Can You Use Peroxide on Your Dog?
Hydrogen peroxide, also commonly known as peroxide, is a common household chemical. It is used for various purposes such as a disinfectant and a bleaching agent. Many people also use it as a quick relief for various skin conditions on dogs.
But is hydrogen peroxide truly the magical substance that people imagine it to be? Does it really help to treat wounds on your dog’s skin? Is it even safe for your pet? Here is all you need to know about the controversial substance and whether or not it is safe to use it on your dog.
Common Uses of Peroxide
1. Cleaning Infections
Peroxide is commonly used to clean infections on a dog’s skin. Applying the substance on a wound results in some frothing, which many people take to mean that peroxide is really working its magic.
No one disputes that peroxide has some strong anti- bacterial properties. However, the chemical is so strong that it also actually destroys even the healthy cells that are around the infected area. These cells, which are known as fibroblasts, are the very cells that enable the healing of the wound. Destroying them therefore slows down the natural healing process a great deal.
Additionally, once the peroxide is done killing bacteria, some water is usually left behind as a result of the chemical reaction. This creates a dump environment in which bacteria can fester and thrive.
Therefore, unless you can completely dry out an area after using hydrogen peroxide, you will simply not be helping your dog. The very bacteria you set out to kill will find a great habitat near the wound once the reaction is complete.
2. To Induce Vomiting
If your dog happens to consume some toxic substance, it can cause you to panic. In such moments it is easy to reach for some peroxide as it is well known to induce vomiting in dogs.
However, this is not always a smart thing to do. If the toxin in question is corrosive, refrain from using peroxide by all means. For other toxic substances, you should use peroxide in highly diluted concentrations and then take the dog to the vet as soon as possible.
What Can You Use?
So, since peroxide is generally not safe for your dog, what can you use in case it gets an infection? You should try using saline animal wound sprays as disinfectants. One of the very best wound sprays is Vet Aid’s Animal Wound Spray. The spray can be used for a myriad of functions ranging from treating moist dermatitis, infections, hot spots and even declawing. The spray is hypoallergenic and also has no fragrance. Better still, it contains natural enzymes that speed up the healing process. The spray also has PH balance which ensures that it will not cause your pet any irritation.
Conclusion
So, can you use peroxide on my dog? The answer is yes, but it is not the best solution. It may not pose immediate danger to your dog, but it slows down the healing process terribly. Rather than put your dog through such torture, why not try Vet Aid’s Animal Wound Spray. You will certainly not regret it.
