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Is Neosporin Safe for Dogs?

No, you should not use Neosporin on your dog’s wounds.

by Dr. Bartley Harrison, DVM
June 29, 2023
Side view of cheerful male owner smiling and caressing cute dogs on soft bed in cozy bedroom at home.
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No, Neosporin is not an appropriate medication for cleaning your dog’s wounds. Your dog might lick the Neosporin off, leading to loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Neosporin for Dogs

What is Neosporin?

Neosporin is the trade name of a petrolatum-based triple antibiotic ointment made for humans. Petrolatum is also known as petroleum jelly, soft paraffin, or white petrolatum. The three antibiotics are bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate, and polymyxin B, which are effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria. Some products contain a local pain killer called pramoxine as well.

Can Neosporin be used on dogs’ wounds?

Use of Neosporin on dog wounds is not recommended. Dogs (and any other pets in the household) tend to lick any product applied to their skin or fur. Constant licking further contaminates the wound and allows the dog to ingest the medication. Applying Neosporin is generally unnecessary because small wounds tend to heal well on their own if kept clean, and larger or deeper wounds require veterinary attention.

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How should I apply Neosporin to my dog?

If your veterinarian recommends using Neosporin or another triple antibiotic ointment on your dog’s wounds, it is applied in a thin layer to clean skin. It is never used in the eyes, ears, or by mouth. It is not intended for deep wounds or lacerations. If the wound is in an area your dog can lick (and they can turn into little acrobats when they really want to lick something), an e-collar will be needed to prevent them from licking. Before applying a new layer, the area should be gently cleaned to remove the previous layer of ointment.

What are the benefits of using Neosporin on dogs?

There are no proven benefits of using Neosporin on wounds in dogs. In humans, Neosporin is used as a first-aid product to help prevent infection of minor scrapes and burns. The formulation promotes wound healing faster than bandaging alone, and it may help minimize the appearance of scars.

When should you seek veterinary care for using Neosporin in dogs?

Can Neosporin be harmful if ingested by dogs?

If ingested by a dog, Neosporin can cause loss of appetite, vomiting, and greasy diarrhea. If your dog ingests a large amount of the ointment, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center for advice.

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What should I do if my dog shows signs of an allergic reaction to Neosporin?

If your dog is showing signs of an allergic reaction to Neosporin, contact your veterinarian or an emergency vet as soon as possible. If you have applied the ointment topically, clean the area well to remove the product. If your dog ingested the ointment, do not induce vomiting unless specifically advised to by your veterinarian. Petroleum products have an increased risk of getting into the lungs, causing pneumonia when vomited.

Are there any potential risks or side effects of using Neosporin on dogs?

Like any drug, Neosporin can cause an allergic reaction in dogs. This can result in localized or generalized redness, itchiness, swelling, or hives. Anaphylactic reactions to triple antibiotic ointments are rare, but can result in vomiting, diarrhea, pale gums, weakness, and collapse.

If ingested, Neosporin can cause GI upset, with symptoms including vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. One of the antibiotics, neomycin, belongs to a class of drugs that can cause ototoxicity, which can result in hearing loss. This is not expected with topical use, but is a risk associated with these types of drugs.

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Are there any alternatives to Neosporin for treating wounds in dogs?

There are many different types of topical products for treating wounds in dogs. They are all best used under the guidance of your vet after they have assessed the wound and determined its severity, stage of healing, risk for infection, and need for sutures or bandaging. For contaminated wounds, some veterinarians will use Manuka honey, antibiotic-infused gauze, silver sulfadiazine, or other topical products beneath bandages to reduce contamination and speed healing of wounds.

Other at-home remedies, such as calendula ointment and tea tree oil have not been proven to be effective in dogs and may be harmful. Tea tree oil can cause serious problems in dogs, including loss of balance, muscle tremors, stiffness, and central nervous system (CNS) depression. Never apply or give something to your dog without consulting your vet’s office first.

While Neosporin is commonly used to help wound healing in people, it’s not very useful for dogs. There’s no evidence that it helps, and dogs are prone to lick it off anyway. If your dog has a small, superficial scrape, just clean it gently with soap and water and watch it to make sure it’s healing well. If your dog has a bigger or deeper wound, see your veterinarian to make sure you give it the best chance to close up without incident.

FAQs:

1) Can Neosporin be used on dogs’ wounds?

Using Neosporin on your dogs’ wounds is not recommended. Small wounds heal well on their own if kept clean, and bigger wounds need veterinary attention.

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2) Are there any potential risks or side effects of using Neosporin on dogs?

Neosporin can cause local irritation and allergic reactions. Dogs also love to lick ointments off their wounds, which can introduce more bacteria into them.

3) Can Neosporin be harmful if ingested by dogs?

Neosporin can cause loss of appetite, vomiting, and greasy diarrhea if ingested. Keep Neosporin and all other medications out of the reach of your dog.

4) Which ointment is best for wound healing for dogs?

Your veterinarian may recommend different ointments to help your dog’s wound healing based on the wound’s age, size, and depth. Ointment is not needed for most wounds.

5) How should I apply Neosporin to my dog?

If your veterinarian recommends Neosporin for your dog’s wound, apply it per their instructions. Make sure your dog is not able to lick the ointment off.

6) What should I do if my dog shows signs of an allergic reaction to Neosporin?

If your dog has an allergic reaction to Neosporin, contact your vet or animal poison control center ASAP. Gently clean off any visible product. Do not induce vomiting.

Citations

Dr. Bartley Harrison holding his dog

Dr. Bartley Harrison, DVM

Dr. Bartley Harrison, DVM is a small animal veterinarian based in North Carolina who has practiced emergency medicine since graduating from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. His primary interest areas include pain management, cardiology, and the treatment of shock.

He is a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, American Veterinary Medical Association, and American Medical Writers Association. In addition to his clinical work, he writes pet health articles to help provide accurate information for both new and experienced pet parents. When he’s not working, he enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, and going on adventures with his dog.


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