I recommend povidone iodine or Betadine® solution because it's naturally antifungal, antiviral, safe, non-stinging, non-toxic, and non-abrasive. It's a very effective disinfectant for your pet's paws. You can either have your dog simply walk through the tub a few times, or stand him in it for about 30 seconds.
If you want to do a routine dog paw cleaning after a quick walk, just gently wipe the paws with a washcloth and water. As an even more convenient option, the American Kennel Club recommends using moist wipes that are safe for dogs.
While you don't have to completely soak your dog, washing their paws thoroughly to remove dirt or harmful substances like road salt is sometimes the best—or only—option.
To apply betadine on your dog, gently wipe the wound with a washcloth saturated with the betadine solution. You can do this up to twice a day for minor sores or skin infections. One great thing about Betadine is that it is completely harmless if it's ingested.
Betadine is an over-the-counter topical antiseptic meant to reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin. It contains povidone-iodine, which is a potent antiseptic. For many reasons, veterinarian surgeons use it when preparing the skin for surgery. It is also great for dog wounds.
Iodine (betadine) is a valuable aid in the treatment of hot spots, skin irritations, small cuts and grazes, and itchy paws. Dilute iodine with water until the solution is the colour of iced tea.
Natural antiseptics include turmeric, coconut oil, aloe vera and witch hazel. For a spicy antiseptic concoction that will also help with inflammation—and prevent licking, because most dogs don't love the smell—mix turmeric from your spice cabinet with aloe vera in a 1:1 ratio and smooth it on the scrape.
ACV will soothe the irritation on paws that are infected by bacteria due to excessive licking and scratching. Soak the paws of your pooch in two-part water to one part Apple Cider Vinegar bath for 5 minutes. Just pat dry the paws and do not rinse them.
“Attention Pet Owners: Do not use hand sanitizer to clean your pet's paws. It can cause poisoning if absorbed through the skin. Hand sanitizer products can make your dog sick if eaten,” the FDA tweeted. TODAY spoke with veterinarian Dr.
Apple cider vinegar is a great remedy for stopping dog licking paws. Because of its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, apple cider vinegar can help soothe the skin and eliminate possible irritants that may be causing the dog to lick.
Are They Safe? No, it is not recommended that you use baby wipes on dogs, or any other pets. That's because the pH level on human skin is different to dogs so baby wipes are unsafe because they may cause irritation or itching.
It's probably not a good idea to use a disinfecting wipe, like a Clorox Wipe or a Lysol Wipe, on your dog's paws. The same chemicals that do the disinfecting are harmful if ingested… like if the dog licks the paws after using that kind of wipe.
Baking soda paste dries out rashes, alleviates itching, and reduces inflammation. To make the paste, mix 50% baking soda with 50% water and apply the paste to their paws. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. You can also add coconut oil to the mix to add some moisture to the paste.
It's common for dogs to get yeast infections in their paws; soaking your dog's paws in ACV will relieve that too. When diluted and added to a spray bottle, apple cider vinegar is a strong disinfectant and even works as a mild flea repellent.
This sounds obvious, but many owners will be unaware that things they think can help their dog will in fact do more harm than good. For example, he says you should never put anything on your dog's wound. Antiseptics such as Savlon, Dettol and similar products should never be used! They are far too harsh, he said.
They spoke about how toxic Dettol can be to our pets. Not just our dogs, but birds and in-particular cats. The active toxic ingredient they referred to was Chloroxylenol. Chloroxylenol is the antibacterial in dettol that acts to kill germs and reduces inflammation.
All-Purpose Cleaner
In a spray bottle, combine equal parts water and vinegar (either distilled white vinegar or ACV) and shake to blend. For best results, use filtered or distilled water that won't leave behind mineral deposits, especially if you have hard tap water.
You can use an antimicrobial skin cleanser like Hibiscrub chlorhexidine gluconate to clean your dog's skin or to treat light wounds.
Make a bowl of salt water and place your dog's paws in the water to soak for at least 10 minutes. You can also use terry cloths or sponges to make compresses to use on injured skin. Repeat this process two to three times a day for optimal effects.
If available, apply a small amount of antiseptic wound cream such as Savlon or Germolene to prevent infection. Do this just prior to a walk or feeding to distract your pet from licking it off.
For Professional Veterinary Use Only
Use full strength for: Preoperative prepping of skin and mucous membranes. Preventing bacterial infection. Emergency antisepsis of minor lacerations, abrasions, and burns.
Treating a Pet's Cut
Your pet first aid kit should include antiseptic spray or ointment, hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds, gauze, cotton balls, bandage material, adhesive tape, a pair of tweezers and a pair of scissors. Never use over the counter oral pain-relieving medications in dogs. Many are toxic to them!
Antibiotic ointment
Commonly used by humans for minor cuts or scrapes, this would be a personal care product that may be shared with our furkids with similar types of injuries. Some examples of this ointment would be Bepanthen First Aid Cream, Neosporin Original Ointment or Dermacyn WoundCare Hydrogel.