Clipping your dog’s nails is an important part of any grooming routine. Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed helps prevent them from splitting and makes walking and running much more comfortable for your dog.
Learning to clip your dog’s nails takes time and practice. And it’s common to accidentally cut your dog’s nails too short, causing them to bleed, so it’s important to be prepared for accidents. Although bleeding nails look scary, they can usually be treated at home. Here’s what you need to do if you cut your dog’s nails too short:
4 steps to stop bleeding after clipping your dog’s nails
Although bleeding nails can be frightening and anxiety-provoking for dogs, it’s important to remain calm when trying to help them – reacting strongly will only make your dog feel more stressed and less willing to be handled or treated, so try to stay calm when trying to stop a bleeding dog’s nails.
1. Stop the bleeding with gauze or a towel
Safely restrain your dog and use gauze, paper towels, or a clean, thin cloth to stop the bleeding. Apply gentle pressure to the wound for 3-4 minutes to see if the bleeding has stopped.
2. Use cauterizing powder
If bleeding continues, you can use cauterizing powder to help the blood clot. Gently dip your dog’s bleeding nail into the cauterizing powder, making sure the powder gets on the entire area. If your dog hates having their paws touched, you can also use a cotton swab to apply the powder to the nail.
If you don’t have cauterizing powder, you can use cornstarch, flour, or baking powder, and apply the powder to the bleeding nail in the same way.
3. Stop your dog from licking its paws
Usually, you won’t need to bandage your dog’s paw once the bleeding has stopped. Make sure your dog doesn’t lick the wound, as this can cause the scab to fall off and the nail to bleed again. If your dog tries to lick its nails, using an electronic collar can help stop them from doing so.
4. If bleeding continues, consult a veterinarian.
If your dog’s nails continue to bleed, you should take them to a vet or emergency veterinary clinic. It is important to treat the bleeding immediately, as if left untreated, the nail bed can become infected, causing further pain and complications for your dog.
How to safely cut your dog’s nails
It’s easier to cut your dog’s nails if you can see the nail bed. However, some dogs have black or dark brown nails, which can make cutting their nails much more difficult. If this is your first time cutting your dog’s nails, get a nail clipper with a safety stop so you don’t accidentally cut your dog’s nails too short. Have cauterizing powder and a styptic pen on hand in case of an accident.
When cutting nails, it is best to cut in small increments. A dog’s nail consists of a nail, a horn, and a quick. Stop cutting your dog’s nails when you see the tip of the quick. The quick is a small black dot in the center of a dog’s nail. Stop cutting when you see this small dot. If you are hesitant to cut your dog’s nails, consult a veterinarian or professional groomer. Many veterinarians and groomers will be happy to show you how to cut your dog’s nails to a safe length.
Conclusion
If you accidentally cut your dog’s nails too short, it’s important to stay calm. Get a gauze or towel and apply pressure to the nail. If bleeding continues, apply cauterizing powder, cornstarch, or baking powder to help with blood clotting. If bleeding continues, take your dog to a vet or emergency veterinary clinic for further treatment.
Featured image credits: mathefoto, Shutterstock
