How to stop dog nails from bleeding

Your dog's toenails, like every other part of her body, are supported by live tissue that is responsible for the production of the hard nail material. As a result, her nails continue to grow throughout her entire adult life. Blood vessels and a nerve are both components of living tissue, and this pair is referred to as the quick in some circles.

Pain and bleeding happen from damage to the quick, which can occur as a result of snagging a nail in a fence and ripping it out or having the nail trimmed too short.

If you have ever pulled a fingernail or stubbed your big toe, you will understand what it is like to be in this situation.

In general, you can detect where to trim your dog's nails by looking at the point at where the nail begins to curve and become narrow. You may even see the pink quickly and easily if you have white nails, and you can easily avoid it.

Some dogs, on the other hand, develop extremely thick nails that do not taper at the tips, making it more difficult to detect the quick. Alternatively, if your dog's nails aren't clipped on a regular basis, the quick will begin to grow out as well, making it more likely that the quick may be hit accidently the next time you trim his nails.

How to stop dog nails from bleeding

If you do nick the quick and your dog's nail starts bleeding, don't panic—even if your dog yelps. Keeping calm will help your dog to stay calm, which will allow you to deal with the bleeding nail much more quickly and effectively. Soothe your dog if needed, and hold on to her paw so she doesn't take off dripping blood around the house.

Using Styptic Powder to Stop the Bleeding

Styptic powder is the best and quickest way to stop toenail bleeding from a dog's toenail. It's available at any pet supply store or online. Kwik-Stop is one of the best-known brand names, but there are others available too.

1. To use the powder, either get some on your finger and press onto the bleeding nail or pour some into the lid of the container and dunk your dog's nail into it.

2. Apply pressure for several seconds. If the nail is bleeding badly, you may need to add more styptic powder.

3. When the nail no longer bleeds when you remove pressure, you can relax.
Another option is to get sticks with styptic powder on the end, or silver nitrate sticks. All of these sting a little bit to one degree or another (including the powder), so your dog may flinch when you first contact the sensitive nerve. This discomfort will pass quickly.

Home Remedies to Stop Bleeding

No styptic powder on hand? There are several common household materials that can help in a pinch. Here are a few and how to use them:

Bar soap:

Grab a plain bar of soap and soften it so it's slightly mushy. Press your dog's nail into the soap and hold in place for 3–5 minutes or until the bleeding stops.

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.

Ice:

Ice cubes can also help to slow bleeding, since the cold temperature causes the blood vessels to contract, resulting in less bleeding. Icing your dog's toe will also numb the pain. If your dog objects to the ice, wrap the cube in a paper towel or thin cloth to act as a bit of a barrier. This will also help to absorb any blood or melting water.

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