by Aurora Anne Taylor

Created on: August 29, 2010

Seeing your dog undo all that work your vet or you have put into bandaging him up after a injury or surgery is so frustrating!  But the truth is, just as it is human nature for people to want to scratch an itch, or poke a sore tooth with their tongue, it is the nature of a canine to chew their bandages.  Therefore, it is important to prevent this behavior before it occurs. Here are the best ways to keep dogs from chewing their bandages and possibly making the injury worse. 

Elizabethan Collar

Often called a cone collar or a lampshade collar, this device is attached to the dog's regular collar and keeps the animal from reaching the bandaged area to chew.  This tool can be purchased from places such as Petsmart for just a few dollars.  Cones come in various sizes and are made of thin plastic and work quite well.  Care must be taken to ensure that your pet can still reach his food and water though, so you should take your pet to the store if at all possible to try different sizes until you find the right fit.  You can usually purchase these collars from your vet as well, though it will probably cost more. 

These collars do have some disadvantages such as causing your dog to crash into furniture and injure themselves when they bump the collar into a hard surface, so you should supervise your pet and adjust his surroundings accordingly.  Never leave your pet alone, at least when you first apply the device, as he can hurt himself in trying to get it off and learning to get around.  Some stores now sell a more comfortable alternative such as the Bitter Apple

This commercial spray, available at most pet supply stores, may work for some animals.  Most dogs don't like the taste of the liquid and may be deterred from biting their bandages.  Care should be taken to avoid getting the spray in the wound though and should not be sprayed so liberally that it soaks through the bandage.  Unfortunately, some pets will actually like the taste of the spray!

Vet Wrap

This colorful, fabric-like  tape is inexpensive and sticks to itself very well and can be used to cover traditional bandages.  It is most often used for horses and other livestock as it can cover large areas and stays put.  Exercise care not to wrap the bandage too tight, however, as it can cut off the circulation.  Vet wrap often works great with a little Bitter Apple sprayed on top for a double chewing deterrent. 

Tranquilizers

Some times an animal is just too intent upon self mutilation and the only alternative is something to calm him down.  Many pet stores and suppliers sell herbal potions such as Ultra Calm.  This is a biscuit containing natural substances such as Valerian and Chamomile and may be all that is needed to help Fido relax and forget about his wounds for a while.  Some dogs, however, will need a tranquilizer provided by your vet and given for a few days until the wounds bother the dog less.  While it may be disturbing to see your dog all doped up, sometimes it is the kindest and safest thing to do.

Bandage chewing can be a real problem as it can affect your dog's recovery and your wallet when he succeeds in getting rid of those bandages!  Just a few preventative measures though, can help you and your pet get through the healing process with a minimal amount of pain and frustration.

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