Superglue is a common contact adhesive made from cyanoacrylic esters and can be found in toolboxes in many households. When your dog injures its foot, tears its nail, or gets a cut, the first course of action is to close up the wound. But, can you use super glue to close a dog’s wound?
You can use superglue to close a large wound on your dog. Gently clean the wound and pat it dry. Pull the broken skin together and seal the wound using superglue to stop bleeding and prevent infections. Super glue is effective for large cuts on paws and broken nails.
Although this hack works well, it is not a recommended way of closing up a dog’s wound. I would recommend you keep Vetbond Tissue Adhesive in your first aid kits as a great alternative. Some compounds in superglue evaporate easily and can irritate the mucous membranes of the dog.
Can you use superglue to close a dog’s wound?
Technically, you can use super glue to close a dog’s wound to stop bleeding and prevent infections from entering through the cut skin. Use this adhesive only in emergency situations and not as your preferred solution to cover your dog’s wounds.
If your dog has a large cut that’s bleeding, I would recommend that you use Vetbond Tissue adhesive to seal the cut. Some of the compounds in superglue are harmful if inhaled or eaten by your dog, so don’t use this method unless absolutely necessary.
Some chemicals ingredients in super glue may be harmful to your pup if they ingest it. It’s also not recommended as a first-aid solution on large cuts/wounds that need stitches either. Use Super Glue only on minor injuries like nipped claws or small tears/cuts on their paws and nails where there is no risk of infection etc.
Remember – always consult with your veterinarian before doing anything home-related when it comes to pets.
Is super glue safe for cuts on dogs?
Hardware as well as medical super glue contains chemicals that aren’t necessarily toxic but can cause irritation to mucous membranes. Therefore, super glue is safe for dogs but should not be used as the primary first aid option for closing wounds, broken nails, torn paws, and cuts in dogs.
There are other ways in which cyanoacrylate glue is dangerous to dogs. If your dog ingests superglue it may show signs of discomfort including the following:
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Skin irritation
- Inflammation
Worse still, if your dog licks superglue, it can stick on its teeth and cause irritation and gum abrasion. In severe cases, the glue can seal gums shut.
When can you use superglue on dogs?
You can use superglue to seal large cuts on your dog’s paws to stop bleeding and allow the wound to heal. The glue can harden up and form a tough uncomfortable bump, so, be careful not to apply too much. Hold the injured paw long enough for the glue to dry up and prevent the dog from licking it up.
Avoid using super glue to seal minor wounds that can heal on their own. Instead, apply a bandage, a stockinette, or even an old but clean t-shirt to cover the wound and prevent infections.
Other ways to cover a dog’s wound
There are other ways to close a dog’s wound depending on the size and location of the cut.
If you have live sutures at home, use these to close up small cuts in dogs where there is no risk of infection. If your vet doesn’t mind it, ask them for some medical-grade silicone sheeting that can be applied over open wounds to stop bleeding even if stitches are not possible or advisable due to infection concerns.
A thick layer of bacitracin ointment followed by a gauze bandage will keep any minor injuries clean while they heal too.
Here are alternatives to superglue on dogs:
Use Vetbond Tissue Adhesive
To seal a dog’s wound using Vetbond Tissue Adhesive, clean the wound first then unscrew the cap on the bottle the cut the tip off. Apply the adhesive lightly on the cut to seal the wound.
Keep in mind thick applications of this adhesive will crack up and may feel uncomfortable for your pet.
Use medical super glue
To seal a dog’s wound using medical super glue, clean the cut first with very dilute hydrogen peroxide and antiseptic. Apply the adhesive directly on the cut to seal it up quickly before applying bandage or gauze.
Keep in mind that this method is not recommended for deep cuts as you’ll have difficulty getting your pet to hold still while you’re sealing up its skin tissues together.
Use silicone sheeting
Most vets stock some surgical-grade silicone sheeting if they can’t sew stitches into a deep laceration. The sheets will allow oxygen through even underneath a layer of bacitracin/polysporin cream too so it helps prevent infection from entering through the open wounds.
Use a bandage on the wound
To seal a dog’s wound using a bandage, clean the cut then apply antiseptic on it. Wrap up the injury with an adhesive strip or even just an old but clean t-shirt to hold down in place while your pet heals without having to worry about infection entering through open wounds in dogs.
No matter how small or large your pet’s wounds are it’s always best if they can be stitched up by a professional veterinarian in order to avoid infection. If not done properly even minor injuries could lead to serious concerns later on so better safe than sorry.
In conclusion
Superglue should never be used as an alternative to stitching procedures when closing deep gashes in dogs because it’s simply dangerous for both pets and pet owners alike. The chemicals present in super glue are known to irritate the mucous membranes.
If your dog has a deep cut or gash that would require stitches, but you don’t have access to medical-grade equipment for this purpose, call your vet immediately and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.