Did you take your dog for a pleasant grooming session but it ended in your dog getting a clipper burn? I can imagine how discomforting it can be for the dogs. I have had a similar situation with my dog, Jerry. So, if you all are wondering How To Treat Clipper Burn On Dog, this is the perfect article for you!
In this article, you will know:
- How To Treat Clipper Burn On Dog?
- Home Remedies for Clipper Burn
- What does Clipper Burn look like and its causes?
- And more…
How To Treat Clipper Burn On A Dog?
Bathe your dog with an oatmeal-based shampoo, dry them, and then finally apply some antiseptic cream like Sudocrem or soothing oils like coconut oil or aloe vera to the affected area. However, if they are oozing blood or fluid, you should consult your veterinarian.
Clipper burns are red spots on your dog’s skin, caused by the grooming tools. You will find these burns on sensitive parts of the dog’s body like the stomach. Although recurrent, these clipper burns can make your furry-friend uneasy.
But, there is nothing to worry about. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to treat clipper burn on a dog:
Step 1: Inspect your dog’s skin
The first thing after grooming your dog is to look for signs of clipper burns. Usually, the signs start developing after a few hours. If you have noticed them after a few days, they are most likely more painful by now.
If you spot red or pink spots on your dog’s stomach, groin, or shoulders, it is a clipper burn. This will be accompanied by itching mostly.
Now, look closely at the clipper burn. If their burn is open, has a fluid discharge, pus, or blood, take it to the vet as soon as possible.
Treating open clipper burns at home can do more damage than good. So, refrain from following remedies available at home.
However, if they are closed with no discharge at all, you can treat them at home. So, follow the next steps to see what you can do.
Step 2: Keep the affected area clean and dry
If the burns have not spread to other areas, take your dog to the bathroom and bath them with a good quality shampoo.
Paws and Pals Oatmeal Shampoo is my pick. It is one of the best shampoos for your dog’s skin allergies and shedding.
After bathing your dog, the next step is to dry them properly. Pat dry their skin with a soft towel. You can also use a blow-dryer with a cool setting. Do not use it in the heat mode as it can cause more trouble to your dog.
Make sure their skin is completely dry before moving on to the next step.
Also Read: Can You Use Baby Shampoo on Dogs?
Step 3: Use soothing products
Once you have cleaned the dog, it is time to apply some soothing products to its skin to prevent itching and further infection. Here are a few products you can try out:
Apply coconut oil to the affected area:
Apply a thin layer of coconut oil on the dog’s affected area twice daily to heal the clipper burn.
Also Read: Coconut oil for dog razor burn? Is It Effective? +7 Benefits & Tips
Gently rub a vitamin E capsule on the burn
Make a hole in the Vitamin-E capsule and rub it on the dog’s skin slowly once a day to heal the clipper burn.
Try natural remedies such as aloe vera
You can apply aloe vera once a day on the clipper burns. Do not apply aloe vera directly from the leaf as your dog can lick it. It is harmful to dogs to ingest it. Instead, use aloe-vera blends.
Use a steroid cream or ointment
Apply on your dog a steroid cream or ointment available at stores at least once a day until the burn heals completely.
Try pH balancing moisturizing creams
Vetericyn Antimicrobial Hydrogel balances the pH of the skin and moisturizes it. It is good for itch and irritation and prevents future flare-ups. Apply it to your dog’s affected areas until burns are healed. You can also try products with hypochlorous acid.
Creams and Gels specifically designed to treat clipper burns
One of the creams is Neosporin. It is effective for small uninfected clipper burns in dogs. According to the American Kernel Club, one should use Neosporin after a patch test on the skin of your dog as it can cause allergic reactions in some dogs.
2 Home Remedies For Dog Clipper Burn
If you want to try some home-based remedies for clipper burn on your dog, you are at the right place! Here are a few things available at your home that you can use to treat razor burns on dogs:
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory agent that helps both humans and dogs. It is known for treating pain and swelling, easing the discomfort of your canine friends.
Create a paste by adding one-fourth cup turmeric and half a cup of water in a bowl. Put it on flame and allow it to mix properly. Once done, take it off the heat and let it cool and thicken.
After that, apply it to your dog’s wounds once a day to heal them quickly.
Take a look at this video I found online to make this paste.
2. Oatmeal
According to Dr. Laci Schaible, DVM, oatmeal baths can soothe your dog’s itchy skin. For that, you can prepare an oatmeal bath at home using basic ingredients.
According to her, take the required amount of unflavored oatmeal and blend it in a food processor or grinder till it becomes fine. Then take a small amount and add it to warm water.
If the oatmeals absorb the water and turn into a milky paste, you are good to go. If it does not happen, the oatmeal is not fine enough. So, again blend it till it becomes super fine!
Once done, add the oatmeal and warm water in a tub and put your dog in it. Gently rub it on the affected areas.
What Does Clipper Burn Look Like On A Dog?
Clipper burn presents as red marks or lines on a dog’s skin. It is generally visible a few hours after grooming your dog, typically in sensitive areas, such as the stomach, groin or bum area. Clipper burn is usually due to dull or hot blades and you can use soothing creams to relieve the pain.
If you see your dog in discomfort or continuously itching or licking a part of its body after its grooming session, it is advisable to check for clipper burns. The clipper burns are skin lesions that are red spots with or without bumps on your dog’s skin.
If you notice any such thing, take all the necessary steps to treat it. Find out the reason for clipper burns so that your pet friend does not have to go through it again!
What Are The Causes Of Clipper Burn On Dogs?
In order to understand the prevention of clipper burns, it is important to know what causes clipper burns in the first place. So, here is a list of five common causes for clipper burns on dogs:
1. Old Clipper Blade
This is one of the most common reasons for clipper burns. Sometimes, the groomer uses a dull blade, which pulls your dog’s fur as the groomer glides through the coat. This leads to skin irritation.
In addition to this, an old and dull blade is hard to use. So, a groomer might push it harder than usual to make it work effectively. This causes burns on the skin of your dog.
2. Clipper got overheated
Clipper burns due to overheating are familiar with large dogs. It is because it takes longer to finish off their skin coat. Generally, groomers switch off the clippers from time to time to let them cool down.
However, if your dog groomer isn’t doing so, then the clipper becomes overheated, comes in contact with your dog’s skin, and burns it causing trouble to your furry friend.
3. Your dog’s hair is heavily matted
Another reason for clipper burns is your dog’s hair is heavily matted. If you have given home to a neglected or stray dog, it is common that they have a very rough coat.
In this case, the groomer has to apply more force to clip the dog’s coat. This can lead to burns on the skin of your dog.
4. Your dog’s skin is sensitive to clippers
Sometimes, it is nobody’s fault. The groomer does the job perfectly but your dog’s skin is just sensitive to it. Many dogs face skin allergies that can cause clipper burns.
So, if your dog has a history of inflammation of the skin, you must tell the groomer well in advance about its skin condition.
5. Clipping too close to the dog’s skin
Sometimes, you might have to clean-shave your dog. If clipper burns develop after it, it is because the clipping was done too close to the dog’s skin. The heat from the clipper causes skin burns in this case.
Therefore, it is recommended to shave your dog clean only when it is necessary, like if your dog has surgery scheduled with the vet.
How Long Does Clipper Burn Last On A Dog?
There isn’t an exact timeline for healing for clipper burns. Sometimes, the symptoms last one night, in other cases, they might even take a week. In short, a clipper burn can last from a few days to weeks depending upon its extent.
But always remember one thing, if the irritation or itching worsens, you should immediately consult your veterinarian and follow their advice.
How Can You Prevent Clipper Burns On Dogs?
Now that you are aware of the causes, it is time for you to know how to prevent these things from occurring. So, look below at the 5 ways to prevent clipper burns on dogs:
1. Communicate with Groomer
According to the American Kennel Club, it is worth grooming your dog professionally as they have the right tools and can handle the dog well.
So, if your dog has suffered clipper burns earlier from its grooming session, it is not wise to discontinue professional grooming. Rather, talk to the groomer present there and communicate your concerns to him/her. This will prevent it from occurring again!
2. Proper Home Grooming
In addition to this, if you prefer grooming your dogs at home, use the right clippers for it to prevent skin irritation. The Oneisall Dog Clippers are our recommendation. They are reliable and easy to use.
After every grooming session, it is important to clean your razors thoroughly. At home, make sure to remove all the fur stuck on the razor prior to its other use. Also, change your dog’s clippers from time to time to avoid clipper burns.
Also Read: Best Pet Clippers in 2022
3. Oil your Clipper
You should oil the clipper before using it on the dog’s skin. It isn’t as much of a task as most people think. All you have to do is oil the corners of the blade of the razor or clipper.
This will prevent friction and overheating of the clipper. Also, this makes sure that the flakes of your dog’s fur are not stuck to the blades that lead to immobility.
4. Get to Know your Dog’s Skin
As mentioned earlier, some dogs have sensitive skin that can cause clipper or razor burns even though the razor blade is sharp and clean.
When you go to the vet next time, ask him about your dog’s skin type. The vet is the right person to tell you what to do and what to avoid in the next grooming session.
5. Work Towards Healthy Skin
In addition to all the above-mentioned points, it is important to keep your dog’s skin healthy. How can you maintain the healthy skin of your dog?
Moisturize your dog’s skin regularly to avoid clipper burns. Also, make sure your dog eats a healthy diet and remains clean.
Also Read: 30 Foods Dog Cannot Eat
