A scrape from a fence, a nicked paw pad on a walk, a scratch from a playmate. Small wounds happen to every active pet. Many minor injuries heal well, but some wounds that look small are not, especially bites and punctures.
This guide covers safe first steps, what to avoid, and how to tell when your pet needs a vet. It is not a replacement for veterinary care. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) stresses that first aid only bridges the gap until your pet can be seen, so plan a vet check after any first aid you give. [1]
Step 1: Keep yourself safe
An injured animal is likely to be in pain, scared and confused. The AVMA cautions that pain can make even the calmest pet bite or scratch. [1] Its advice: [1]
- Do not hug an injured pet, and keep your face away from its mouth.
- Examine slowly and gently, and stop if your pet becomes more agitated.
- A muzzle can prevent bites, but do not muzzle a pet that is vomiting.
- Wrap cats in a clean towel to restrain them gently.
Step 2: Stop the bleeding
The AVMA’s guidance for a bleeding wound: [1]
- Press a clean towel or cloth firmly and directly on the wound.
- Hold pressure for at least 3 minutes before checking whether the bleeding has stopped.
- If blood soaks through, add more layers on top. Do not lift off the first layer, because that can disturb the clot.
- Severe bleeding can quickly become life-threatening. Get to a vet immediately.
Step 3: Rinse the wound gently
Once bleeding is controlled, cleaning matters. Vets treat thorough flushing of a wound (called lavage) as a core part of wound care, together with removing damaged tissue, and note that medicines support this cleaning but cannot replace it. [2]
- The AVMA’s pet first aid kit list includes saline solution for cleansing wounds and notes that saline sold for contact lenses works well for most purposes. [1]
- A large syringe without a needle, or an eye dropper, can be used to flush the area. [1]
- Use plenty of fluid. For small surface scrapes, gentle rinsing with clean water or saline is a reasonable first step before calling your vet.
What not to put on a wound
- Hydrogen peroxide. The AVMA’s first aid guidance is explicit: do not use hydrogen peroxide on wounds. [1]
- Human pain relievers. Do not give them. The FDA warns that common human pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin can cause stomach ulcers and kidney or liver damage in dogs, and advises calling your vet before giving any medication. [3] Acetaminophen is especially dangerous for cats. [3]
- Human creams and ointments without your vet’s OK. Pets lick treated areas, and some products that are safe for people are not safe for animals. Your vet can say whether your pet needs anything on the wound at all.
- Household cleaners or bleach. These are not made for skin.
Step 4: Protect it and prevent licking
- A light covering of clean, nonstick gauze can protect a small wound on the way to the vet. The AVMA first aid kit includes nonstick bandages and self-adhering tape for this. [1]
- If your vet sends your pet home with a bandage, ask before you leave how to check it and when it needs changing.
- Do not wrap a limb tightly. A bandage that is too tight can cut off circulation. If toes swell, feel cold, or your pet chews at the bandage, call your vet. For more on bandage problems, see bandages on dogs and cats.
- Licking and chewing can reopen a wound. A cone (Elizabethan collar) is often used to protect healing skin.
Bites and punctures: the “small” wounds that are not small
Why bites are different
Vets regard every bite wound as contaminated, however minor it looks, because it carries bacteria from the biter’s mouth, from the victim’s own skin and from the surroundings. [2] Dog bites often crush and tear the tissue under the skin, while cat bites are punctures that can push bacteria deep inside. [2] Pockets of damaged tissue under the skin can form, and in severe cases infection can spread through the body. [2] That is why any bite should be checked by a vet.
Cat bites and abscesses
Fight wounds from another cat’s teeth and claws are among the most common problems seen in cats at the vet. [4] During a fight, bacteria from the teeth or claws are carried into the deeper layers of skin and the tissue below it. [4] The body may wall the infection off into a pocket of pus (an abscess), or the inflammation may spread more widely through the tissue (cellulitis). [4] Abscesses are common on the face, legs, neck, shoulders and the base of the tail, and may burst and drain thick pus. [4]
Signs that a bite has become infected include: [4]
- A swelling at the bite site, which may break open and drain
- Pain
- Fever
- Not eating
- Being dull or withdrawn
The Cornell Feline Health Center notes that outdoor cats and male cats are at higher risk of bite-wound abscesses, and that abscesses are treated by draining the infected site and giving antibiotics. [5]
For cats that go outdoors, and for abscesses that do not respond to treatment, your vet may also test for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). [4]
Signs a wound is infected or not healing
Call your vet if you notice:
- Increasing redness, swelling, heat or pain
- Pus, cloudy or bad-smelling discharge
- The wound opening up or getting bigger
- Fever, lethargy or loss of appetite
- Your pet constantly licking or chewing the area
In dogs, skin can also become infected without an obvious wound. Our guides to pyoderma in dogs and hot spots on dogs explain those conditions.
When to see a vet right away
Go to your vet or an emergency clinic promptly for:
- Bleeding that is severe or does not stop with pressure [1]
- Any bite wound, from another animal or a wild animal [2][4]
- Puncture wounds, including from sticks, nails or teeth
- Wounds that are deep or gaping, or where you can see fat, muscle or bone
- Wounds on the eye, chest, abdomen, or near joints
- Wounds with dirt or debris you cannot easily rinse out
- Any wound in a pet that is weak, pale, struggling to breathe, or in shock
- Maggots in a wound: do not try to remove them yourself; see maggots and warbles in dogs and cats
- Burns: the AVMA advises flushing with cool (not cold) water and seeking immediate veterinary care [1]
If in doubt, call. Your vet team can tell you over the phone whether to come in.
Build a simple pet first aid kit
The AVMA suggests keeping a kit with: [1]
- Phone numbers for your vet, emergency clinic and animal poison control
- A copy of your pet’s medical record
- A digital thermometer
- A muzzle, spare leash and collar
- Gauze roll, nonstick bandages or clean cloth strips, self-adhering tape and adhesive tape
- Clean towels
- Saline solution for rinsing wounds
- An eye dropper or large syringe (no needle)
- A pet carrier for cats and small dogs
Frequently asked questions
Can I put hydrogen peroxide on my dog’s or cat’s wound?
No. The AVMA’s pet first aid guidance says not to use hydrogen peroxide on wounds. [1] Use saline or clean water for rinsing, then call your vet.
Can I use Neosporin or another human antibiotic ointment?
Ask your vet first. Pets tend to lick ointments off, and a human product may not suit your pet. Your vet can tell you whether the wound needs anything applied and, if so, what is safe.
Does every cut need a vet?
Not every tiny surface scrape does, but bites, punctures, deep or gaping cuts, and wounds that keep bleeding do. [1][2] If you are unsure, call your vet and describe the wound.
My cat has a swelling a few days after a fight. What is it?
It may be a bite-wound abscess. A cat’s teeth and claws can carry bacteria deep under the skin, where a pocket of pus can form. [4] Signs include swelling, pain, fever, poor appetite and dullness. [4] See your vet, who may need to drain it. [4][5]
How long should I hold pressure on a bleeding wound?
The AVMA recommends firm, direct pressure for at least 3 minutes before checking. If blood soaks through, add layers instead of removing them, and go to a vet immediately if the bleeding is severe. [1]
Should I let my dog lick its wound?
It is better to prevent it. Licking and chewing can irritate the wound and reopen it. Ask your vet about a cone or a protective covering.
The bottom line
For a minor wound, keep yourself safe, stop the bleeding with firm pressure, rinse gently with saline or clean water, cover lightly and stop the licking. Skip hydrogen peroxide and human medicines. Treat every bite and puncture as a vet visit, especially in cats, where small bites can become abscesses within days.
See your vet whenever a wound is deep, bleeding heavily, caused by a bite, showing signs of infection, or you are not sure.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet’s health. If you think your pet has a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away.
Sources
- American Veterinary Medical Association. Pet First Aid: Brought to you by your veterinarian (client brochure). https://ebusiness.avma.org/files/productdownloads/LR_COM_ClientBroch_FirstAid_010816.pdf ; see also https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners
- Danieli D, Amadori M, Crimi S, et al. Antimicrobial Resistant Isolates in Surgical and Bite Wounds in Dogs and Cats: A 12-Year Retrospective Analysis. Animals. 2026;16(3):501 (CC BY 4.0). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12896800/
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Get the Facts about Pain Relievers for Pets. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-about-pain-relievers-pets
- Torres SMF. 1.2 Feline Pyodermas. Small and Large Animal Dermatology Handbook, Vol. 1. University of Minnesota, 2025 (CC BY 4.0). https://open.lib.umn.edu/animaldermatology/chapter/feline-pyodermas/
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feline Skin Diseases. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-skin-diseases