Introduction
We’ve all been there – you’re trimming your dog’s nails and snip just a little too close to the quick. Suddenly there’s blood everywhere and your poor pup is yelping in pain. Cutting your dog’s nails too short can be scary, but it’s important not to panic. Most of the time, a nicked nail will stop bleeding on its own and heal without issue. However, it’s good to be prepared just in case the bleeding persists or your dog seems in distress. This guide will cover everything you need to know about treating and preventing cut nails, from proper first aid to knowing when a vet visit is warranted.
Let’s start with some tips for a stress-free nail trim, so you can avoid nicked nails in the first place. With the right technique and regular maintenance, you can keep your dog’s nails neat and tidy without going too far. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to those precious paws!
What Happens When You Cut a Dog’s Nail Too Short
A dog’s nail consists of the nail body and the quick underneath. The nail body is the hard outer part of the nail that extends past the furthest tip of the toe. The quick contains blood vessels and nerves and extends partway into the nail body (https://luckytail.com/blogs/pet/dog-toenail-anatomy).
When you trim your dog’s nails, you need to avoid cutting into the quick, otherwise it will bleed and be painful for your dog. The quick recedes deeper into the nail as it grows longer, so you can safely cut longer nails further back. However, when nails get overgrown, the quick elongates and extends further into the nail body. This means if you cut an overgrown nail too short, you are more likely to hit the quick (https://toegrips.com/dog-toenail-anatomy/).
Cutting into the quick causes bleeding and exposed nerves, which is extremely painful for dogs. Your dog may cry, lick at the paw, or try to bite you. It’s important to stop the bleeding and comfort your dog if this happens.
Signs Your Dog’s Nail is Bleeding
There are a few signs that indicate your dog’s nail may be bleeding after it was cut too short:
- You see red blood dripping or oozing from the nail.
- Your dog is excessively licking the nail or paw.
- There is redness around the nail or on the paw pad.
- Your dog seems painful and is limping or holding the paw up.
- You notice bloody paw prints around the house.
- Your dog seems agitated, whining, or crying.
According to this WagWalking article, the most obvious sign is visible red blood dripping from the nail. Your dog may try to lick or chew the nail to relieve discomfort. Excessive licking can cause more bleeding. If the nail is bleeding significantly, you may see bloody paw prints around the house as your dog walks. Your dog may also act painful, agitated, or limp while walking if the nail is injured and bleeding.
First Aid for Bleeding Nail
If your dog’s nail is bleeding after being cut too short, it’s important to act quickly to stop the bleeding. Here are some tips for providing first aid:
Apply pressure – Wrap the paw in a towel or gauze and apply firm, direct pressure to the tip of the nail for 5-10 minutes. This will help stop the bleeding.
Use styptic powder – Styptic powder, like Kwik Stop Styptic Powder, helps constrict blood vessels and clot blood. Apply it directly to the nail tip using the applicator. The powder may sting briefly.
Bandage the nail – Once bleeding has slowed or stopped, wrap the nail in a light bandage or tape. Make sure bandages are not too tight. This protects the nail while it fully clots.
Be calm and comforting as you provide first aid to reduce your dog’s stress. Most minor nail bleeding can be stopped with simple at-home treatment. However, if the nail continues to bleed heavily, take your dog to the vet right away.
Sources: https://thevillagevets.com/blog/dog-nail-bleeding/, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-broken-nails-in-dogs
When a Vet Visit is Needed
Though most nail bleeding from a quick cut will stop on its own, a vet visit is warranted in certain situations. You should take your dog to the vet if the nail continues to bleed excessively for more than 10-15 minutes despite applying styptic powder or another clotting agent.
According to MedVet (https://www.medvet.com/what-to-dog-if-your-dog-breaks-or-tears-a-nail/), extensive nail bed trauma or injury may require antibiotics to prevent infection. Prolonged, heavy bleeding can also indicate the nail bed needs veterinary attention and possible cauterization to stop blood flow.
Your vet should also be seen right away if your dog is limping, showing signs of pain when the paw is touched, or seems very distressed after a nail is cut too short. These can be symptoms of a more serious injury to the nail bed or toe.
Though most quicked nails will heal without incident, it is always better to err on the side of caution. If the nail bleeds persistently, appears damaged, or your dog seems in pain, do not hesitate to visit your veterinarian to assess and treat the injury.
What the Vet Will Do
If the bleeding does not stop after using first aid at home, it’s time to take your dog to the vet. Vets have additional tools and medications to treat a bleeding nail and make sure it heals properly.
The first thing the vet will do is stop the bleeding. They may use a cauterizing agent or wrap the nail tightly to put pressure on it and stop the blood flow (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-broken-nails-in-dogs). If the nail is cracked or the bone is exposed, the vet may need to trim or remove part of the nail.
Next, the vet will clean the injured nail to prevent infection. They may prescribe antibiotics or antiseptic ointment. An antibiotic is especially important if the nail was broken down to the quick or if there is debris caught in it (https://wahlusa.com/expert-advice/grooming-pets/how-treat-dog-nail-bleeding-during-trimming).
The vet will wrap and bandage the nail to protect it while it heals. This keeps the nail immobilized and applies continued pressure. It also prevents your dog from licking or chewing at the injured paw.
Finally, the vet may prescribe pain medication or sedatives to keep your dog comfortable until the nail starts to heal. This depends on the severity of the injury.
Aftercare at Home
After your vet visit for a bleeding nail, there are some things you can do at home to help care for your dog’s injured nail:
Keep the bandage clean and dry. Don’t let your dog lick or chew at the bandage. Replace it if it gets dirty or wet. Follow your vet’s instructions on bandage changes.
Give your dog any prescribed pain medications as directed by your vet. This will help keep them comfortable during healing.
Limit activity and exercise while the nail is healing. Don’t let your dog run, jump, or play roughly, as this can disturb the injury. Keep walks short and calm.
You may want to use a cone collar to prevent licking and chewing at the bandage. Your vet can provide one if needed.
Follow up with your vet within a few days to ensure proper healing. Your vet will advise when the bandage can be removed and normal activity can resume.
Proper at-home care will help your dog recover quickly after a nail injury requiring veterinary attention.
Preventing Future Nail Bleeding
There are some tips you can follow to help prevent your dog’s nails from bleeding when you trim them in the future:
Use a nail trimmer designed for dogs instead of scissors. Nail trimmers allow you to see the nail better and trim just a small amount at a time, reducing the risk of cutting into the quick.
Trim only a small amount of nail at a time. Taking off just a millimeter or two, then checking to see if you are close to the quick, is safer than trying to trim off a large section.
Take breaks during trimming and do a few nails at a time. This gives you and your dog a chance to reset.
Use cornstarch or styptic powder on hand. Having a clotting agent ready allows you to quickly stop any unanticipated bleeding.
Try filing nails first, then trim. Filing dulls the nail ends and makes the quick recede slightly.
Ask your veterinarian or groomer for pointers. They can demonstrate proper technique and angle for your dog’s nails.
With patience and practice, nail trims can become stress-free for both you and your dog. Slow, careful clipping is key to avoiding those dreaded bleeding nails.
When to Trim Nails
The ideal nail length for a dog varies based on their breed and activity level. Generally speaking, a dog’s nails should not touch the ground when they are standing. According to PetMD, a good rule of thumb is that you should be able to slide a piece of paper or a nail file under the nail without resistance. If the nail clicks on a hard floor, it’s likely too long.
For active dogs that get daily exercise on harder surfaces like pavement or concrete, their nails may naturally wear down enough to not require frequent trimming. These dogs may only need nail trims every 4-6 weeks. However, dogs that primarily walk on grass or soft surfaces will need more frequent nail trims, such as every 2-4 weeks. This helps prevent their nails from becoming overgrown.
Some breeds are prone to faster nail growth, such as Dobermans and Great Danes. These breeds may need nail trims every 2-3 weeks. Smaller breeds like Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers also often need more frequent trims. Puppies under a year old may need trims every 1-2 weeks as their nails grow more quickly while young.
Ideally, inspect your dog’s nails weekly. If you hear nails clicking on the floor or they are touching the ground when standing, it’s time for a trim. Trimming before nails get overgrown prevents problems. Regular nail maintenance enhances your dog’s comfort and prevents issues.
Conclusion
Cutting a dog’s nail too short can happen accidentally, but is usually avoidable. Signs of a nail cut too short include bleeding, limping, and licking or chewing at the paw. Apply direct pressure with a clean towel or styptic powder to stop bleeding. See the vet if bleeding persists for over 5-10 minutes, the nail is partially detached, or you notice signs of infection. Otherwise, keep the area clean and monitor for normal healing over the next few days. Prevent bleeding by trimming nails carefully, just a little at a time. With proper care and some first aid, minor nail cuts usually heal well at home.
Accidents happen, so don’t beat yourself up if you trim too much off. Just remember to schedule regular nail trims with your vet or groomer to keep your dog’s nails at a safe length. Stay alert for any signs of bleeding or discomfort afterwards. With some TLC and caution, you can help keep your dog happy and healthy.