If you apply styptic powder or a styptic pencil to your dog nail, bleeding from a cut quick should stop within two minutes. Corn starch or flour on a Q-tip should also do the trick in a pinch. You may need to see the vet if the blood does not stop within 15 to 20 minutes.
Use a clean cloth to apply gentle pressure to stop the bleeding. This is a good time to bring out the heavy artillery – your dog's favorite treats – to keep them still. If the bleeding doesn't stop after five minutes, apply styptic powder to the exposed quick. Keep your dog as calm as possible.
It can take about 2 to 4 minutes for a dog's nail to stop bleeding, so you may need to hold a cloth there for that long. If it doesn't stop bleeding, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Control bleeding by wrapping the foot in gauze or a towel and applying pressure to the injured toe. If the bleeding does not stop in 5-10 minutes, apply a styptic pencil, silver nitrate stick, or cauterizing powder to the nail.
If you accidentally cut the quick when trimming your dog's nails its best to stay calm and apply a clotting agent like styptic powder or even ice to constrict blood vessels and numb your pup's pain. Positive reinforcement and treats may help your dog overcome any fear or anxiety caused by getting their nail trimmed.
But don't beat yourself up too much for quicking your dog because accidents do happen! Your dog will forgive you, but could be wary the next time you bring out the clippers so it's important to build back up that positive experience.
You can usually walk your dog within an hour after cutting the quick. Provided it was only a small cut, and you stopped the bleeding, there is no reason not to walk your dog.
A cracked or broken nail that is bleeding and very painful for your dog should be treated by a veterinarian. That said, not all broken nails require a trip to the ER — you may be able to care for it at home or, at the very least, wait to see your regular vet in the morning.
Sometimes, you will see a lot of bleeding. Some pet parents actually worry that there is a broken bone, especially when they see the nail sticking out from the foot. Although it's not a life-threatening emergency, you should take your dog to see a vet as soon as possible.
Styptic powder is the most common and efficient way to stop a dog's nail from bleeding. It's what veterinarians and groomers use to treat minor cuts and to stop bleeding. It contains Benzocaine, which works as a topical anesthetic to help ease pain, and ferric subsulfate which helps to stop bleeding.
The bleeding should stop on its own after 5-7 minutes. If it's still bleeding after 7 minutes, you need to call your vet. Keep a styptic pencil or powder in your home so you have it on hand in the event that you cut your pet's quick.
The quick is nerve and it will be painful if it's cut. That's why a dog will pull their paw away if their quick is cut and some will also whine or cry. The amount of pain is based on how much of the quick was cut. The more quick that's cut, the more nerves are damaged.
Generally, dogs start feeling better within 48 hours. Total recovery takes some time, as the nail needs to re-grow so as to completely cover the vulnerable quick. Generally, this takes two weeks, according to Dr. Fiona.
A healthy dog will not bleed to death from a cut toenail—not even close! While it is unfortunate that you've hurt your dog (which none of us wants to do), and while it may be a bit messy, this is not a serious injury. (And, if your house looks like a murder scene, you may need to take my word for this.)
Your dog most likely will let out a small yelp of pain because of the shock and pain of their nail quick being clipped into. The pain and the bleeding will subside. It might look like a lot of blood at first but if you act quickly it will stop soon.
A toenail that breaks near the base will bleed profusely, so apply gentle and steady pressure to the area and immediately take your pet to your family veterinarian. You should also take your pet immediately to the vet if bleeding does not stop or if the toenail remains partially attached.
Wait for the Bleeding to Stop
Ensure the bleeding stops and the wound is clean and protected before taking your dog for a walk. Walking on a bleeding nail can cause further pain and injury.
Treatment of a broken or fractured nail
The most important thing to do straight away is to stop your dog from licking its foot or nail. Dogs and cats have bacteria in their mouth, which can cause an infection if they lick a broken nail.
"It may look like a lot, but the bleeding will eventually stop." Sometimes the nail injury is too painful for pups to even want to lick it, so there might be more blood than you expect. Take a deep breath, then encourage your pup to be calm and comfortable for inspection.
Most broken nails will heal by themselves over 1-2 weeks. However this causes unacceptable discomfort in the meantime. The loose nail is still partly attached to the injured nailbed, and even the slightest movement creates intense pain.
You can feed them before or after a walk, but you have to ensure that the walk or exercise takes place at least one hour before or after the meal is eaten. Any exercise performed within that hour can result in an increased risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus, which is something just not worth risking for your pup.
Just like human nails, dogs do not have any feeling in the nail itself, but the quick contains a nerve that transmits sensations back to the brain. When trimming the nail, it is important to stay far enough from the quick to avoid causing pain or drawing blood.
Not only does cutting a dog's nails too short cause them pain, but leaving them to grow too long can be even more painful. For instance, long nails can cause a dog to lose traction in their paw, making it easier for them to slip and fall, causing additional pain than that from the nail alone.
Cornstarch. Plain cornstarch or cornstarch mixed with baking soda also work. Place a bit of the cornstarch in your hand and dip your dog's nail in it. Apply pressure for several seconds—up to 2 minutes—then check if the bleeding has stopped.