Dog Diaper Rash Cream

If you are buying dog diapers, hygiene and sanitation is probably your main reason. Hygiene and sanitation is also the main key in helping your dogs avoid discomfort from a urine burn or rash from dog urine. When your pet is merely leaking or is still going through their potty training, simple washable belly bands/diapers provide sufficient absorption.

But when your adult dog’s diaper cannot hold in their pee all throughout the day, the characteristics of the dog diaper change significantly and this increases the chances of soreness, rashes and burns. Unfortunately, these can be common for dogs who suffer from incontinence or paralysis, especially.

In this article, we’ll talk about what a diaper urine burn (urine scald) is and what to look for in a dog diaper to prevent it from happening.

“Hygiene and sanitation is also the main key in helping your dogs avoid discomfort from a urine burn.”

Urine burn on dogs (or a urine scald) is a painful rash that your dogs get when their skin gets in contact with their urine over a long period of time. An example on how urine burn on dogs happens is when a senior dog may often times experience urine overflow and this will result in dribbling.

This dribbling will cause the urine to get in contact with the dog’s skin which will eventually cause urine burn. Dog urine burn can look a lot like a babys diaper rash. However, it can also be much more severe and go deeper below the surface of the skin, which is why it needs to be carefully monitored.

Another very common example is when pet owners, who have no kennel, put their dogs away from destroying any furniture when they are not at home. So dogs are kept in pet crates for some time. In this event, dogs are left to sit or lie down on their own dirt and therefore causes dog urine burn (and some other hygiene problems).

A diaper urine burn happens when your furbaby has been wearing a diaper that has been soaked up with urine for a long time. Urine scald usually happens when the diaper being used does not have great absorbency features or if a fully soiled diaper is not changed immediately, resulting in a rash from dog urine.

A dog urine burn can vary in appearances—from a diaper rash to a severe rash with open sores. The severe cases are usually caused by the failure of giving proper treatment when the early signs of urine burn appear. The dogs rash can show around their belly or private areas.

The Dangers of Diaper Rash Cream

First and foremost, diaper rash cream contains ingredients that are harmful to dogs. Common diaper rash ingredients like petroleum jelly and lanolin can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea if your dog ingests them.

Many dogs are also allergic to the ingredients in diaper rash creams. Wrinkly dogs such as English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs are especially prone to allergies. Many common allergens such as lavender, aloe, lanolin, and fragrance can be found in diaper rash creams. Using these products on dogs that are allergic to them can aggravate skin conditions like eczema and cause them to break out in rashes or sores.

Perhaps most importantly, diaper rash cream is simply not designed for use on dogs. The skin of a dog is different than the skin of a human, and thus diaper rash cream may not be effective in soothing and protecting skin irritations in dogs. In fact, using diaper rash cream on your dogs skin could actually make the condition worse.

For these reasons, it is best to avoid using diaper rash cream on your dog altogether.

How to Safely Apply Diaper Rash Cream to Your Dog

Depending on where the rash is, it can be very easy to safely use the cream. If the rash is anywhere on the dog’s shoulders, you can apply the cream without worry. The dog won’t be able to reach the area with their tongue, so there’s minimal risk of ingestion there. Just keep an eye on your dog. The only chance they have to eat the cream is by using their back leg to scratch the cream off, then licking it off their paw.

Next, if the rash is somewhere behind the dog’s shoulder, perhaps on their stomach, rear end, or ribcage, use a dog cone. Although they’re known colloquially as the “cone of shame”, there’s no shame in using these devices. These cones effectively prevent dogs from licking their bodies when you don’t want them to. They’re perfect devices for using rash cream, and there is a 0% chance of ingestion as long as the cone remains on their neck.

Another method you could use if the rash is in this area is to put a shirt or sweater on your dog that covers the rash. While this may seem silly, it’s a great solution to the problem. Apply the cream, then put the shirt on the dog. Once you’ve done that, the dog cannot lick the cream nor further irritate the rash.

Lastly, if the dog’s rash is somewhere on their head, such as their nose, things get tricky. There’s really no way to prevent a dog from licking its nose. So what do you do if there’s a rash on their nose? The best thing to do is use a dog-specific rash cream or use tiny amounts of diaper rash cream on your dog. There are rash creams that are specially formulated for dogs and can be ingested by them harmlessly.

While Zinc Oxide is dangerous to ingest, your dog will be ok if it laps up a light amount. If you have no choice but to use diaper rash lotion on your dog’s nose, just use it very sparingly. However, no matter how light the layer of cream is, the dog will certainly notice, thanks to their incredible sense of smell. In this case, using dog-specific cream is the best option.

Tips to Prevent Diaper Rash:

  • If you must use diapers, ensure that the dog diapers you purchase are softly lined.
  • Go for diapers that can fit your dog’s body perfectly. But they don’t have to be too snug.
  • Make sure the hairs around your dog’s genitals are trimmed. You can get a professional to help you with that if you can’t do it by yourself.
  • Change your pet’s diaper frequently, especially when he has defecated. Doing this will reduce the risk of bacterial infections that can travel up your dog’s urinary tract.
  • Wipe the area around your dog’s genitals with high-quality baby wipes.
  • Before you put on the diaper, dust the area surrounding your pet’s genitals with a hypoallergenic powder.
  • If you notice that the powder does not agree with your dog’s skin, discontinue use immediately.
  • In case your dog already has a diaper rash, apply specially formulated antibiotic ointment for pets to kill infections that are present and soothe the skin.
  • If your dog wears diapers throughout the day and night, ensure to wash his genitals at least three to four times daily.
  • FAQ

    What can I put on my dog for diaper rash?

    You can apply a dog-friendly moisturizer/ointment to soothe the rash from dog urine (but NEVER use a baby diaper rash on your dog for it has zinc oxide which is toxic if ingested). Talk to your veterinarian and seek help.

    Can I use diaper rash cream on my dog?

    Diaper rash creams can also cause harm to our furry friends when ingested. Many of these products contain zinc oxide as an ingredient to soothe and dry the skin of babies, but if a pet were to ingest creams that contain this ingredient, it could cause illness.

    Can I use Desitin cream on my dog?

    Dogs & Cats: Apply once or twice daily as needed. Desitin — Soothing ointment. Dogs & Cats: Rub on affected area.

    How do I treat a rash on my dogs groin?

    If there are no cuts or open sores on the groin, you may also apply non-scented lotion or hydrocortisone cream to the affected area. Do not apply hydrogen peroxide or any other substance that will sting or irritate the skin. In some cases, applying oatmeal on the afflicted area also helps.