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My dog scratches her face raw. How to stop itching and heal wounds?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 35 lbs

What should I do to heal my dogs self inflicted scratch wounds on her face due to constant itching? I put wound and care spray on the open scratches and have been keeping a close eye on her and encouraging her to sleep so she can heal, but she keeps scratching them open any chance she gets! I don't want her wounds to get infected by her nails or anything else that can cause an infection! She also keeps licking all her feet and biting at both hip areas where there is now some hair loss.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Angel Alvarado, LVT

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on October 15th, 2021

First, place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further scratching. Keep it on her 24/7. You can take it off when she eats or drinks, but monitor her closely so she doesn't start scratching again. Next, have her seen by your veterinarian. The licking, biting, scratching and hair loss may be due to allergies ( https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-allergies ). These can be difficult to diagnose since there are many causes (inhaled, environmental, food, fleas). Discuss allergy testing, food elimination trials and antihistamine use with your veterinarian. The doctor may prescribe medications to treat the wounds and stop the scratching.

https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/food-allergies/
https://www.petcoach.co/article/4-great-strategies-for-relieving-your-dog-s-allergies/
https://www.petcoach.co/article/seasonal-allergies-in-dogs-what-you-need-to-know/
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 22nd, 2017

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Callie!

    Any non-healing wound is best to be evaluated by a Vet. It is ideal to find out why Callie is so itchy, is it fleas, allergies, etc. The first step in getting the area to heal is to stop the scratching, use antibiotics if infected and keep Callie from scratching it. Get an Elizabethan collar (cone) or donut. You can clean the area once to twice daily with warm water and a mild soap and then apply a triple antibiotic ointment twice daily. Keep the cone on until the wound is completely healed. If it heals and you take the cone off and she scratches enough to break open the skin again you need to take her to the Vet.

    I hope this helps and have a great Thanksgiving!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 2nd, 2018

    This does appear to be due to a traumatic injury (bite/scratch), but is not too bad, so it's fine to treat it at home for now. I don't reccomend applying any strong disinfectants to the wound, because this can actually make it worse and delay healing.

    It's best to just flush the wound using a syringe or other dispensing device with warm water for five minutes. This may not be easy, because cats tend to hate water getting near their face. I recommend having someone help you with this and wrapping Wednesday in a towel to make sure the wound gets flushed well. Below is a link to a demonstration of an eye flush that shows how to restrain her well.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDGzdUTUdNI

    Infection is the biggest concern with these wounds; so after flushing, apply an antibacterial cream to the wound. In order to keep the wound clean, you should flush it 1-2 times a day and gently wipe away any big crusts - make sure not to scrub the wound, because this can make it worse. Apply the antibacterial cream after each flushing.

    If the wound starts to swell, gets bigger, or has pus oozing from it, then I'd recommend she go to the vet for treatment. Otherwise, the wound should heal fine over the next 2 weeks of it's a simple scratch.

    I hope that helps and Wednesday gets better soon.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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