If a dog's nail breaks or if the dog's nail is trimmed too close to the quick, bleeding will occur almost instantaneously. Dip the dog's bleeding nail into the styptic powder (Kwik Stop). In the absence of styptic powder, use corn starch. If corn starch is not available, try flour.
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.
A mix of cornstarch and baking soda often works well (or, simply, cornstarch alone), while rubbing a clean bar of scent-free soap or a wet tea bag on the nail at the spot of lesser bleeding can also be effective. No home remedy, however, will be as instantly effective as a styptic powder.
If you don't have styptic powder, dab the tip of the nail on a bar of soap or in a little flour or cornstarch. If the bleeding continues for more than several minutes, call your veterinarian.
One of the most popular methods of controlling bleeding after cutting into the quick is using styptic powder. The powder contains an ingredient called ferric subsulfate which is an antihemorrhagic agent. This will contract the blood vessels—clotting the blood flow and stopping the bleeding within a couple minutes.
These items can be purchased at the pet store or in the first aid section of your human pharmacy. If you do not have these products at home, try covering the nail with baking powder, corn starch, or flour. You can also stick the tip of the nail into a bar of soap to help stop the bleeding.
In the absence of styptic powder, use corn starch. If corn starch is not available, try flour. If you happen to have alum, that seems to work the best in a pinch!
Kwik stop is usually what groomers and vets use when cutting dogs' nails because it does work fast. And it's cheap. You can find it online or at most pet stores.
Applying a layer of Vaseline works too, as well as the waxy foot products such as Mushers Secret. If your dog snags a nail on the ice or snow outside and it is bleeding, you can apply a bit of styptic (clotting) powder if you have any, or in a pinch, a bit of cornstarch can help slow the bleeding.
Applying pressure to the wound is the best way to stop it bleeding. Place a clean and dry piece of material such as a bandage, towel, or cloth on the wound and apply pressure with both hands. Maintain firm and continuous pressure until the bleeding has stopped.
Don't worry too much. Unless your dog has a clotting disorder (and you would probably already know about this), the nail will stop bleeding on its own.
You can stop the bleeding with common household items like soap and baking soda, but it's best to use a styptic pencil or powder.
What is in Kwik-Stop? Ingredients: Ferric Subsulfate, Aluminum Chloride, Diatomite, Bentonite, Copper Sulfate, Ammonium Chloride, Benzocaine.
Use Other Household Items That Can Help Stop the Bleeding
Another option includes applying pressure with a wet tea bag. The best home remedy is likely pressing the end of the nail into a mixture of cornstarch and baking soda (plain cornstarch works also) in the palm of your hand.
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.
The baking soda will act as an agent to slow down the bleeding to the point of stopping it and will be effective at keeping the wound clean. Cornstarch also works well or you can do a small mix of both cornstarch and baking soda. Cornstarch has drying properties so will help slow the bleeding.
Important disclaimer: If your dog's nail does not stop bleeding in 10 minutes OR if your dog has completely or partially torn off a toenail (resulting from an injury), please seek veterinary care.
Corn start or baby powder can substitute for styptic powder but DO NOT use baking soda or baking powder as these can cause infections. You will want to gather other material such as a sock or pantyhose if you do not have gauze rolls, medical tape or vet wrap to help keep the bandage and ear in place.
If you don't have a styptic pencil or alum block on hand, dab a bit of your anti-perspirant deodorant on your wound. The aluminum chloride in anti-perspirants not only prevents sweating, but it also acts as an astringent. Lip balm. Lip balm can help stop the bleeding from shaving nicks in a pinch.
Bentonite, Potassium Aluminum Sulfate, Diatomaceous Earth, Ammonium Chloride.
Cornstarch or flour will help the blood stay clotted and stop the bleeding in most cases. If the bleeding restarts, you may try this technique again. If bleeding persists despite this approach, cauterization may be necessary at your veterinarian's.
One home remedy to stop your dogs nail from bleeding is to use flour, baking soda, or cornstarch. You'll need to thoroughly cover your dog's nail with it, and then gently compress their nail with a towel or cloth for a few minutes until the bleeding stops.
Apply pressure when doing this so that the baby powder, flour, or baking soda is entering into the nail to stop the bleeding. The trick after you have stopped the bleeding is to keep the animal lying or sitting still for a good period of time to ensure that the bleeding does not begin again.