Short answer: the Bugalugs antiseptic sprays and drops are based on hypochlorous acid – they do not sting, contain no alcohol or antibiotics and, according to the product descriptions, are safe if licked. They differ in purpose and applicator: wounds, hot spots, itching, paws, flea and tick bites, eyes, ears and mouth, while the styptic powder is for a nail cut too short. This is first aid at home – for a deep wound, severe pain or anything getting worse, see a vet.
What they have in common
The antiseptic products in the range contain hypochlorous acid at 0.015% (150 ppm), dissolved in electrolysed water with a neutral pH. Hypochlorous acid is a substance that the body's white blood cells produce to fight infection. According to the descriptions, the solution kills 99.99% of bacteria, viruses and fungi on contact, without harming healthy tissue and without stinging on an open wound.
What this means in practice:
- No rinsing. Spray and leave to dry.
- Safe if licked. That makes them handy for paws, the muzzle and any spot your pet can reach with its tongue.
- A faint chlorine smell, like a swimming pool, which disappears once dry.
- Light-sensitive. Keep the bottle somewhere cool and dark, or the active ingredient loses strength.
The products are for dogs and cats, and most are also suitable for horses and small animals. For puppies and kittens, the descriptions give use from 8 weeks of age.
Which product for what
| Product | When | How and how often |
|---|---|---|
| Antiseptic Wound & Skin Spray | cuts, grazes, bites, stitches after surgery | directly onto the wound, 3–4 times a day until healed |
| Antiseptic First Aid Spray | all-purpose first-aid spray: minor wounds, insect bites, itching, the area around the eyes and ears | at least twice a day; around the eyes – with a soaked pad |
| Antiseptic Hot Spot Spray | hot spots – moist, red and painful patches | clear the fur, spray 3–4 times a day, no dressing |
| Antiseptic & Itchy Skin Relief Spray | persistent itching, redness, smelly skin folds | 3–4 times a day or whenever the itch starts |
| Antiseptic Nose & Paw Spray | paws after a walk, mild irritation around the nose | onto the pads and between the toes; for the nose – onto a cloth |
| Antiseptic Flea & Tick Bite Relief Spray | flea and tick bites, the spot where a tick was removed | 3–4 times a day; after a tick – for at least 3 days |
| Antiseptic Eye Drops | red and watery eyes, eye discharge, tear stains | twice a day until better, once a day as prevention |
| Antiseptic Ear Drops | smelly ears, ear wax, scratching and head shaking | twice a day until better, once a week as prevention |
| Antiseptic Anti-Bacterial Dental Spray | bad breath, gums, small sores in the mouth | 2–4 sprays on each side, daily |
| Styptic Powder | bleeding from a nail or a superficial scratch | press with the powder for 10–15 seconds |
How to use them, situation by situation
Wounds and scratches
If needed, trim the fur around the wound so the solution can reach the skin. Shake the bottle, spray generously and leave to dry – no wiping needed. The wound spray can also be used on stitches after surgery, but always agree post-operative care with your vet.
Hot spots and itching
A hot spot is a moist, red patch that appears when a dog keeps licking, biting or scratching the same place. It heals faster in the air, so do not cover it. If your pet will not stop licking, the spray's description recommends a protective collar for 24 hours – see recovery suit or cone. The spray soothes the skin, but itching almost always has a cause – allergy, parasites or a skin infection. For that, read why your dog is scratching.
Fleas and ticks
The bite relief spray is not an insecticide and does not kill parasites – it soothes the itch and keeps the spot clean. Use it alongside the regular parasite protection you have chosen with your vet. After removing a tick, spray the spot for at least three days.
Eyes and ears
For the eyes, do not point the bottle at the face from the front: apply from the side or from above while gently lifting the eyelid. Soak dried discharge with a wet pad for a minute first. For the ears, warm the bottle in your hands, drip into the canal, massage the base of the ear for about 30 seconds, let your pet shake and wipe only the visible part. If you suspect a ruptured eardrum, put nothing in the ear before a vet has examined it.
The mouth
The antiseptic dental spray is practically tasteless and unscented, so even pets that dislike mint usually accept it. For the best effect, give no food or water for 15–30 minutes after applying it. If your pet is scared of the spray sound, spray onto gauze and wipe the teeth and gums. The spray does not remove tartar that has already formed – that is a job for the vet.
A nail cut too short
If you trim nails yourself, open the styptic powder and put a few cotton buds next to you before you start – especially with dark nails, where the quick cannot be seen. If it bleeds, press a bud dipped in powder onto the nail for 10–15 seconds or dip the nail tip into the jar. The powder is only for superficial injuries, not deep wounds.
A first-aid kit for home
- an all-purpose antiseptic spray – First Aid or Wound & Skin
- styptic powder and cotton buds
- antiseptic eye drops and ear drops
- a bite relief spray during tick season
- sterile gauze, a bandage and cotton pads
- round-tipped scissors for the fur around a wound
- a tick remover
- a protective collar or recovery suit
- the phone numbers of your vet and the nearest 24-hour clinic
When to see a vet
- a deep, gaping or heavily bleeding wound
- bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes of pressure
- a bite from another animal – puncture wounds are often deeper than they look
- a hot spot that spreads or does not improve within 1–2 days
- a closed or cloudy eye, pus-like discharge, your pet rubbing the eye
- head tilting, pain when the ear is touched, loss of balance
- lethargy, fever or loss of appetite after a tick bite
- swelling in the mouth, bleeding gums or refusing food
An antiseptic cleans the area and keeps it clean, but it does not replace an examination, stitches or treatment prescribed by a vet.
Suitable products
You will find every product in this article in the Pharmacy collection, and the skin sprays also in Care – skin and coat. If you do not have room for the whole set, start with an all-purpose spray, the styptic powder and the eye and ear drops.
Read more: Bugalugs: which range for what and how to clean your dog's ears.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a difference between the individual sprays?
The active ingredient and its concentration are the same – 150 ppm hypochlorous acid. What differs is the applicator and the instructions for the specific area and frequency. If you want just one product for the first-aid kit, the First Aid Spray is the most versatile, while the drops with an applicator are easier for eyes and ears.
Are they suitable for cats?
Yes. According to the descriptions, the products are suitable for dogs and cats from 8 weeks of age. Cats lick off whatever you put on their coat, so a formula that is safe if licked is especially practical for them.
Can the spray be used around the eyes?
The sprays are safe around the eyes, mouth and ears, but do not spray directly into the eye. For the area around the eyes, soak a pad and wipe gently; to rinse the eye itself, use the eye drops.
Does the spray replace a parasite treatment?
No. The bite relief spray does not kill fleas or ticks – it soothes the after-effects of the bite. Choose regular parasite protection with your vet, based on your pet's weight and lifestyle.
