Quick answer: Most mild pressure sores heal at home with softer bedding, regular position changes, daily cleaning, and a vet-approved barrier ointment. See your vet right away if a sore looks infected, won't close, or your dog seems painful.
What Is a Pressure Sore on a Dog?
A pressure sore, also called a decubitus ulcer or bedsore, forms when a dog's body weight presses a bony area against a hard surface for too long. That constant pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin, and the tissue starts to break down. Pressure sores show up most often on the elbows, hips, and hocks of dogs who spend a lot of time lying down — senior dogs, large breeds, and dogs recovering from surgery or injury are all at higher risk (VCA Animal Hospitals).
What Are the Warning Signs?
Check your dog's pressure points daily if they're less mobile than usual. Signs to watch for include:
- Redness or a darker patch of skin over a bony area
- Hair loss or thinning at the elbow, hip, or hock
- Swelling or a callused, thickened patch
- Open sores, scabbing, or discharge
- Your dog flinching or pulling away when the spot is touched
Catching a sore early, while it's still just redness or a callus, makes home care far more likely to work.
How Do You Treat a Pressure Sore at Home?
1. Upgrade the Bedding
A thin blanket on a hard floor is one of the biggest contributors to pressure sores. Move your dog to an orthopedic or memory foam bed with at least 3-4 inches of supportive padding, and add extra padding directly under bony areas like the hips and elbows.
2. Change Position Every Few Hours
If your dog can't reposition on their own, gently roll or shift them every 2-4 hours so the same spot isn't taking pressure all day. For mobile dogs, encourage short, easy movement throughout the day to keep blood flowing to those areas.
3. Clean and Inspect Daily
Wash the affected area gently with mild soap and warm water, pat it dry, and check for new redness, swelling, or odor. Keeping the area clean and dry is one of the simplest ways to prevent a mild sore from turning into an infection (VCA Animal Hospitals).
4. Use a Vet-Approved Barrier Ointment
A pet-safe barrier cream can protect healing skin and reduce friction. Ask your vet which product is right for your dog's specific sore before applying anything, since some human ointments aren't safe for dogs.
5. Keep Your Dog Comfortable and Occupied
Dogs on restricted activity still need mental stimulation. A safe, easy chew can help keep them settled in their bed instead of pacing or repositioning themselves onto sore spots. We're partial to 100% natural, single-ingredient chews — no rawhide, nothing artificial — because they're gentle enough for a recovering dog and fully digestible. Our guide to single-ingredient chews covers what to look for.
When Should You Call the Vet?
Mild pressure sores — redness, a callus, or minor hair loss — can usually be managed at home. Call your vet if you see any of the following:
- An open wound, oozing, or a foul smell
- The sore is getting bigger instead of healing
- Your dog seems painful, feverish, or lethargic
- No improvement after a few days of home care
Deeper or infected ulcers often need professional wound care, and in some cases antibiotics, so don't wait too long to get a vet's opinion (AVMA).
How Do You Prevent Pressure Sores From Coming Back?
Once a sore has healed, prevention is what keeps it from returning:
- Keep a supportive, well-padded bed in every room your dog spends time in
- Rotate your dog's position regularly if they're resting a lot
- Stay on top of regular exercise appropriate for their condition
- Schedule routine vet checks for senior or less mobile dogs to monitor skin health (AKC)
If your dog is recovering from an injury or surgery and needs safe ways to stay occupied while resting, take a look at our bully sticks safety guide or our breakdown of whether beef trachea chews are a good option for a gentler, low-effort chew.
The Bottom Line
Pressure sores are uncomfortable for your dog, but most mild cases respond well to softer bedding, regular position changes, daily cleaning, and a vet-approved ointment. Keep watching the area, and don't hesitate to call your vet if it isn't improving. A little extra care goes a long way toward keeping your dog comfortable while they heal.
This post was last updated at July 17, 2026 08:49
