Why pets and wounds need some distance

Pets and wound care hygiene can work in the same home. Most people with a wound can keep a pet nearby as long as the wound, the dressing and the supplies stay out of its reach.

A pet’s mouth, paws, claws and coat carry bacteria that do no harm on healthy skin but can infect an open wound. Pets also shed, track in dirt and litter, and get curious about new smells. Your treating clinician’s instructions come first.

Keep pets away from the wound and dressing

  • No licking. Do not let a pet lick the wound, the dressing or the skin near it.
  • Add a layer. If your clinician says clothing over the dressing is fine, long pants or sleeves put one more barrier between the wound and a paw or nose.
  • Guard tubing. Pets chew. Keep wound VAC tubing, drains and pump hoses out of reach. Our page on wound VAC care at home explains how the sealed dressing and pump work.
  • Skip rough play. Jumping and scratching can tear fragile skin, especially on the shins and forearms of older adults.

Set up a pet-free space for dressing changes and visits

Pick one place for dressing changes and keep animals out of it until the change is finished.

  1. Put the pet in another room or a crate and close the door before you begin.
  2. Wipe down a hard surface and set out supplies on a clean towel or pad.
  3. Wash your hands after you last touch the pet and before you touch any supplies.
  4. Bag the old dressing, tie the bag and put it in a trash can with a lid. Used dressings attract animals.

These steps go around the method your clinician taught you. Our guide to managing wound dressing changes at home covers the routine itself.

Do the same when a clinician visits. Put pets in another room before the visit starts, and tell us about animals in the home when a visit is scheduled. Our guide to getting ready for a home wound care visit lists other ways to prepare.

Store supplies where pets cannot reach

Keep supplies in a closed bin or cabinet, off the floor and away from pet food, litter and pet bedding. Do not use a package that has been chewed, clawed or dampened by an animal, even if the dressing inside looks fine. Call Gateway or your supplier if you need replacements. The guide to storing wound supplies at home has more ideas.

Handle pet chores with care

Litter boxes, cages, aquariums and yard waste carry more germs than the pet does. If someone else can take over these chores while your wound heals, ask them. If not:

  • Wear disposable gloves and wash your hands well afterward
  • Keep a wound on your hand or arm covered and out of aquarium water, litter and cage bedding
  • Do the chore before a dressing change, not just after one

Dogs that pull on the leash and pets that weave between your feet raise the chance of a fall, which matters more when you are in a boot or using a walker. Our guide to fall prevention during wound recovery has practical steps. If diabetes has reduced the feeling in your feet, a scratch or a stepped-on toe can go unnoticed, so keep up the foot checks that are part of diabetes care.

When to call about a lick, scratch or bite

Tell your treating clinician if:

  • A pet licked the open wound or got under the dressing
  • The dressing was pulled off, chewed or soiled by an animal
  • You have a new scratch or bite that broke the skin
  • You see more redness, warmth, swelling, pain, drainage or odor in the days after contact

Bites deserve prompt attention, cat bites especially, because narrow teeth push bacteria deep under the skin. That is even more true for people with diabetes, poor circulation or a weakened immune system. Our pages on the signs of wound infection and on cellulitis and infected wounds describe what to watch for.

Call 911 for bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure, trouble breathing, confusion or fainting.

To ask about arranging wound care at home in Greater St. Louis or the Metro East, send the request care form or call 314-325-0126.

Common questions

Can my dog or cat sleep in my bed while I have a wound?

Ask your treating clinician, because the answer depends on where the wound is and how well it stays covered. If you get the go-ahead, keep the pet on the side away from the wound and check each morning that the dressing is still sealed and clean. A pet that licks or lies on the wounded area needs its own bed for now.

Is it true that a dog licking a wound helps it heal?

No. It is an old belief, but an animal’s mouth holds bacteria that can infect an open wound, and licking also disturbs the dressing and the new tissue. If your dog licks the wound or gets under the dressing, tell your clinician’s office what happened and follow its instructions.

Do I need to find another home for my pet while I heal?

Usually not. Most people manage with a pet-free space for dressing changes, closed storage for supplies, hand washing and help with messy chores. A short stay with family or a friend may be worth considering if the pet cannot be kept away from the wound, or if you cannot look after it safely right now.

Should I tell the wound care team that I have pets?

Yes. It helps the clinician give instructions that fit your home. Mention the kind of animal, where it sleeps and whether it has ever licked or scratched the wounded area. Mention birds, reptiles, fish tanks and farm animals too, since the precautions differ.

Related pages

General information to help you talk with your own clinician. It is not medical advice, and the treating clinician makes every clinical decision. For a medical emergency, call 911.

Updated October 2026