Caleb Foster
Dogs can break their nails by snagging them on various surfaces, including carpet, upholstery fibres, grass roots, and asphalt. This can cause noticeable symptoms such as favouring a paw, limping, bleeding, and resistance when trying to examine the paw. If your dog has broken the nail down to the quick, it is recommended to visit the vet for proper treatment. However, if the nail is broken, split, or still partially present, it is important to remove the damaged nail to prevent further injury and promote healing. This can be done at home with the right tools, such as sharp nail trimmers or clippers, and by following specific techniques, such as cutting at a 45-degree angle and avoiding the quick to prevent bleeding.
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What You'll Learn
Restrain your dog
Restraining your dog is an important part of cutting their nails. It can be a tricky process, and most dogs don't enjoy it. The sensation of having their nails trimmed can be unpleasant, and the pressure applied to the sensitive nail can be uncomfortable. If you use tools that are not sharp, a crushing sensation may be felt, which can be alarming for your dog.
It is important to get your dog comfortable with the handling and restraint involved in nail trimming. This can be done by training and utilizing a "start button" or "stationing" behaviour. This allows the dog to communicate their willingness to participate. You should only begin the process when your dog has given consent—for example, by lying their head down on the floor while lying on their side.
You should also spend time with all the nails on each paw, as some dogs will be more sensitive to the front or back nails being touched. It is recommended to start by touching "neutral" body parts, such as the shoulder or hind end, rather than going straight for the paws, as this can startle them. A light touch can be more startling than a firmer one.
If your dog is particularly anxious or difficult when it comes to nail trimming, you may need someone to help you restrain them. You can also use a muzzle to prevent biting. It is important to remain calm, firm, and gentle throughout the process, and to use sharp, good-quality tools to make the experience as quick and stress-free as possible.
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Use the right tools
Using the right tools is essential for successful trimming. Sharp nail trimmers designed for dogs are ideal. Avoid using dull trimmers as they can shred the nail and increase the likelihood of a break.
If you are confident in doing so, you can use pet nail clippers to cut off the dangling piece of the broken nail just above the break or tear. This can result in a clean cut that encourages proper nail regrowth. However, it is important to be cautious as cutting into the quick of the nail can be extremely painful for your dog and cause bleeding.
If your dog has black nails, it can be challenging to see the quick. In this case, start by cutting off a tiny bit at a time. As you get closer to the quick, the inside of the nail will appear chalky and white. Stop cutting when you see a black dot in the middle of the white area, as this indicates the end of the quick.
Additionally, nail grinders, such as the Dremel brand, can be used to file your dog's nails smoothly while reducing the risk of hitting the quick. However, if your dog has furry feet, you may need to trim the hair out of the way to ensure the grinder does not grab and yank the fur.
It is important to note that trimming your dog's nails is not always a simple task. If your dog appears very frightened, aggressive, or goes into shock, it is recommended to stop the bleeding and seek veterinary assistance.
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Remove the damaged nail
Removing the damaged nail is important to prevent further injury and allow for proper healing and regrowth. If the nail is broken, split, or still partially present, you will need to snip it off. However, this is not always as simple as it sounds.
If your dog appears very frightened, aggressive, or as if they are going into shock, do not attempt to remove the nail yourself. Instead, try to stem the bleeding and take them to the vet for further treatment. Getting your dog to keep still and well restrained while allowing you to see what you are doing is the largest challenge. If you do proceed with removing the nail, the actual removal with nail clippers should be relatively fast.
To remove the damaged nail, carefully cut off the dangling piece of the broken nail just above the break or tear. This can result in a clean cut that encourages proper nail regrowth. It is important to avoid cutting the quick, as this can be extremely painful and cause bleeding. If the crack is not at the tip of a very long nail, it is best to have your dog sedated for the procedure.
If your dog's toe starts to bleed, apply a styptic pencil or powder to the wound to stop the bleeding almost immediately. These products contain a cauterizing agent that seals the wound. If you don't have a styptic pencil or powder, you can use regular flour or cornstarch. Apply it to the wound and compress it with a towel for a few minutes until the bleeding stops.
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Stop the bleeding
It is important to understand the anatomy of your dog's nails. The keratin shell is the hard, outermost part of the nail that we see and trim. The quick, which is the core of the nail, is situated beneath the keratin shell. It is filled with nerves and blood vessels and is therefore very sensitive. Cutting into the quick can cause pain and bleeding.
If you accidentally cut into the quick, try not to panic. Dogs are resilient, and this situation can be handled with the right knowledge and tools.
Firstly, you should apply firm pressure to the wound. Hold a clean cloth against the bleeding nail for at least two minutes. This slows down blood flow and allows platelets to stick to the wound edges and form a blood clot.
If the bleeding is steady, you can wrap ice within the cloth or paper towel to help lessen the blood flow.
Once the bleeding has slowed, you can then apply a powder to the wound to help it clot. Styptic powder is the most effective solution, but household items such as cornstarch, baking powder, or flour can also work. Gently dip the dog's nail into the powder, repeating if the bleeding doesn't stop.
If the bleeding still doesn't stop, you may need to seek veterinary care.
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Prevent infection
It is important to prevent infection when cutting your dog's nails. Infection can occur if the nails are left too long, as they can curl under the paw pads, impacting the dog's posture and gait. Long nails can also cause deformed feet and injure the tendons over time.
To prevent infection, you should avoid cutting into the quick of the nail, which is the soft cuticle that contains blood vessels and nerve endings. This area supplies blood to the nail and runs through its core. Cutting the quick can cause pain, discomfort, and bleeding. The quick is located at the curve of the nail, so it is important to cut before this point. Nails with black pigmentation can be especially challenging as it is harder to see where the quick is located. In these cases, it is recommended to use a bright light to visualize the quick.
If you do accidentally cut the quick, it is important to remain calm and take steps to stop the bleeding. You can use styptic powder, clotting powder, or powdered flour on the nail bed to help stop the bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop, it may be necessary to seek veterinary care. Your veterinarian may apply a tourniquet and silver nitrate to control the bleeding and prevent infection.
To reduce the risk of infection, it is also important to familiarize yourself with your dog's nails and identify the quick before trimming. Regular nail trimming will cause the quick to recede, making it easier to avoid cutting it. Additionally, you should introduce your dog to the nail clippers or grinders gradually and create positive associations through treats and praise. This will help reduce anxiety during the trimming process.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a set of sharp nail clippers designed for dogs. Dull trimmers can shred the nail and increase the likelihood of a break. You should also have a styptic pencil or powder to stop any bleeding.
First, safely restrain your dog. Even the nicest dog may bite when in pain. You may need a muzzle. Next, cut the nail above the break to completely remove the damaged portion. Be careful not to cut into the quick of the nail, the central collection of blood vessels and nerves. If you are unsure, it is best to seek a veterinarian.
Your dog may yelp in pain, limp, or hold its paw in the air. You may also notice blood on its bedding, constant licking of its paw, or a visibly swollen paw or toe.
Keep your dog's nails short by trimming them regularly. Longer nails tend to get caught on things more easily.
