Why is my dog’s bite wound not healing?
Share This Guide
Read time: 3 minutes
Overview
A dog bite wound that’s not healing may be getting repeatedly irritated, staying dirty, or developing a problem such as infection or trapped tissue underneath the skin. Sometimes the wound looks small on the outside but has a deeper puncture or pocket below the surface, which can slow healing.
It’s sensible to keep a close eye on it, but you usually can’t tell the exact cause just by looking. What you can do is check for changes in size, discharge, smell, heat, swelling and your dog’s comfort level.
Things To Check
1. Check whether the wound is staying open, getting wetter, or scabbing over and then reopening.
2. Look closely for redness, swelling, heat, discharge, a bad smell, or increasing tenderness.
3. See whether your dog is licking, scratching, rubbing, or chewing at the area.
4. Check if the wound is in a place that gets stretched, bumped or dirty during walking, play or resting.
5. Notice whether your dog seems brighter or less settled than usual, especially when the wound is touched.
6. Think about whether the wound is a puncture, tear or crush injury, since these can behave differently from a simple surface graze.
7. Watch for any swelling that seems to be increasing rather than easing.
Common Causes
The most common reason is that the wound keeps being disturbed by licking, movement or dirt, so the skin edges can’t settle properly.
Another common reason is infection. Bite wounds can seal over on the outside while bacteria stay trapped underneath, which may delay healing.
Dead tissue, bruising or a deeper puncture can also make healing slower, even if the surface looks fairly small.
Less commonly, a foreign material or a pocket of fluid under the skin may be affecting how the area closes.
What To Do
Keep the area as clean and dry as you reasonably can, and stop your dog from licking or scratching it if possible.
Check the wound at least once a day so you can spot any change early. If it looks better, note that it’s improving. If it looks worse, that’s useful information to share with your vet.
Try to avoid muddy walks, rough play or anything that keeps reopening the skin until it has settled.
Don’t use human creams or harsh antiseptics unless a vet has told you to, as these can sometimes slow healing or irritate the skin further.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet if the wound is getting bigger, producing discharge, smelling bad, becoming more swollen or painful, or if your dog seems unwell. Bite wounds often need a proper check because the outside can look mild while the deeper tissue is more affected.
If the wound was caused by another dog and you’re unsure how deep it is, it’s also sensible to get advice sooner rather than later.
Products That May Help
For bite wounds, gentle cleaning and good day-to-day hygiene can be useful parts of home care while you’re keeping an eye on how the area changes.
Related Questions
How do I tell if a dog bite wound is infected?
Should I clean my dog’s bite wound at home?
How long should a dog bite wound take to heal?
Atlas is here to support owners with practical, easy-to-understand guidance. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're concerned about your animal's health, symptoms worsen, or something doesn't feel right, contact your vet.