What’s a “fur shot” and what you should and shouldn't do

You’ve just experienced what’s affectionately called a “fur shot.”

What’s a fur shot?

A fur shot happens when some (or all) of the insulin doesn’t make it under your dog’s skin. Instead, it ends up on their fur — or possibly just under the top layer of skin — meaning your dog hasn’t received the full dose.

It’s more common than you think, especially if your dog is wiggly, your needle angle is a little off, or their fur gets in the way. Even experienced pet parents get them.

Insulin has a distinct smell

Most people describe insulin’s smell as a mix of band-aids and latex gloves, with a hint of slightly sweet, medicinal alcohol.

It’s not overpowering, but it’s distinctive enough that once you’ve smelled it, you can recognize it instantly — which is why it’s often the telltale sign of a fur shot.

I find it doesn’t wash away quickly. It’s like having a modern-day Lady Macbeth moment in your kitchen, scrubbing the bizarre scent of insulin off your fingers or hands.

How can you tell?

• Wet fur: You might notice a damp patch where you injected.
  
• Insulin smell: Most insulins have a distinct, slightly medicinal odor. If you can smell it right after the injection, some probably leaked out.
  
• Your “gut feeling”: Sometimes you just know the shot didn’t go quite right.
  

The most important thing to know: Don’t give another shot

It can be tempting to try again — but don’t. You can’t know how much insulin actually went in, and giving more could cause a dangerous drop in your dog’s blood sugar, which could lead to a coma or even be fatal.

The safest choice is to skip replacing the dose and simply get back on track with the next scheduled injection. One missed or partial dose is far less risky than accidentally overdosing.

What you could do instead

If they didn’t get the full dose of insulin, their blood glucose levels could go higher than normal.

• Encourage your dog to drink lots of water by adding something yummy to it like some dust from their favorite dry treat or a little bit of zero-sodium broth
  
• Make a note of the fur shot in your dog’s log so you can mention it to your vet if needed.
  
• Watch for signs of higher blood sugar (increased thirst, urination, or lethargy) until the next dose.
  
• Review your injection technique — sometimes adjusting needle length, angle, or the way you lift the skin can help prevent future mishaps.
  

Testing their urine

If you want some peace of mind, you could test their urine for ketones, which can appear when their blood glucose levels are unusually high. We keep a little pack of test strips next to the back door to check his urine when things like this happen.

Think about a bit of fur-scaping

Fur shots happened with Parker when his coat was longer and it was tougher to get the needle close to his skin. We now keep him regularly groomed and prefer to have short fur around the areas we inject. 

Fur shots happen — to everyone

The key is to stay calm, skip the do-over, and keep moving forward with your regular schedule. Your dog’s long-term health depends on steady, safe management — and one missed dose won’t undo all your hard work.