposition the cone/suit as the dog recovers.
• Encourage healing: calm exercise, nutritious food, comfortable bedding, hydration.
• When in doubt, consult your vet or use the Ask A Vet app for guidance and reminders.

📚 FAQs

Q: Isn't licking natural—shouldn't I let it happen?

Gentle licking may help early, but habitual licking causes damage. Protective measures are safer than allowing unrestricted licking.

Q: Are soft cones better?

They’re more comfortable and popular in 2025 but may not protect paw or crotch wounds—choose based on injury location.

Q: How long should dogs wear protective gear?

Typically, 7–14 days until the wound heals. Keep checking under dressings and take breaks during meals or potty time with supervision.

💬 Owner Insight

> “I used a full-body suit for my Spaniel after hot-spot surgery —no cone! She didn’t lick once, and healed cleanly with zero stress.”

🏁 Final Thoughts from Dr Houston

Protecting wounds from licking is key to safe, speedy healing. In 2025, smarter solutions—like soft cones, suits, dressings, and distraction tools—help your dog heal comfortably. With thoughtful vet collaboration and at-home care, you can support recovery while avoiding complications. 💙🐾

Download the Ask A Vet app to access immediate wound‑care advice, reminders, and expert support anytime. 📱

AskAVet.com – Keeping healing on track.