Dogs are family, and we only want the best for our canine family members. Keeping their nails fine is necessary for caring for our furry members. But sometimes, even with the utmost care, our dog’s nails bleed, and there are many reasons behind it.
It can be annoying when your dog scratches things or the ground and their nails start to bleed. Nothing is worse for pet owners than seeing their paws covered in blood. But no worries! With some simple steps and household items, your dog will feel better in no time.
In this article, we will discuss the causes of nail bleeding in dogs, what steps you can take to stop your dog’s nail bleeding, and all you need to know about a dog’s nail bleeding.
What To Do When Your Dog’s Nails Bleed?
Broken nails bleed and hurt badly, so they must be treated immediately. If your dog’s nail is bleeding and barking in pain, there are a few things you can do. First, calm them down and make them feel comfortable. Hold your pet so that you can analyze and treat the nail easily. Stop the bleeding by pressing on the damaged area and wrapping it with a cloth or towel.
If your dog still has a broken nail on its damaged toe, carefully trim it down and cure it with over-the-counter treatments. If you like to trim your dog’s nails on your own instead of going to a shop, try to cut the nails as short as possible to avoid future damage and pain.
Nail cutting can be easier with white nails as the pink quick is more visible in them, and it can be difficult with dark nails. Until the nail is properly healed, try to keep your dog safe. Keep an eye on its activities and ensure that it won’t scratch or hold its paw in its mouth.
What Can Cause Nail Bleeding In Dogs?
Older pets generally have dry and hard nails. If their nails are too long, they are more likely to be hooked up to things and break easily. Besides this, there are numerous potential causes of nail bleeding in dogs. Here are some of them-
Nail Trauma
Nail trauma is the most common cause of nail bleeding in dogs. Nail trauma can occur for several reasons, including cutting the nails too short, hitting them on something hard, and having the nails stepped on and crushed.
It can also be caused when a nail is ingrown and infected. If your dog suffered from nail trauma, look for swelling, bleeding, and pain signs.
Nail Infection
If not treated properly, nail infections can be a severe problem for dogs. To treat the infection, you’ll need to clean the nail and toe. Be sure to use warm water and a bar of mild soap. After cleaning the area, trim the infected nails.
Bacteria, fungi, and other organisms can cause nail infections. Infections cause the nails to become thickened, discolored, and distorted, which can cause bleeding. Treatment generally involves antibiotics and antifungal medications.
Accidentally Cutting The Nail Quick
Have you ever experienced accidentally cutting the your dog’s nails quick just because it was moving here and there while trimming nails? If you accidentally cut the nail quickly while trimming your dog’s nails, it can be excruciating for them, further causing them to bleed profusely. To prevent your dog’s nails, you need to identify the quick in the nail. The blood vessel in the nail is called quick passes through the center of the nail.
This is a common occurrence that demands prompt attention. To stop the bleeding, apply pressure to the nail with a clean cloth or towel and apply a bandage.
Allergies
There are two main reasons for allergies: environmental allergies, as there is much dirt, pollen, and bacteria in the environment, and food allergies that affect dogs badly.
If left untreated, allergies can cause significant problems. Dogs who suffer from allergies may develop brittle, dry nails that are more likely to break and bleed. These allergies may also cause yeast infections in your dog’s nails.
So, if your dog is allergic to something, ensure that you are treating them immediately, keep hygiene around them, and give them healthy food because it can cause skin irritation, which leads to scratching and further damage to their nails.
Ways To Stop Your Dog’s Nail Bleeding
It can be a scary and painful experience when a nail bleeds. But don’t worry! You can take some actions to stop your dog’s nails from bleeding.
1. Use Styptic Powder
If your dog’s nails are bleeding, it is essential to stop them as soon as possible. Styptic powder is the most effective way to stop bleeding from your dog’s nails. Styptic powder is a coagulant that helps in blood clotting.
Wash the toe properly, take a small amount of styptic powder, apply it on the affected nail, and hold it in place for a few minutes. The powder will help to stop the bleeding and give the nail time to heal.
2. Use Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a natural blood coagulant that will help stop the bleeding quickly. Cornstarch can be used to stop your dog’s nails from bleeding. Apply baking soda and cornstarch to the nail and hold until the bleeding stops.
You can also use a cotton ball soaked in cornstarch if your dog won’t allow the powder to be put directly on the nail. Once the cornstarch has absorbed the blood, it will create a barrier that will keep the area clean and protected.
3. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural antacid that can help neutralize the acid in your dog’s blood. Mix a small amount of baking soda with water or cornstarch and apply it to your dog’s nails with a cotton ball, then cover it with a bandage.
It will help slow the blood flow and reduce swelling. If the nail bleeding doesn’t stop after applying the baking soda, talk to a veterinarian immediately.
4. Protect Your Dog’s Nails With Nail Caps
Protecting your dog’s nails from any kind of infection or allergy is important. One of the best ways to do this is by using nail caps. These are small, soft caps that fit over your dog’s nails. They help protect your dog’s nails from being broken and damaged.
Many of you are wondering if nail caps are safe or not. They are safe for dogs, made of soft plastic, and fit snugly over the dog’s nails. The caps prevent your dog’s nails from growing too long and becoming sharp.
Nail caps are a great way to protect your dog’s nails from damage and injury. There are many different nail caps available, so make sure you find the right size and type for your dog. You should check the caps regularly to ensure they are in place and haven’t come off.
What If You Cannot Stop The Dog’s Nail From Bleeding?
Most of the time, nail injuries stop bleeding within 15 to 20 minutes. If your dog is not suffering from a major injury, you can take care of their nails at home, but if the bleeding is severe or if your dog is in pain, it is best to seek professional medical help.
If you have tried many home remedies to stop your dog’s nail bleeding and are still unable to, you should immediately take your dog to the veterinary hospital. The vet will clean the injured part and give your dog medications to stop the bleeding. They will be able to figure out the root cause of the problem and ways to fix it.
Conclusion
If your dog’s nails are excessively long, it is essential to trim them, either by yourself or by taking them to a groomer. If your dog has an injury in its nails, it is more likely to scratch furniture and the floor. Make sure to prevent them from scratching things.
After the medications, keep your dog’s area clean and dry to prevent further damage. In the meantime, following these steps will help you stop your dog’s bleeding and keep your dog comfortable.
FAQs
Cutting your dog’s nails can be a tricky job. Make sure you’re using sharp, high-quality clippers designed only for dogs. Take your time and be extra careful not to cut too close to the quick.
To prevent cutting the nail quickly, you must identify that by checking the pink part of your dog’s nails. The quick is the blood vessel and nerve that runs through the middle of the nail, usually pink or light brown.
If you’re not confident enough to cut your dog’s nails by yourself, seek out a professional groomer.
It depends on your dog’s injury. If your dog’s nail is slightly bleeding, it may only take a few minutes to stop, but if the nail is severely injured, it may take several hours. But we suggest that, in either case, you should consult with a vet as soon as possible so your pet can get the right treatment.
Yes, if not appropriately treated, it can cause serious health issues. If you leave your dog’s nails untreated, they can become infected, leading to severe problems.
A broken toenail can take some time to heal, depending on the severity of the damage to the nail. If the break is minor, it may only take a few days for the nail to grow again, and if the break is severe, it can take weeks or months. They will heal faster if you take care of your dog’s nail and keep it clean and dry.
Yes, it can heal naturally! But you’ll need to monitor the injury closely. A broken nail can cause major discomfort, and a small movement can cause extreme pain for your dog. If you want the nail to heal properly, you should speak with your veterinarian for proper treatment and care.
Dr. Lillian is a D.V.M. passionate about promoting awareness of dogs. She shares her expertise through her blogs on canineweekly.com and provides animal care services, including internal medicine, dermatology, and emergency care. Dr. Lillian is committed to contributing to animal welfare.