Was Your Dog Attacked By Another Dog? What You Should Do

If you have a dog, one of your biggest fears might be seeing your dog get attacked or injured by another dog. This is a scary and worrisome situation for anyone to deal with. If you are worried about your dog or they have recently been attacked by another dog, it is important to know what you can and should do after the fact to handle the situation. Get to know some of these steps so you can help your dog as much as possible in the aftermath. 

Be Careful Comforting Your Dog

In the moments after your dog has been attacked, your first instinct will likely be to hug and comfort them. However, you need to be careful doing so. Your dog will be full of adrenaline and will be on edge, not to mention they might be hurt.

Their natural instinct will be to defend themselves. And dogs defend themselves by biting. So, proceed with caution when you are trying to comfort your dog immediately after the attack. Approach them slowly and make sure they know that it is you by approaching them from the front. This will allow them to see who you are and to react appropriately. 

Talk to the Owner If They Are Present

If the attacking dog's owner is present, you will want to talk to them once your dogs are separated. Get contact information and information about the dog if possible. Find out if their dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and the like. 

Again, this is only if possible. If the owner is not present or cooperative, just skip this step and focus all of your attention on your dog. 

Take Them to the Vet

Even if your dog only has a minor injury from the incident, it is important to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible after the attack. Bites and scratches from the other dog need to be cleaned and disinfected. Dogs mouths are quite dirty and full of bacteria. 

Infections can easily set in if the wounds are not properly dealt with and cleaned soon after the attack. It can also be difficult for you to properly assess the severity of the wound in the moment. Your dog may have more wounds than you noticed or may have sprained or strained their limbs or back while trying to fight off the attack. A full assessment with your veterinarian will help to ensure your dog gets all the care they need after the attack. 

Now that you know some of the steps to take after your dog has been attacked by another dog, you can be sure you are ready to handle the situation if or when it arises. 


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