Dog nail injuries are among the most common pet injuries, and unfortunately, the situation can be a circular one. Cutting a dog's nail too short will cause bleeding, pain and even limping. As a result of this bad experience, the dog may struggle during nail clippings in the future.
When a dog is struggling during nail trims, this increases the chances that the owner will accidentally cut the dog's nail too short due to a sudden movement during the pedicure; this will reinforce the dog's fear of nail clipping. Ultimately, the dog's fear of nail clipping may cause the pet owner to trim less frequently, leading to long nails that are apt to break during walks or play.
In addition, the live part of the dog's nail — called the quick — extends in length when a dog's nails aren't trimmed regularly. This makes trimming the dog's nails more difficult and it leaves the pet even more prone to nail injuries.
Whether it's due to a nail injury or a nail trimming mishap, many owners panic when they see their dog's nail bleeding. What's worse, a dog nail bleeding can be difficult to control, especially since the dog often reacts by crying, shaking or even biting when the owner tries to apply pressure to the bleeding nail.
Understanding how to control a dog's nail bleeding using styptic powder or home remedies can lead to less discomfort and less fear on the part of the owner. Remember, pets sense a human's mood using vocal cues and body language, so if a dog senses that the owner is nervous or scared, the pet will become frightened as well.
How to Stop Dog Nail Bleeding – Styptic Powder
The best way to stop a dog's nail from bleeding involves the use of styptic powder. Styptic powder can be purchased at pet stores and online; it's used to promote blood clotting in a dog's broken nail or in minor soft tissue injuries.
Styptic powder comes a few different varieties. Most styptic powders have anti-bacterial properties that help prevent infection. Some styptic powders have pain relieving ingredients which can take the edge off the pain.
To use styptic powder to stop a dog's nail from bleeding, dip the dog's nail in the powder and hold the paw off the floor while the powder takes effect. Wait about 15 seconds and check to see if blood is still dripping from the broken or clipped-too-short nail. It may be necessary to re-dip the dog's bleeding nail in the styptic powder several times before the blood flow abates.
It's important to seal the styptic powder jar thoroughly after use, as styptic powder will harden when exposed to moisture and humidity. Pet owners who live in a very humid area may wish to store styptic powder jars inside a sealed plastic sandwich bag.
Home Remedies to Stop a Dog's Nail from Bleeding
If styptic powder is not available, there are a few home remedies that can be used as a substitute to stop bleeding in a dog's broken nail or after a nail clipping accident.
Corn starch and flour can be used as home remedies to stop a dog's nail from bleeding. These home remedies are not as effective as styptic powder and they lack the antibacterial and pain-killing properties, but they can be used in a pinch.
Like styptic powder, corn starch and flour will help stop bleeding in a dog's nail by promoting clotting. They are used in the same way, by dipping the bleeding nail in the powder. Once bleeding has stopped, the dog's paw must be cleaned and — in the case of more serious nail injuries — bandaged.
Nail Clipping Accidents and Dog Nail Injuries – When to Visit the Vet
In many cases when a dog's nail is cut too short, the owner has just barely nicked the tip of the quick. This results in minor discomfort for a day or two, but healing is swift and no significant problems (i.e. limping, infection, etc.) occur.
In other cases, the dog can experience severe pain and a complete inability to bear weight on the affected paw. More often, this occurs in the case of a serious nail clipping mishap or in a dog with a broken nail. It's best to take the pet to the vet if any the following symptoms are observed:
- Limping or inability to walk on the paw
- Swelling in the toes, paw or leg
- There is a vertical crack in the dog's nail
- The nail is broken at the base
- A piece of broken nail is dangling
In some cases, the dog's nail may become infected, as bacteria travels up the quick and into the toe and foot. Symptoms of infection include swelling, tenderness, limping, redness and discharge. In these cases, oral antibiotics are prescribed.
Vertical cracks in the nail often require a "de-shelling" procedure (performed with heavy sedation or under anesthesia), as the crack will continue to travel up the dog's nail as it grows. Pain medication is often prescribed to dogs with more serious nail injuries, which can be quite painful.
Pet owners may be interested to learn more about the different types of pet nail injuries and treatment, along with how to treat a dog's broken nail once the bleeding is brought under control.
Dog owners may also want to learn more about dog nail clippers vs. the Peticure nail trimmer.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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