What is the quick in dog nails?
The “quick” refers to the soft tissue inside a dog’s nail that contains nerves and blood vessels (1). It is the living part of the nail. The quick extends from the cuticle on the bottom of the nail up towards the tip but ends before the hard outer nail surface. So it is partially encased inside the nail.
The main purpose of the quick is to supply nutrients and oxygen to the nail bed via blood circulation, allowing the nail to grow. The nerves in the quick also provide sensation to the nail. This allows dogs to feel pain if the quick is hit or cut, which helps protect it from damage. So the quick plays an important role in nail growth and health.
On white or light nails, the quick can be seen as a pinkish area inside the nail. But on dark-colored nails it is harder to see where the quick ends (2). Knowing approximately where it ends based on the nail’s curve is important when trimming, to avoid nicking it.
(1) https://www.fourpaws.com/pets-101/grooming-gateway/how-to-find-your-dogs-nail-quick
(2) https://vhavets.com/blog/dog-nail-quick/
What happens when you cut the quick?
Cutting the quick while trimming your dog’s nails can be alarming. The quick contains nerves and blood vessels, so cutting into it will cause bleeding and pain for your dog.
When the quick is cut, blood will start oozing from the nail. Your dog will likely yelp or whine from the sudden pain. The paw may be sensitive for a little while afterwards. Your dog might try to lick or chew on the injured nail.
It’s important to stop the bleeding right away to prevent infection. Apply pressure with a clean cloth or use styptic powder. In most cases, the bleeding will stop within 5-10 minutes with proper care. The pain typically subsides within an hour.
If the cut is deep, the quick may take a few days to fully heal and scab over. Clean the nail daily and monitor for signs of infection like swelling, redness, or oozing pus. See the veterinarian if you have any concerns about infection setting in. Otherwise, the nail should regrow normally over time as the quick recedes.
Does the quick grow back?
Yes, the dog’s nail quick can grow back after it is cut or exposed. According to research, the quick will usually grow back completely within 1-6 months after being trimmed. The exact rate of regrowth depends on several factors.
The quick is the living tissue inside the nail that supplies blood and nutrients. When you cut into the quick, it may bleed and cause pain. But this living tissue can regenerate and grow back over time as long as the nail bed remains healthy.
The speed of quick regrowth depends on the age and health of the dog. Younger, healthy dogs typically regrow the quick faster than older dogs. Small dogs also tend to regrow quicker than large breeds. Proper nutrition can help support quick regeneration.
Trimming the nails regularly, every 2-4 weeks, can help train the quick to recede as the nail is worn down. Leaving nails untrimmed allows the quick and nail to continue growing. So regular trims are key for controlling quick growth.
With proper care and frequent trims, the quick can regrow completely after being cut or exposed during nail trims. Knowing the factors that affect regrowth can help owners keep their dog’s nails healthy.
Trimming nails safely
When trimming your dog’s nails, it’s important to avoid hitting the quick, which is the blood vessel inside the nail. Cutting into the quick will cause bleeding and pain for your dog. Here are some tips for safely trimming your dog’s nails:
Aim to cut off just the hooked, sharp tip of the nail. As a general rule, you can trim off about 1/3 of the total nail length. Cutting any shorter risks hitting the quick. Be extra cautious with dark nails as the quick is harder to see. According to experts, a good guideline is to trim every 2-4 weeks for average dogs.
Use nail clippers designed specifically for dogs. Human nail clippers can split or crush the nail. Position your clipper so it cuts the nail straight across to avoid splintering. Place your finger behind the clipper to avoid cutting too short. Go slowly and only take off small amounts at a time.
If your dog has light nails, look for the pink quick inside and avoid that area. You should be able to see where the nail starts to curve inward – this is where the quick ends. Focus on only cutting the sharp tip. Go slowly until you can recognize where the quick is.
Make sure your dog is calm and comfortable during the process. Praise and reward with treats for cooperating. Introduce nail trims early on as puppies so they get used to the routine. Be patient, go slowly, and stop if your dog gets anxious.
Caring for a bleeding quick
When you accidentally cut your dog’s quick, the most important step is to stop the bleeding. Apply direct pressure to the nail with a clean towel or tissue. Hold for 2-5 minutes while maintaining steady pressure. The blood should eventually clot and stop flowing. If it continues bleeding, you may need to use a styptic powder or cauterizing agent.
Once bleeding stops, clean the nail and trim away any ragged edges with sterilized clippers or scissors to help prevent infection. Disinfect the area with an antiseptic like betadine or chlorhexidine. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide as this can damage healthy tissue.
You may give your dog an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen if recommended by your vet. This will relieve any pain or discomfort. Limit activity and walking on the paw for a few hours to allow the nail time to start healing.
If bleeding persists for more than 5-10 minutes, is heavily gushing, or spurts with heartbeat, seek veterinary care immediately. Prolonged bleeding can lead to blood loss complications. Vets can cauterize blood vessels or use clotting agents to stop bleeding.
Sources:
https://wahlusa.com/expert-advice/grooming-pets/how-treat-dog-nail-bleeding-during-trimming
https://toegrips.com/how-to-stop-a-dogs-nail-from-bleeding/
When to see a vet
If your dog’s nail is bleeding profusely or the bleeding does not stop after 15-30 minutes of applying pressure, you should take your dog to the vet immediately. Prolonged bleeding can lead to blood loss and potential infection if left untreated.
Signs that the nail may be infected include swelling, redness, odor, and discharge around the nail. An infection requires antibiotics prescribed by a vet to clear it up.
You should also see a vet if the nail is partially detached or hanging on by a thread. Leaving it in this condition can cause ongoing pain and damage to the nail bed. The vet may decide to completely remove the nail or cauterize the area.
Other complications that warrant a vet visit include your dog excessively licking the nail, loss of appetite, lethargy or other signs of discomfort. The vet can provide pain medication if needed and check for any underlying issues.
Taking your dog to the vet promptly when a nail is damaged can prevent minor issues from becoming major ones. The vet has the proper training and tools to stop bleeding, treat infection, and aid the nail’s healing process. See sources: https://www.medvet.com/what-to-dog-if-your-dog-breaks-or-tears-a-nail/, https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/first-aid-broken-nails-dogs
Quick-stop Products
If you accidentally cut the quick and your dog’s nail begins bleeding, there are products called quick-stop powders and gels that can help stop the bleeding quickly. These products contain ingredients like potassium ferrate or silver nitrate which help cauterize the wound and stop the bleeding.
Two popular options for dogs are Kwik Stop Styptic Powder and Kwik Stop Styptic Gel. Kwik Stop contains benzocaine and silver nitrate to numb pain and stop bleeding by cauterizing blood vessels (Source).
When using these products, it’s important to follow the directions closely and carefully apply only to the cut nail. Avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth, and skin. Only a small amount is needed. Apply gentle pressure to the nail for a few minutes after application. Contact your vet if bleeding doesn’t stop or if you have any concerns.
Trimming tips for dark nails
Trimming dark or black dog nails can be intimidating because you can’t see the quick inside the nail. However, there are some tips to make trimming dark nails safer:
Shine a flashlight or bright lamp through the nail to better see the quick inside. The quick will appear pinkish or slightly redder, while the rest of the nail will look more translucent.
Feel gently inside the nail with the clippers to sense where the soft quick is before clipping. The hard nail should have a different texture from the softer quick tissue.
Cut only a small amount of the nail tip at a time until you start to see a black dot appear, indicating you are getting close to the quick. It’s better to trim a little bit frequently than to cut too much at once.
Use nail clippers specifically designed for dark nails that have a sensor to detect the quick’s blood supply.
Introduce nail trimming slowly and reward your dog with treats so they don’t fear having their dark nails cut. Go slowly and don’t clip too low until you can identify where the quick is.
If you cut the quick accidentally, use styptic powder and apply pressure to stop bleeding. It should heal within several days if cared for properly.
Getting a veterinarian or groomer to demonstrate on your dog’s dark nails first can also help you learn where the quick is and how short you can safely cut.
Source: https://www.rover.com/blog/how-to-trim-your-dogs-black-nails-safely/
Cauterizing exposed quick
Cauterization involves burning the tip of the nail where the quick was exposed to seal the cut area with heat. A hot tool, chemical agent, or other heat source is applied to the end of the nail for a few seconds to quickly stop the bleeding and seal the nail.
Cauterization may be needed if the nail quick was cut too short and excessive bleeding occurs that is not easily stopped with styptic powder or other home remedies. According to veterinarians, cauterization should only be used as a last resort when other methods have failed to stop the bleeding after 5-10 minutes of pressure being applied [1]. The heat kills the live tissue and blood vessels at the tip of the nail to close off the area.
Vets typically perform cauterization under a local anesthetic to numb the area first. At home, owners may try cauterizing using silver nitrate sticks or a specialized cauterizing product made for pets. However, it’s extremely important to research the proper technique and quickly contact your vet if bleeding persists or if signs of infection occur afterwards. Cauterization is painful for dogs and should not be performed repeatedly or routinely.
Preventing future quick cuts
The best way to prevent accidentally cutting the quick in the future is by trimming your dog’s nails regularly every 3-4 weeks to keep the quick short (source). This allows you to safely clip the nail without going near the quick. Regular trims also get your dog used to the process and make them more cooperative during future trims.
You can use either a nail clipper or an electric nail grinder for regular trims. Nail grinders gently file down the nail and avoid the risk of cutting the quick altogether (source). However, introductions should be gradual, as the vibration and noise can scare some dogs at first.
If your dog dislikes nail trims, take it slow and make it a positive experience with praise and treats for small steps. Teach them to accept handling of their paws and work up to brief nail grinding or clipping sessions. With regular handling and trims, most dogs will become more comfortable with the process over time.