5 Easy Ways To Stop A Dog’s Bleeding Nail

Styptic pencils, Kwik Stop and home remedies such as cornstarch, flour and soda can help stop your dog’s bleeding nail fast.

If you’re trimming your dog’s nails from home and you find that you’ve cut the nail too far and it’s bleeding, don’t worry, most of us have been there. The good news is that most of the time you can get the nail to stop bleeding in just a few minutes with items you already have at home. 

First, if you cut your dog’s nail too much and now it’s bleeding, don’t panic. 

The sight of blood coming from your dog’s paw can be scary and most likely they let out a big yelp when you accidentally cut the quick. 

Next:

1. Keep your dog calm
2. Use a styptic powder like Kwik Stop
3. Don’t wipe the nail instead just dab the nail in the powder 
4. Keep your dog from licking the nail and walking on it until the bleeding stops
5. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, contact your veterinarian
6. Take a deep breath.

This is a common injury seen in dogs and most of the time you can get the bleeding nail to stop pretty fast. 

It’s a good idea to take some time to reassure your dog that everything is ok with a few pets on the head, a chin rub, or grab a few treats. 

If you have someone that can stay with the dog while you grab the supplies that you need to stop the nail from bleeding, that’s great.

Have them come and sit with your dog while you go to grab some supplies. 

If you don’t have anyone, your furry friend will be fine for a few seconds!

5 Ways To Stop Your Dog’s Bleeding Nail

 

 

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Here are some of the easiest ways to get your dog’s bleeding nail to stop quickly. 

How To Stop a Dog’s Bleeding Nail With Styptic Powder 

If you’ve cut your dog’s toenail too short or if your dog’s nail is broken and it’s bleeding a lot, styptic powder is the best and quickest way to stop the bleeding from a dog’s toenail.

These powders contain an active ingredient called ferric subsulfate that contracts the blood vessels and stops the bleeding.

It’s also considered an antiseptic.

The most common styptic powder used is Kwik Stop.  

Kwik Stop can be purchased at most local pet stores and it comes in a little canister.

To Use Kwik Stop

1. To use the powder, either get some on your finger and gently press onto the bleeding nail or pour some into the lid of the container and gently press the tip of your dog’s nail into it. 
2. Apply gentle but firm pressure for several seconds.
3. If the nail keeps bleeding through the Kwik Stop you might need to apply a little bit more powder. 
4. When the nail stops bleeding, you can stop applying pressure.
5. Make sure to keep your dog quiet for several minutes and don’t let them lick their injured nail while the Kwik Stop is setting up.

 Kwik Stop also contains Benzocaine which works as a topical anesthetic to help ease the pain.

Keep your dog still for several minutes to allow the clotting process to set in.

“Styptic powder, such as Kwik-Stop, will stop the bleeding instantly, but if you don’t have that on hand, some everyday household products can work just as well” – Tufts Cumming School of Veterinary Medicine. 

How To Use Styptic Pencil To Stop A Bleeding Nail

Styptic pencils can be purchased at most pet stores and they work similarly to powders.  

You simply press the styptic pencil on the broken nail.

While styptic pencils may be one of the favorites they can sting because many of them contain silver nitrate so it’s not top on my list, especially if you have a dog that is already a little nervous about having his paws touched.

They can also be very messy.

Expect your dog to feel it once you do it.

We use to use silver nitrate sticks at the vet clinic when the Kwik Stop just wasn’t cutting it.

Keep your pet still for several minutes to allow the blood to clot.

You can use dog treats to help keep them in one place. 

4 Easy Home Remedies To Stop a Dog’s Nail Bleeding Fast

If you don’t have Kwik Stop on hand, don’t worry!

You can use flour, baking soda, cornstarch or a bar of soap

You probably have some of these common household items that will help with your dog’s nail injury right in your kitchen pantry!

How to Stop Your Dogs Nail From Bleeding with Flour, Baking Soda or Cornstarch:

• Baking soda, flour or cornstarch can be mixed with a small amount of water to make a paste.
• Grab a pinch of the paste and use a cotton swab to apply pressure to the nail. You can use a towel to help keep gentle pressure on the nail. 

How To Use Soap To Stop a Bleeding Dog Nail

• Bar of soap-A slightly moistened bar of soap can work in a pinch for a minor bleed.
• Simply gently press the dog’s nail into the bar of soap or gently drag the nail across the bar. I would try to make sure it’s fragrance-free. 
• Keep your pet still for several minutes to allow the blood to clot.

 

What Not To Do When Your Dog’s Nail Is Bleeding

• • Don’t wipe the blood away from the nail. 
  • The blood will help the Quik Stop or flour coagulate. 
  • Don’t let your dog lick the nail that is bleeding.
  • Don’t use glue!
  • Don’t squeeze the nail. If you squeeze the bleeding nail it’s not going to stop bleeding. 

If all else fails a bandage wrap may be needed to keep the pressure on the nail or to keep the nail covered so that the dog doesn’t lick it or walk on it creating the bleed to start all over again.

When The Bleeding Stops, Keep Your Dog Rested

Don’t worry, most dog nails will stop bleeding on their own but it could take some time.

If the bleeding is minor it can take a few minutes for the nail to stop bleeding.

If you’ve cut way below the quick to the base of the nail, it can take up to 15 minutes for the bleeding to stop.

Keep pressure applied to the nail.

The most important thing to do once you get the bleeding stopped is to keep the dog still and from walking on hard surfaces for at least 20-30 minutes. 

You have to keep in mind that they are walking on that nail when they move so if it’s not clotted it will keep bleeding.

Give your dog the best experience if you opt to take on this grooming task from home, give them a massage, a puzzle toy, a chew toy or just sweet talk them.

If Your Dog’s Nail Won’t Stop Bleeding After 20-30 Minutes

In rare cases, some nails will not stop bleeding.

Most nails will stop bleeding in a few minutes but if the bleeding doesn’t stop after 20-30 minutes, you should contact your veterinarian. 

Some nails that won’t stop bleeding will require a visit to your vet to make sure that it’s not infected. 

A torn or broken nail is an open wound that is constantly coming in direct contact with the dirty ground and the nail can take a few weeks to fully heal and may require pain medication.

Any oozing from the nail or nail bed, swollen toes or limping should be seen by a veterinarian.

Things To Keep In Mind When Your Dog’s Nail Is Bleeding

Stay calm.

You’ve hit a small blood vessel.

It’s going to bleed but remember it will eventually stop unless you have a dog with a clotting disorder. 

Your dog will forgive you.

It may take a year or so but they will forgive you. (kidding. they’ll forgive you as soon as you give them a treat and put the nail clippers away)

 

So what about you? Do have any tips on trimming dog nails? What’s your choice of dog nail trimmers?

 If a dog’s nail won’t stop bleeding after 30-60 minutes you should contact your veterinarian.

This information is not meant to substitute for veterinary care.

Other posts you may find interesting:

The Secret Grey Dot Inside A Dog’s Black Nail

Homemade Paw Balm

Disclosure-I am not a veterinarian and the information in this post does not substitute for veterinarian advice. You should always speak to your vet in regards to any questions about your dog’s health. 

 

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