Cutting a dog’s nail too short and “quicking” a dog’s nail is painful, messy, and can be traumatic for the dogs and their humans! Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby shares 3 sure-fire steps on how to quickly stop a dog’s nail from bleeding, complete with instructional photos. Plus, learn how to avoid accidentally cutting the quick in the future.
How to stop a dog’s nail from bleeding in 3 steps
You’re clipping your dog’s nails and you accidentally cut the quick (the blood and nerve supply in your dog’s toenail) with your nail trimmers. How do you stop a dog’s nail from bleeding?
The good news is that when you clip your dog’s nail too short, you can stop the bleeding in three easy steps.
The bad news is that hitting the quick is painful for your dog, nerve-wracking for you, and a bloody mess. It’s an event you and your dog are likely to remember when it comes time for the next nail trim. However, as a practicing veterinarian with 25+ years of experience (including teaching countless dog owners how to trim dog nails), let me reassure you. You can avoid future nail trimming mishaps and confidently trim your dog’s nails again.
First, here’s what to do if you cut your dog’s nail too short and it’s bleeding.
Step 1: First and foremost, remain calm. Do not panic.
If you panic, your dog will pick up on it instantly. Your canine companion will sense that you are stressed and will mirror your attitude. Blood pressure will climb—both for you and for your dog. Increased blood pressure is a natural physiological response to stress.
What does this mean for your dog? As a dog’s blood pressure rises, the blood flow is increased in the cut vessels in the toenail, worsening the situation.
Years ago, as a newly minted veterinarian, I volunteered to trim the nails of my aunt’s uncooperative dog, who had long, black talons, during a family reunion over the Christmas holidays. I successfully trimmed the nails on about 14 toes before inadvertently hitting the quick.
First, a drop of blood appeared at the cut nail tip. As a result, all the family members (who had been standing around watching this as prime-time entertainment) started to panic. My aunt let go of her dog, whereby he zoomed around the room several times, spewing blood all over the floor and carpet.
At the end of the day, my aunt’s dog recovered quickly, and my pride was the only thing that suffered a lingering injury.
Please learn from my experience and do your best to keep everyone involved calm. A healthy dog will not bleed to death from a cut toenail—not even close! While it is unfortunate that you’ve hurt your dog (which none of us wants to do), and while it may be a bit messy, this is not a serious injury.
Step 2: Apply direct pressure.
As taught in basic human first aid, apply direct pressure to your dog’s bleeding nail. You can use anything from a clean paper towel to facial tissue to the hem of your shirt (if you are in a real pinch). Granted, your dog may be a bit gun-shy about you pressing on that freshly-injured nail. However, if you remain calm, this is a doable and helpful step.
Step 3: Apply a clotting substrate to the end of the dog’s nail.
Kwik-Stop Styptic Powder is my clotting substrate of choice. It has a bit of a numbing agent in it for pain, and it generally stops minor bleeding quickly.
I always recommend having Kwik-Stop or another clotting agent nearby before starting a nail trim. By being prepared for hitting the quick, I think Murphy’s Law dictates that you are much less likely to do so!
Before beginning, I recommend pouring a bit of the powder onto a paper plate. By using a paper plate to hold the styptic powder, it is easy to return the unused portion back into the container. Simply fold the paper plate and “pour” the unused powder back into its vial. Be sure to put the plate within your reach but away from your dog so it doesn’t get knocked over.
How to apply styptic powder to your dog’s nail to stop the bleeding:
You can “dip” your dog’s bleeding toenail into the powder, which is a common procedure. However, I prefer the following method to stop a dog’s nail from bleeding:
- Take a pinch of the powder between your thumb and forefinger.
- Press it directly into the end of your dog’s nail.
- Apply direct pressure to the toenail for a minute or two while being careful not to squeeze your dog’s toe.
Essentially, you are “packing” the clotting agent into the end of the nail while applying pressure to stop the dog’s nail from bleeding. It is doubly effective.
In a bind, if you don’t have dog-specific styptic powder on hand, you can use these home remedies:
- A moistened human styptic pencil
- Cornstarch
- Baking soda or baking powder
- Flour
Use these substitutions in the same way as described above to stop a dog’s nail from bleeding.
Need more help learning how to stop a dog’s nail from bleeding?
It’s important to know what signs to watch for as you are trimming your dog’s nails. The goal is always to avoid painful over-trimming!
Take a look at this series of photos to get more information on successfully dealing with a bleeding toenail.
The image above shows the area just before the quick (the blood and nerve supply) on a dog’s trimmed toenail. I’ve coined the term “pre-quick” to describe this area of the nail.
This is an important landmark that signals that you should not trim the nail back any further. Think of it as a stop sign for the nail trim.
The quick can be hard to identify, especially in dogs with black nails. I recommend trimming just a few millimeters at a time until you see this “pre-quick,” then stop trimming that nail.
If your dog’s nail looks like this, you’ve trimmed the toenail too far and nicked the very edge or beginning of the quick. The dog’s nail is oozing a tinge of blood. Stay calm!
This image shows how to pack Kwik-Stop Styptic Powder into the end of the dog’s toenail.
By applying pressure, the blood droplets moisten the styptic powder and create a “seal” on the end of the dog’s toenail. Be careful not to squeeze the dog’s toe.
In this case, the dog’s toenail was just slightly oozing and the styptic powder quickly sealed the wound. If your dog’s nail is bleeding heavily, continue applying direct pressure and repacking with the clotting substrate until the bleeding stops. (Follow the three-step instructions above.)
Important disclaimer: If your dog’s nail does not stop bleeding in 10 minutes OR if your dog has completely or partially torn off a toenail (resulting from an injury), please seek veterinary care.
Setting yourself up for dog nail trimming success
The unfortunate thing when a nail is quicked is not so much the present situation for your dog, but rather, future nail trimming sessions.
Our four-legged friends have very long memories when it comes to pain, so hitting your dog’s quick will likely negatively impact your next nail-trimming experience. However, you can work through it and ease your dog’s fears with patience, and positive reinforcement, by taking it slow and having the tools and techniques that make nail trimming easy.
Make sure you have the right tool for the job
Using the right tool for the job can greatly increase your nail trimming success. Over the course of my veterinary career, I have found the holy grail of dog nail clippers. In fact, not only do I recommend them to my veterinary clients, I carry them in my purse for dog nail-trimming emergencies!
Pet stores have so many options for nail trimmers; it can be overwhelming to choose. If you’re using dog nail trimmers that crush the nail, have a safety guard (a “guide” that gives you a false sense of security), or don’t give you enough control as your trimming, nail trims may be a frustrating experience. Please don’t give up!
I invite you to learn more about my dog nail trimming kit, which includes nail trimmers that cut like a knife through butter, styptic powder, and my 7-step reference guide on nail trimming with confidence. I’m confident that with the right tool and a little know-how, you can do this!
More tips for successful nail trims
That Christmas holiday gathering when I clipped the quick on my aunt’s dog’s toenail is still a vivid memory. My Uncle Kippy still enjoys teasing me about it, twenty years later! However, it showed me how important a successful nail-trimming technique is, and inspired me to develop an exact formula for efficient and pain-free nail trims.
One of my biggest recommendations is to touch your dog’s feet often. If your dog knows the only time you grab his or her paws is to trim nails, they’re going to be more stressed. A good goal is to try to touch your dog’s feet for at least 30 minutes each day. That way, they’re used to paw touching when it’s nail trim time.
Here are more helpful tips and resources on how to trim your dog’s nails:
- Dr. Buzby’s Nail Trimming Without Blood, Sweat, or Tears Master Course
- 7 Tips for Successful Dog Nail Trims
- How to Clip Dog Nails: Turning Scary Task into Success
What concerns do you have about cutting your dog’s nails too short?
Please comment below. We can all learn from each other.
Hi, after reading many of the comments here i do feel a little more reassured as i too also gave my dog a nail clipping session and accidentally cut one nail a little too short that it bled and it scared me and i think it too affected my dog. We went to the vet and they stopped the blood and said there were no complications so sent us home with an antiseptic wash and said it should not bleed anymore. However after we brought him out for a walk with a sock on but it bled again and we quickly cleaned up the nail and dip his nail in cornstarch and it stopped bleeding. I am so confused and stressed on how long this would go for.
Hi CL,
I am sorry your dog’s bleeding nail is causing so much worry and stress. It sounds like the fabric of the sock rubbed the clot away from the nail while your dog was walking. Even though the bleeding is messy and looks terrible, it really should not be a cause for major concern. It might be best to just wait till the next day to resume regular walks. Try not to let this ruin your day. You are doing a great job and things should resolve quickly. Wishing you all the best.
Appreciate the reply so should I put on socks when he goes for walks during this period or should i just let him walk barefooted? We put him in socks with a gauze in and the bleeding stopped but only when he went for a walk, the clot reopens again. I cannot help but to feel so bad that I caused it.
Hi CL,
I think after a full 24 hours of rest the sock shouldn’t be needed and you could allow him to walk without a bandage. Maybe try to avoid very rough surfaces if possible? But that would just be out of an abundance of caution. Don’t let this get you too down. We’ve all done it at some point, and I promise your pup has already forgiven you and loves you just the same.
Thank you Dr! Appreciate the advice and support!
Hi,
I cut my dog’s toenail too short and we were able to apply some flour to wound to stop it from bleeding. However, every time she licks the nail, she reopens the wound. We put a towel around her foot tied with a hair tie (not too tight of course) but were wondering how long we would need to keep that on for without risking her reopening it? Any help would be appreciated thank you!
Hi Chris,
I am sorry you are dealing with this frustrating situation. Unfortunately, there is no magic number for how long it will take for the nail to completely clot and harden. By now you should be ok. If the nail is still bleeding today, you would need to call your vet and have them take a look at it. Hoping all is well with you and your pup.
Hi,
I cut my dogs nails too short, I tried the cornstarch and wrapped it that worked for a bit until I had to leave the house for 10 minutes then he licked the bandage and made it bleed again. I then used the Kwik-stop and bandaged it up. Which it creates kind of a brown residue on his paw beside the nail I’m assuming the powder mixed with blood caused this. I have changed his bandage a couple times and have it wrapped up for bed so he doesn’t lick it. Do you think it’s okay if he licks it or would that cause the clot to loosen and come off, causing bleeding? Is it okay to wrap it for the night? I can monitor his licking tomorrow.
Hi Kristy,
I understand your concern about your pup licking the nail and causing the bleeding to start again. It is hard to make this kind of judgement call without seeing the nail myself. I am not sure there is a straightforward answer and either choice would probably have turned out just fine. How did things go last night? Hoping all is well and your boy is back to his normal activities.
2 of my dogs nails were cut too short by a groomer. They didn’t tell me- they were bleeding when I got home. I bandaged the foot and bleeding stopped. 9 months later the 2 nails have not grown at all. Will they ever grow again? I will see a vet soon but what do you think will help them grow again? Is there any long term side effects if they never grow back? How often does this happen? Thanks
Hi Sally,
I am sorry your pup had their nails clipped a bit short. Honestly, I am puzzled as to why they have not grown back out. This is not common and without examining your dog myself I am not sure what the cause could be. I am glad you have plans to take your dog to the vet. The only thing I can think of is there could be an underlying endocrine disease such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease which could interfere with nail and hair growth. I have diagnosed this in several patients over the years after they were shaved by a groomer and then the hair never grew back. But I have not experienced a case where the nails did not grow. I hope your vet is able to run tests and get some much-needed answers. Wishing you both the best of luck and feel free to leave an update if new information comes to light.
Hello. Just like all the previous comments, I trimmed one of my Cavalier puppy’s nails too short last night. I stopped the bleeding, dabbed the quick with some “super clot” disinfectant, and wrapped it. She slept all night with the bandage still in tact. But, now should I wash my puppy’s paw? If so, with what type of solution? I’m sure there’s dried blood under the wrapped paw. When I take off the wrap she’ll probably lick her paw if I don’t clean it. Thanks for all you do. Your website it awesome!
Hi Peggy,
I am glad you were able to get the situation resolved quickly and your puppy tolerated the bandage overnight. Honestly there is probably no real issue with your pup licking her paw at this point. But if you want to be extra cautious, cold water washes away blood fairly quickly and peroxide can also get dried blood out of fur if the water isn’t enough. I hope that helps and I wish you both the best!
Hi there!
I cut my dogs nail a bit short and it bled for a few minutes. I used paper towels and pressure to help it stop, then I rinsed her foot with some of her soap and water. Should I not take her on any walks for a day or so? Should I keep her foot bandaged for a while until the nail begins to grow more?
I’m not entirely sure how to know if the quick is exposed badly or not and I leave for a trip in a few days. I want to make sure she’ll be okay before I go
Thank you
Hi Diana,
Since the bleeding stopped after just a few minutes I am hopeful that the quicked nail won’t be an issue. As long as your pup doesn’t seem painful or reluctant to walk with normal weight on the paw, then you should be in the clear. I would not worry about bandaging it and if you decided not to go walking for a day or so, it would be out of an abundance of caution. As always, if you have any lingering concerns, please reach out to your vet. Have fun on your trip and give your sweet girl a hug for me. ♥
Hi, I have struggled with my Basset Hound for years. Our first experience at the vets for nail clipping didn’t go too well with him screaming on the first cut. 30 mins later we still only had one nail cut and I couldn’t bear any more, so refused to continue. Since then I have attempted, not as often I should due to his distress as it takes around an hr to get him calm enough to cut 1 nail. We have now reached the point where some of his nails are curling, so have resigned myself that this must be done and to cut at least 1 nail per night. We are now on day 4 (all on the back paws, for some reason it’s much easier than the front) but tonight saw blood. He licked for a while then fell asleep on it. When he awoke around an hr later and started to walk, his whole foot and underbelly was covered in blood. On examination the nail was still slowly dripping blood. I have managed to stem the bleeding, but mortified by the experience and feel so guilty for leaving this so long, however he doesn’t seem bothered at all, so I’m adamant I will continue until all his nails are of the right length. Good luck to all out there, persevere.
Hello,
Good job persevering with nail trimming and not getting discouraged by the nail you cut a bit too short. It happens to everyone sometimes (including vets and techs), so please don’t feel bad about it! I hope you were able to get the rest of the nails cut over the following days and that nail trimming has gotten a bit easier now. You can do this!
Thanks for this info. I just cut my little dog’s nail too short. She jumped and pulled back just as I squeezed the cutters, With some corn starch and pressure it stopped bleeding, but I can’t stop crying. I feel awful. When she started fighting me I should have stopped, but they were getting so long, they were crossing over each other. I still have one paw to go, but scared to try again. I would take her to the vet to get them trimmed but that seems to cause even more trauma for her.
Hi Debby,
I am sorry this nail trim experience did not go as well as you hoped. I know you are nervous to try again, but I know you can do this! You may need someone to help hold your pup or you can wrap her in a towel to help keep her still. Then I recommend having a firm grip on the paw with one hand while you clip the nails using the other. This way, if your dog tries to pull her paw back, you should be able to prevent it and finish with the trim. Make sure to reward her with some treats and love so she associates getting her nails cut with good things. I believe in you! You’ve got this!!!
My yorkipoo is very anxious when it’s time to clip her nails. She has black nails, which makes the task difficult to begin with. We clipped her nails yesterday and cut one too short. She bled and I was able to stop the bleeding with cornstarch. We put a bootie on her paw to protect it, or so I thought. Today, the top of her paw is swollen. She’s not limping and is still very active. I want to wait a day or so to monitor her paw and see if it goes down or is a vet visit necessary at this point?
Hi Nicole,
I am sorry your little pup is having some issues since her nail trim accident. Without seeing her paw, myself, it is hard to know what advice is best. Since you are noticing swelling, I think you should err on the side of caution and call your vet. There is a chance the swelling could be due to the bootie being a bit too tight. If this is the case, then the swelling should go down on its own after the bootie remains off for a while. How are things today? Were you able to get some answers? Hoping all is well. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
I cut one of my miniature schnauzer’s nails a bit too short and the blood flood gates opened up. I know it hurt me more than her but I did panic. Reading all of these comments and remedies I realize that I am not alone and need to stop beating up on myself. I was not able to get the bleeding to stop with corn starch right away but after calming myself down and keeping pressure on it for about 30 minutes it did stop. Unfortunately when my neighbor came over to check on me my dog got very excited and it was worse than when I cut it. Reading your responses, I now understand why. At that point, we could not calm her down or stop the bleeding so a trip to the vet …. They were busy so I left her there (which tore my heart out more) and returned to find my dog with a bandaged foot, antibiotics and a pain med. The vet said to remove the bandage in 24-48 hours and not to get her foot wet.
I removed the bandage at 48 hours, it looked ok but put gauze and a sock on it to keep her from licking it. I put a baggy over the foot when she went out to do potty. The vet said it was ok to go for walks which we did, but I have kept it covered (baggy for outside walking).
I had it wrapped today (gauze and sock) and left her for about five hours. I came home and the sock was still intact but very wet. She had been licking it and removed some of the type. She did not ingest the tape (thankfully after reading your responses).
Her little pads in between are pretty red, but the nail looks ok. Based on your comments I take it is best NOT to cover the foot, to let the air at it and try to minimize her licking. Probably best that I keep my upset and stress away from her in order for her to get back to normal and lead me in the same direction…..
Was covering it up detrimental to the healing (additional 12 hours after removing the bandage the vet put on)? And is it ok to let her walk outside ‘barefoot’? She is a ‘puller’ on the leash (2 years old) so I am concerned she will do damage to the nail…….
Thanks in advance. I hope I can stop kicking myself soon over this.
Susan
Hi Susan,
I am sorry you have been through so much with your dog’s toenail. You are doing a great job and please give yourself some grace. It is likely the nail has already sealed over where the cut was made and the risk of additional bleeding at this point is probably very slim. I do think it would be best to leave the bandage off and give the foot some air. Without examining your dog, myself, I can’t be sure, but I think you are ok to let her go outside barefoot and resume her daily walks. These quicked nails tend to heal very quickly without many complications. If you have any lingering concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet. You’ve got this!
Hi, my pup had a groom a few days ago and they cut his nail too short and it bled. He’s seemed OK however when I took him out for a walk two days later he kept limping and the nail appears to be black now. Is this a concern or just a bit or bruising maybe? He hasn’t limped around the house just whilst on the walk which I put down to the rougher surface and his nail being tender.
Any advice is much appreciated! Thank you!
Hi Nadia,
I think it is great you are keeping such a close eye on your pup and advocating for his wellbeing. Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions or recommendations. The color change to the nail could be bruising or even staining from the dried blood. Is your pup licking the nail? Sometimes saliva staining can be a very dark color. How is your little guy feeling today? As long as the limping has stopped, and you aren’t noticing any other signs of pain or infection then you are probably in the clear. If at any point you have lingering concerns, don’t hesitate to talk to your vet. Wishing you both the best.
i cut my dog’s nail too short earlier and it bled but he wasn’t really bothered by it and still acting normal but im still worried about him since i wont be home with him tomorrow im really scared
Hi Pablo,
I know it can be scary to see your pup bleeding. It sounds like you have everything under control and your dog is back to normal. Can you be more specific about what you are worried will happen tomorrow? If I can better understand your concern, then maybe I can point you in the right direction for more information or advice.
Can I put a protective booty over my dogs foot went to vet to get the Kwik-Stop Styptic Powder with Benzocaine to cover while going out so the cut toenail will not get infected. Did not bring my dog. Should have asked when I was there. But they are closed now.
Hi Dawn,
It is fine to cover your dog’s foot with a boot when going outside to potty. Just make sure to take the boot off as soon as your dog comes back inside to prevent moisture buildup on the paw. Most toenails that have been clipped too short heal just fine without risk of infection. Your dog may not need a boot, but it is ok to be cautious and use one for peace of mind.
I cut my dogs nail to short, it stops bleeding right away after some pressure but he keeps kicking it and it starts to bleed. When I wrap it in a sock or tape, he crews it off right away. I don’t have a cone. How do I get him to stop licking?
Hi Jaime,
The nail will need some time to form a secure blood clot and dry a bit. You can buy an E.Collar (cone) at most pet stores and from your vet. If you don’t have access to an E.Collar you may have to sit with your pup to physically prevent him from licking long enough for the bleeding to completely resolve. Also, the addition of styptic powder or corn starch will help prevent bleeding better than just pressure alone.
Thank you so much for the information. I panic today when this happened. I wish knew about this before. It stop bleeding so I put a bandage to avoid infection. Is there anything else I can use to prevent infection? Also, when is safe to romove the bandage?
Hi Bri So,
Nails that have been clipped too short are generally not at risk for infection unless a large portion of the nail is missing or there is exposed tissue. The bandage is only needed until the bleeding has stopped. You may want to keep a bandage on if there is a large area of “quick” exposed and you are planning to have your veterinarian examine your pup. If the bit of nail that was clipped too short is very small, then once the bleeding has stopped you should be ok to allow your dog to return to normal activities.
Hi, so I accidentally clipped the quick of my dogs back foot today and it’s not bleeding badly or anything but she is a rescue who was very badly abused and it’s already extremely hard to clip her nails because she is really scared of it. I’m worried this traumatized her even more. What do I do next time to keep her calm? She won’t take treats when she is anxious either so that doesn’t help.
Hi Sabrina,
I am sorry your pup suffers from anxiety and is afraid to get her nails trimmed. Hopefully, with repeated nail trims, your dog will start to learn that she doesn’t have anything to fear. You can help her associate nail trims with something positive by offering treats once the job is done or spending time petting and massaging her afterward. Some dogs may need an actual anxiety medication. You can talk to your vet and see if your pup would benefit from something like this.
Just wanted to come and say thank you for the packing tip! I have quicked my dog’s (black) nails a few times in the past and had read that cinnamon was a good styptic agent. However today I didn’t have any cinnamon and his one nail was bleeding all over the place! I quick looked up “quicked my dogs nail” and your article was the first thing that popped up. I had dipped his bleeding toe in diatomaceous earth but that wasn’t doing anything and it just made a bigger mess. So I applied pressure with a damp wash cloth and then packed it with corn starch and it stopped right away! Now he is resting on his bed. I do not know why applying pressure had never occurred to me before, and packing the toenail worked wonders. Thank you!!
Hi Corinne,
You are so welcome! I am glad you found the article helpful in a tricky situation. Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your experience with our readers. I hope your next nail trim will turn out less stressful! ♥
So I have the worst time trimming nails. Every time I think I’m good, inevitably i missed the mark and go too low.
So long story short, my black-nailed dog hasn’t had regular nail clipping over the last year or so. I’ve done it a few times, but I’m pretty sure it hasn’t been low enough. I know going too long between cutting allows the quick to go into the too-long nail over time, so I tried to go low enough today. At least one was too low and it bled pretty bad.
That said – what do I do for future clippings? Can I get the quick to move back? Will the bleeding make it worse or better in terms of getting the quick to shorten back to a normal amount. I mentioned the black nail earlier – they are solid black – you can’t see through them. Would a light shone behind them help? I’m pretty desperate and am trying to do better by cutting more often, but todays incident has scared me for the next time. I don’t want to make it worse by doing the wrong thing next time.
Thank you!!
Hi Jen,
I understand your struggle and believe me you are not alone! You are correct that with more frequent clippings, the quick will start to recede a bit, making it possible to cut the nails shorter in the future. The timing of the quick moving back is not affected by bleeding, so I would not try to cut them too far back on purpose. In my experience, if the nails are completely black, the use of a light will not help much. Your best bet is to have your vet, or a groomer show you the landmarks they look for when cutting nails. It might even be a good idea to have them do the nail trims for you for a few months just until the nail lengths become more manageable. Then, once you are starting fresh, you can try to maintain the nails by clipping them every couple weeks. Also, the more your pup walks on rough surfaces such as concrete, the nails will file themselves a bit and may help maintain them for you. Don’t be discouraged. You can do this!!!
i cut my dog nail too short it bled for a minute and it stopped should i be worried or no? i’m really scared i think i cut the tip of that quick thing
Hi Isha,
Yes, if the nail bled after cutting then you did cut into the “quick” of the nail. As long as the bleeding stopped and your dog doesn’t seem to be painful, then you don’t need to be worried. The nail should heal on its own and grow back in a few weeks. If you do have any concerns, don’t hesitate to call your vet.
My husband clipped our dog’s nail too short yesterday. We used cornstarch to stop the bleeding. We thought it was ok, but every time she goes out to go potty, it starts to bleed again. Should we be concerned? And is there anything we can do to keep the bleeding stopped for good? Thank you!
Hi LR,
I know how frustrating it can be while battling a bleeding toenail. It is likely that when your dog gets up to walk around her blood pressure rises (normal with activity) and causes the bleeding to start again. Also, the rough surface outside may be rubbing against the nail causing the clot to dislodge and allowing continued bleeding. It might be a good idea to put a sock over the paw or gently wrap it just while she is walking outside and then remove the sock as soon as she gets back inside. I don’t think it is anything to be concerned about, but it might be a good idea to have it examined by your vet just in case. I hope everything is back to normal today and your pup is resting comfortably!
Hello , I was trimming my bully pits nails an i went to far on his back nail an cut the quick. It started gushing out blood very bad. I started to panic an didn’t know what to do. My dog was actually more calm then me. I googled what I could do an use for this awful situation. I ended up finding some information to apply pressure to the nail with a clean cloth or cotton ball then pack the injured nail with cornstarch , flour or baking soda. I tried all three . it would not stop bleeding for a very long time. I ended up on my own pouring cornstarch,flour an baking soda in a sock an slipping it over his paw an wrapping the sock with a a hair tie loosely around the sock to hold the sock on. . I kept it on there for about an hour . The bleeding finally stopped. There is now a ugly looking blood clot, it looks like it hurts very bad . It looks really red an fleshy white an pink . Is that normal for it to look like this ? If so how long will it take to heal ? An what should I do to care for this injury after ? I read that this type of injury is quite common an not life threatening. But I just want to be safe then sorry. Trying to avoid the VETS if I can , but if I have to I have to. Are fur babies are like are real human babies . Thank u, god ? bless
Hi Corey,
I am sorry you had such a traumatic experience cutting your pup’s nails. Most of the time when a nail is cut too short, the quick is only mildly affected and can heal on its own easily. In your situation, it sounds like you may have severely quicked the nail and left some exposed tissue. This may still heal just fine on its own, but since I haven’t examined your dog myself, I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations. Your best option is to have your vet examine the nail and decide if it needs treatment. They may need to trim the excess tissue back a bit further or prescribe some medication to promote healing and prevent infection and pain. I hope your boy is doing well since the incident and everything has resolved. Don’t let this one bad experience stop you from trying to cut his nails again in the future. Now you know what to look for and you’ll be just fine! Good luck!
I have two dogs. One is a digger and she broke her dew claw nail trying to dig through solid ice which exposed part of her wick and it started bleeding. Since it was so cold, luckily it hadn’t started bleeding much so I packed it with flour and wrapped it with a self-adhesive wrap to keep her from fiddling with it and she’s fine now.
So this morning, I decided to trim both dogs toenails to try to prevent anymore hard ice related injuries… My other dog was trying to give me grief clipping his nails then I noticed he also had a broken nail that was bleeding only on his back paw. I got the flour and cornstarch (the four was much faster than the cornstarch) and the self-adhesive wraps out. I figured since he was being such a good boy, I would just clip the rest of his nails on the same foot before wrapping it up… This was where I messed up. He has all four dew claws and they are all black (about half his nails are black the other are clear). He also has hip issues so he doesn’t put his full weight on his back feet so his back dew claws never wear down on walks or during playtime. I trimmed the damn thing too short. He yelped, I did remain calm. I got my other dog into her crate (to prevent her from “helping”) and my poor baby boy was bleeding really bad. I packed him in cornstarch, but it just beaded up immediately, there was too much blood. I packed him in flour and that immediately slowed the bleeding where I could hold pressure on it. I ended putting a mix cornstarch and flour on some gauze and wrapping it with a snug amount of pressure. After about a half a dozen treats he forgave me and started acting normal.
A few hours later he started licking at the bandage, so I checked for bleeding (nothing soaked through the gauze under the bandage) so I awarded him the cone of shame and he was fine.
Later in the evening (after his last potty of the night) I took the bandage off completely and he went into hyper grooming mode on it… I mean there was quite a bit of dried blood still so I let him at it and I took a gentle baby wipe and cleaned the rest of the area before loosely re-wrapping it.
How long should I keep it covered for? I don’t want our other dog to lick at it for him if I keep it open and him in just the cone… Should I still have a vet look at it or the other toenail that was raw and bleeding? What are the warning signs to get him to a vet?
Hi Meg,
Goodness you have had your fair share of trouble with these bleeding toenails! Generally, I don’t like to keep a foot bandaged as it has a higher risk of becoming damp under the wrap (infection risk) or the pressure being too tight causing circulation issues. You may have to keep your dogs separated for the night just to be cautious. You can always have your vet check things out for peace of mind, but warning signs would be swelling, discharge, continued pain the next day, or redness of the toe and skin around the nail bed. I hope everything healed well and you have all recovered from the eventful day.
Add me to the list of pup moms who had to address a bleeding quick with cornstarch x2 applications and pressure. It bled a third time and stronger, so I started panicking. I called the local after hours vet hospital and they suggested applying flour. This seemed to work better. The bleeding has stopped and she’s gone out to potty and is now resting. I’m worried about it bleeding again in the night and keep checking on her paw with my flashlight. Sleepless in SoCal…
Hi (not) Foolish mom pup :),
We have all done it and I’m sure I’ll do it again. I am glad the flour helped! Don’t stress too much. I know a bleeding toenail makes a huge mess, but it really isn’t a big deal medically. Get some sleep and file this away for a funny memory later. ♥
Yes I have a little chihuahua I took her to the vet to get her nails trimmed last week , and she’s a bitter only if I’m in the room , unfortunately there’s all new people there at the vet they told me they were gonna get me a muzzle to muzzle her , I told them normally I leave her back there and the people I was used to took care of her and they brought her to me , she was always wagging her tail and happy this last time the vet himself did the trimming he never told me he cut the quick I saw the blood on her blanket , well for the past 3 days she has licked and chewed her back left paw she’s not eating she won’t go outside because her paw is so swelled she’s limping I’m real sure she has a bad infection , it’s hard enough to take her in there now I’m sure after this ordeal she will not Evan let me pick her up and take her in , my ? Is does when the quick is cut cause a bad infection her foot is twice the size from her normal foot hlp plz , when my dog hurts I hurt I wanna cry it looks so bad and she’s not herself thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing back
Hi Mary,
I am sorry your little pup is painful and having trouble with her left rear paw. I understand your concerns and know you want to help her the best way possible. With swelling and possible infection present, you really have no choice but to take her to a veterinarian for an examination. Even if you don’t feel comfortable returning to the same place, you need to find a vet you are comfortable with and try to get an appointment ASAP. I have never had a foot become swollen, like you are describing, after accidentally cutting the quick of a toenail (which I have done many times). It makes me suspicious that something else could be happening that needs to be addressed quickly. I hope you have found some help for your sweet girl. Praying she is healing and resting comfortably.
So yesterday I got a call from my dog sitter stating that she was bleeding from her paw. When I got home I realized she broke her nail, the bleeding had already stopped, so I cleaned it and put some ointment on. Today after work I got home, I had been doing my research, with cornstarch. Thankfully I did because when she came back in from going to the bathroom it was slightly bleeding again. She shows no sign of pain or discomfort, is calm when letting me take care of the area and there is no profuse bleeding. Is there anything else I should worry about?
Hi Kayla,
It sounds like you did all the right things and that you were well prepared. It is rare for a torn toenail to become infected, and they usually heal on their own just fine. I recommend you keep an eye on your dog for the next few days and watch for any signs of pain, discharge, or swelling on the affected paw. If you do notice anything odd, be sure to let your vet know. Best wishes!
Hi, I accidentally cut my dog’s quick… I managed to stop the bleeding fast, and he didn’t bleed much to begin with. But I’m wondering if it will get infected if I let him go outside to poop? Thank you for your time.
Hi S,
I understand your concern about infection risk. Luckily, toenails that have been quicked rarely get infected and usually heal very well on their own. I wouldn’t hesitate to let him go outside as normal. Just keep monitoring the nail for a few days and watch for any swelling, discharge, or signs of pain from your pup. If you do notice anything out of the ordinary, give your vet a call.
Hi, thanks for the useful advice!
Our rottweiler mix pup broke a nail while on a walk. He didn’t rip it from the root, the nail is just severed a bit too short and I can see the exposed pulp. I’m not sure wether he is still bleeding because he keeps licking the spot (if he is then only midly as I can’t tell, his fur is all black) , I first applied betadine on it but he licked it off, then starch. We have a vet appointment in less than 48h for the yearly vaccine boosters and he will be checked. I was wondering if there’s anything else I could do since he licks off anything I apply.
Many thanks!
Hi Gabi,
I hope your dog is better today and the torn nail stopped bleeding. Since the quick is exposed from the injury, it does need to be evaluated by your vet. Sometimes, in these situations, they may have to sedate your boy and trim the torn nail back a bit further or start an oral antibiotic to prevent infection. If the bleeding has stopped, I don’t recommend applying anything else to the torn nail and, if you can, keep him from licking it. I hope your vet visit goes well. Good luck!
Hi! I was cutting my mom’s dog’s toe nails and clipped one too close. This refilled in a lot of bleeding. I didn’t have any corn starch so I ultimately ended up using baking soda. I wanted to know if this was okay and how can I continue to take care of the tire as it heals?
Hi Mattie,
I am glad you were able to get the bleeding stopped. I don’t have any experience with using baking soda on a bleeding toenail so I’m really not sure if it would be painful or cause any issues. Now that the bleeding is stopped, you shouldn’t have any issues with healing. Infection is usually not a concern with most toenails that are clipped too short. If you do see something that concerns you, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet. Best wishes!
No question as you have answered them all in previous responses but just wanted to say a huge thank you for helping me heal from this experience. I was feeling ill all night and like a horrible person for cutting my dog’s nail too short and making her bleed…to a point where I am scared to do it again …..but reading through your post has made me realize that it is a common mistake that most often heals quite quickly so I feel a lot better about the whole thing. Thank you again for your gentle approach to this traumatic situation. Sending love from Calgary, Alberta.
Dear Corina, I’m so delighted that you found this blog post helpful. From what you describe, I’m certain everything will okay with your dog’s nail. 🙂 I hope you are able to try this again because I know you can do it! Bless you!
Hi
Thank you for the article, We clipped my one year old Lab Brandys nail too short tonight. I am mortified. We finally got the bleeding to stop after applying pressure and my mom brought over some Kuikstop. She is now resting in her crate. It bled a lot. I was (and still am) so scared. I feel awful and am just wondering what to do if it starts bleeding again? I used a wet cold compress to hold pressure.
Hi Madison,
Don’t feel bad! This happens to many dog parents at some point so you are not alone. It sounds like you guys did a good job of getting the bleeding to stop. Having her rest in her crate is a great idea so she stays calm and doesn’t disturb the clot. Usually the nail doesn’t start bleeding again, but it it does, just do what you did before—apply pressure and Kwik-stop powder again and it should stop fairly quickly.
I just cut my dogs nails for the first time and on the last one nicked her quick. I didn’t know what to do so I quickly took her to take a bath and then saw it was still bleeding a bit so I applied pressure with a towel while I dried her off then put a bandage on her foot. The bleeding has stopped but idk when to remove the bandage? I don’t want her to lick it and get infected. What do you think?
Hi Paula,
It sounds like you did a good job of applying pressure to get the bleeding to stop. You should be fine to remove the bandage an hour or two after you put it on. Most of the time the nail doesn’t start bleeding again. If it does, you can always apply a bit of styptic powder or cornstarch and put pressure on it again. Thankfully most of the time dogs don’t try to lick the nail and rarely get infections from a nail cut too short, but I definitely understand you wanting to be careful.
I cut my dogs nail to short. It started to bleed and I have direct pressure and cornstarch after that. It looks to be not bleeding now but my pup won’t stop licking. Should I cover it?
Hi Hannah,
Good job on staying calm and using some cornstarch and pressure to get your dog’s nail to stop bleeding. Sometimes you can distract your dog with some attention, chew toys, puzzle toys, doing some obedience commands/learning a new trick, or other things that keep his attention but don’t make him run around and get too excited. Excitement gets their blood pressure up a bit and then the bleeding may occasionally start up again. If it does start bleeding, just do the same thing you did before to get it to stop. You could also consider placing a light bandage over the foot for an hour or so to keep your pup away from it. If you do this please watch carefully to ensure he or she doesn’t chew up or swallow any pieces of the bandage and also check to make sure it isn’t too tight. Usually after the initial period of interest, they leave the foot alone, but if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.
Hi, i just cutted my dogs nail. And still the nail didnt cutted completely.It still remains there. Once i found she is in pain i stopped to cut it. Initially the bleeding was not that much happened. But the very next day as she is start to do something with that leg it is bleeding heavily. My heart is breaking into pieces. I don’t know what to do? Should I cut the injured nail completely. Because i cant put any medicine as the injured nail is still remains there.
Hi Rinu,
If the nail is partially cut but still attached and the bleeding hasn’t stopped, I highly recommend you take your dog to the vet. They can assess the nail and decide if it can be trimmed away. They can also stop the bleeding and prescribe a pain medication if needed. I am sorry you had such a terrible experience. I hope things have resolved and your pup is doing well. Best wishes.
I just cut my dogs nails And I cut the quick. He yelped when it happened but it was barely bleeding and stopped almost immediately. I STILL FEEL AWEFUL!
He was fine all evening until bed, he would whimper ever so often when getting comfy for bed and shiver a bit like he was cold, but my guess he just feels sensitive. Today he’s mopey and shivering a bit still- I cleaned it and wrapped it to keep it clean. But him being so mopey, and minor shakes have me worried ?
I checked it out and it’s very minor. So I know he will be ok but still makes me feel aweful..
Hi Meg,
Please don’t be too hard on yourself about accidently trimming your dog’s nail too short. It happens to everyone, even people like vets, vet techs, and groomers, who trim nails all the time. I’m glad to hear that it was a very minor nick and stopped bleeding quickly. If your dog is still shaking and being mopey and you are concerned, you may want to take him to your veterinarian just to be safe. Nails that are trimmed too short rarely get infected, but it is possible that he could have something else going on that happened to start around when the nail was cut. Also, the next time you trim his nails, you could consider pairing the trimming with a high value food reward to ensure it is a positive experience for him (and feel free to reward yourself with something afterward too ?).
The dreaded happened today. My poor Great Dane! He moved and I cut too far. Definitely the amount of blood can be very frightening but thankfully we both were calm. Gave him treats so hopefully he won’t have such a negative memory of this. The cornstarch worked. Had to reapply Bc I think I didn’t put enough pressure. Had him lay down for a little over an hour would walk around the room, then gave a bathroom break 2 hours later and I think he came into the house too fast and dislodged the clot. But just a quick pressure with corn starch and the slow bleeding stopped.
Hi Giselle,
Don’t feel bad because it happens to everyone at some point! It sounds like you did a great job of staying calm, trying to keep it a positive experience, and using the cornstarch to stop the bleeding. It does sometimes happen that they dislodge the clot, but you did the right thing by applying more cornstarch. Hopefully this will soon be behind you both. ❤
Hi! My puppy flinched while I was clipped his nails and I just barely nicked his quick – essentially zero blood, and he does not have a limp, nor is he paying any mind to it. However, I want to make sure I’m doing everything in my power to prevent an infection, especially since he’s so young. Thank you!
Hi Katie,
I think it is great that you are working on nail trimming with your puppy, so don’t let this experience discourage you. Accidently trimming a nail too short is easy to do, but thankfully the infection risk is low in most situations, so special infection-control precautions like antibiotics or aggressive scrubbing of the nail are typically not needed. If you have any concerns with how the nail looks, you can always consider calling your veterinarian for a hands-on opinion. It sounds like your puppy was pretty unfazed by the experience but if he seems wary of nail trimming in the future, ensure you pair holding the paw, holding the trimmers, then trimming nails with positive things like treats, toys or attention.
Not a nail-clipping question but the injury is the same. Out on a walk this morning and my pup seems to have caught his claw on something and it’s exposed the quick. He’s not limping and he doesn’t mind me touching it. I’ve cleaned it up and kept him from licking it but is there anything else I can do to help? It seems to get better whilst he’s in the house then looks sore again after his walk x
Hi Claire,
Sorry to hear your pup seems to have ripped a nail. I’m not sure from your description if this is the case or not, but if the nail is broken or cracked near the base, this can be pretty painful (even if your dog isn’t showing you it is painful). In those situations, having the vet visit so the vet can trim the nail back to get rid of the cracked/broken section can be helpful. Sometimes the vet will also want to do some antibiotics or anti-inflammatories depending on how the nail looks. Without being able to see the nail, I can’t say for sure if this is the case, but I wanted to mention it just in case. Hope your dog is on the mend soon!
Hello, I accidentally cut one of my poor pups nails too short two days ago. It stopped with some pressure but he is a puppy who easily gets riled up when I let him outside to go to the bathroom and it has opened up and started bleeding again—it stops after just a minute of being inside and keeping him calm. Is there something I can do besides keeping him calm to avoid this from happening until he is fully healed?
Hi Beccah,
Sorry to hear your puppy’s nail keeps opening up. Occasionally that does happen for a few days when they get excited or rub the nail on something. If he is running free in the yard, you could see if being on a leash would keep him calmer. In some cases we recommend a bandage or bootie, but those can be hard to keep on a puppy and could pose a GI obstruction risk so only try those if you know he won’t try to swallow or chew them up. Using styptic powder rather than time/pressure or cornstarch may give a better seal on the nail, so you could also consider trying that if you haven’t already. Otherwise it is tincture of time unfortunately.
I have pup and did as most do when cutting his nails for first time, was on second to last nail and he jumped as I squeezed the clippers and cut to short, I applied pressure as I have learned in past to stop bleeding and it stopped but soon as he got up to walk around it started again so I re applied pressure and got it stopped again and cleaned and wrapped it, left it bout half hr, looked up cornstarch remedies online and took off bandage to check it and it was good, slow walking he was find but soon as he got worked up, excited, etc it started bleeding again, so I applied cornstarch. My questions are..should I wrap it to keep him from licking the cornstarch off and if so how long do I leave it wrapped? How long before I wash his foot again? Lil worried it may start bleeding again
Hello! We have all been there when we are entering the nail trimming home stretch and suddenly a nail gets cut a bit too short. It sounds like you did a great job of remaining calm, bandaging the foot, and applying the cornstarch when the bleeding picked up again. The great thing about cornstarch is that it is a food, so it isn’t a problem if your dog licks it off. Generally nails stop bleeding fairly quickly so leaving it wrapped for a few hours should be sufficient. By the next day, he should be fine to go back to normal walks and get the foot wet. If the nail continues to bleed or looks abnormal, I would recommend you contact your veterinarian.
I accidentally cut my dogs nail quick and it bled quite a bit for 15-20 min it seemed. I was able to get the bleeding to stop by applying pressure. I’ve been holding him for about 30 min for fear it will start bleeding again. I’m wondering what to do from here? I’m also wondering what to do about walking him/taking him out to go to the bathroom?
Laura, It sounds like you did the right thing by applying pressure and keeping him calm. It is fine to take him for walks or bathroom breaks like usual.
I could my poor Luna’s mail too short and she began to bleed…a lot. I have no corn starch or styptic powder so I made a little bandage out of a clean dry wash cloth and rubber bands. It’s been over an hour and she’s still bleeding. Any advice?
Hi Gabby, Like any wound—humand or animal—with direct pressure for several minutes, bleeding should stop. If she’s continuing to bleed after applying gentle but firm direct pressure to the end of the nail for over 10-15 minutes, I think that warrants a vet visit. I hope you were able to get this all sorted out! Bless you both!
I’ve just cut my elderly pug’s claw far too short and am feeling dreadful. The bleeding stopped after a couple of minutes, and hasn’t restarted, but he keeps licking it and, as he has terrible old dog breath, I’m worried he could cause an infection. Is that a risk? I don’t have any of the powder, but could I put savlon or germoline on it if I wrap it so that he can’t lick it?
Thank you so so much,
Jo
Jo,
Don’t feel bad! It happens to everyone sometimes, and the good news is that it will soon be behind you both. Thankfully, it is fairly rare for an infection to occur from a toenail being cut too short, but I would still try to avoid your dog licking the nail if possible. Consider wrapping the foot for a bit, putting a baby sock over it, or distracting your dog with some attention, treats, or toy (as long as toys and treats don’t get him too excited). Typically antibiotic creams like savlon or germoline are not needed although they shouldn’t be a problem if you did end up using one.
Hi, thanks for this helpful article! I cut my pup’s nail too short yesterday evening – she didn’t seem bothered by it at all (I didn’t even notice at first!), and I stopped the bleeding quickly using cornstarch, but this morning after her walk it started up again. I again used cornstarch to stop the bleeding, but is there anything I can do to prevent the bleeding starting up again? And how long do I need to worry about it opening up again? Thank you
Hi Helena, I’m glad you found the article helpful! Occasionally the nail could open up and bleed again for a day or so after the initial cut, especially if your dog gets excited or happens to scrape that nail against the ground. However, if this continues for several days and/or you are not able to get the bleeding to stop with 10-15 minutes of pressure or after using cornstarch or kwik-stop, I would recommend contacting your veterinarian.
Help. I cut the quick and didn’t have stypic powder so used corn starch. Made my dog lay down for 3 hours, he went outside in the snow and it began bleeding again. This time I went to PetCo and bought some and applied it. I still have him quarantined in the kitchen because I’m afraid he’ll start bleeding again with activity. Should I keep him in there all night? Also, his fur is bloody so when can I wash that paw without it bleeding again?
Hi Amy, Typically keeping your dog calm for a few hours is all that is needed to ensure the bleeding doesn’t start up again, but occasionally, as in your case, the nail may start to bleed again. I think you did the right thing by getting some styptic powder, and it isn’t wrong to keep your dog confined to a small area overnight as long as he isn’t going to get stressed and try to escape or raise his blood pressure, both of which could make the nail start to bleed again. Hydrogen peroxide does a good job of getting blood off of fur, but you should also be fine to carefully wash his foot with mild soap and water the next day.
We trimmed by dogs nail too short & bled very bad. We used the cornstarch trick and it worked….. for a little bit. We put him in his crate and now he’s licking it and won’t stop bleeding. Since the beginning it’s been an hour & a half. Help!!
Hi Megan! I know this comment is too late to help you in the instance you asked about, but if you ever find yourself in that situation again, this is what I would recommend. Start with reapplying the cornstarch or kwik-stop or holding pressure on the nail again. To keep your dog from licking the foot once the bleeding is stopped, consider wrapping the foot for a few hours, putting a sock over the paw (assuming your dog wouldn’t try to chew up or swallow the sock), or distracting your dog with attention, toys or treats (as long as he doesn’t get too excited). Licking the cornstarch off the nail isn’t harmful for your dog since cornstarch is a food, but the licking can dislodge the clot at the end of the quick and cause it to bleed again. If you are unable to get the bleeding to stop again with these tactics, consider contacting your veterinarian.
My teacup Yorkie had a haircut and nail trim on Saturday I did not notice here walking different until Monday then on Tuesday she is holding the foot up some of the time instead of walking on it, so now I am obviously concerned. I looked at her paw and there is no obvious trauma to it so I am assuming it must be her nails being clipped too short. Do I need to see her vet since she periodically holds her foot up instead of walking on it now? Or should this pass within a few days just probably due to discomfort from nail being cut too short.
Hello Donna, I would not expect a dog to hold up a paw from a nail being too short a day or more after the experience. I am definitely concerned that there’s something else going on and would advise you to contact your veterinarian for an exam right away. Thanks!
I just trimmed my dogs nails and I accidentally clipped it to short. It bled for about 2 minutes and it stopped. I cleaned it with warm water and wrapped it with gauze. She was up and walking fine and is now sleeping. She is breathing a little heavier. Could that be due to her being in pain?
Hello Shaina, It may be that she is stressed from the experience or in pain, but in either case, I’d expect that to stop quickly. If the heavier breathing persists more than an hour, I’d alert your veterinarian for recommendations. This article may be helpful to you: https://toegrips.com/dog-vital-signs-heart-respiratory-rate/
I get really nervous when I cut my standard poodle’s (Josie) nails. People have shown me how to do it many times. It’s difficult for me. I just cut her nails – I did the two front paws successfully but when I cut her nail on her back paw I cut into her quick. I could have taken her to a pet store and paid $12 but I’ve got to learn how to do it myself. I went and grabbed the cornstarch and a small plate and put her paw on the starch. I held her nail on the plate as long as I could, but she wouldn’t stay still and there was blood all over the kitchen floor. Then I grabbed a small women’s pad – wrapped it on there and then grabbed an ace bandage and wrapped the whole thing up. I know she’ll be fine and eventually I’ll be good at cutting. I need to get some stypic powder next time I’m at the pet store. ……
Hello Leslie! Great job working through your apprehension about cutting your dog’s nails. It can definitely seem like a nerve-wracking experience, but it doesn’t have to be that way. I would recommend you check out my Nail Trimming Without Fear course. It sounds like you handled things well when you accidently trimmed a nail too short the last time and did a good job of coming up with a creative bandaging solution. I second your idea of grabbing some styptic powder from the pet store and would recommend trying out the powder packing method demonstrated in this blog since the paper plate method didn’t work as well as you would have liked. You are doing a great job learning to cut your dog’s nails, and just remember the old adage, “Practice makes perfect.”
Hi there,
Last night I was trimming my dogs nails for the first time. It was going well. My dog has some light nails and some dark nails. On one of the dark nails I started to trim and squeeze the clippers and he yelped. So I stopped squeezing, but definitely cut part of his quick. He bled for a few minutes. I felt so terrible! I keep thinking about his yelp and how much that must have hurt. He seems fine today. Is it okay to take him for normal walks? Is there concern about infection after cutting the quick? And what signs of infection should you watch for? I really appreciate your time. Thank you!
Hello Courtney, I’m so sorry to hear of your experience. I’m sure it was traumatic for you both, but the good news is that the nail should be perfectly fine. You ask great questions, but I would not expect ongoing pain nor risk of infection. Yes, you may continue your normal walks. And please check out our course at https://courses.drbuzby.com/ if you need help. 🙂
My elderly corgi was not walking much so her nails got long. Over the last three months I have bought every recommended dog nail clipper but was petrified of using them on my dog. The vets wouldn’t mmake an appointment because of covid. Its not considered essential treatment. Finally i got a dog groomer to come who has done a great job . I was so scared for my dog I couldn’t be in the house when the groomer came but apparently she did make one of the nails bleed a bit , not for long. I just wanted to ask since I have read it is painful for a dog for the quick to bleed how painful is it for the dog?. i mean being humans how can we tell if it;s painful , what degree of pain is it for them . I hate to think she suffered.
Hello! The quick is composed of a blood vessel and nerve, which means cutting the quick has the potential to produces pain or discomfort. It would be great to be able to ask a dog to rate the pain on a scale of 1 to 10 but unfortunately they can’t do that, so we are left with observing them and making our best guess. Based on my experience, some dogs don’t react at all when you cut the quick, and other dogs might pull away or give a little yelp. The pain appears to be short-lived, and perhaps similar to mildly stubbing your toe – it hurts for a minute then you forget about it and go on your way like nothing happened. I hope this eases your fears about if your dog suffered when one of her nails was cut too short. We never want to think about our pets being hurt, but I can assure you that you are doing the right thing for her by having her nails trimmed. Standing and walking on nails that are too long can change your dog’s posture and gait, leading to pain which could be longer lasting than the temporary sting of a nail cut too short.
Hiya I have a German Shepard cross staffi and I was cutting nails like I usually do when I cut a little two far down , it hardly bled and she didn’t even flinch but is there anything I should be worried about ? I don’t want to just leave it if there is something I should do , she seems perfectly fine and it only bled for 30 seconds not even that
Hi Sophie, you are good to go! 🙂 It sounds like you BARELY hit the quick and you have a very sweet, tolerant dog. There’s nothing you need to do at this time besides give her a treat and lots of love. ♥️
Hi,
I accidentally cut my pups rear paw nail too short. It bled immediately and I was able to stop the bleed with the styptic powder. However when she went outside she jumped in the pool and came back with a bloody paw. The styptic powder stopped the bleed again, but how long will I have to worry about her nail bleeding again?
Thanks!
Hi Steph, generally these are short term issues. I’m guessing by the next day you won’t have any more problems. If it continues to bleed, that warrants a vet visit.
This is my first time possessing a do, ever, and he is my reality! Like, most likely to an undesirable degree. Asking me not to freeze resembles asking somebody not to inhale, I can’t do it. I knew nothing about this and hurried to google for answers all while holding my little guy’s wiggly, ridiculous paw.
I know how hard it can be, Melissa, but it can be done with much practice and patience. ♥️ I created a course on nail trimming without blood, sweat, or tears, and if you reach out to us at help@toegrips.com and tell the team we’ve “spoken” here, I will help you get the training you need to improve your confidence.
So my six year old yorkie is terrified of having her claws done and won’t let the groomer do it.
We purchased a nail grinder and had a fo and when doing her back right paw she moved as we did it and her back claw is bleeding from the base of her claw nail, we’ve put flour on it to stem the bleeding but she keeps licking it again and starting it off again. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated
Hi Amy,
Using a nail grinder can definitely be a good idea for many dogs! I am guessing from your description that your pup might have gotten a superficial scrape at the nail bed from the grinder when she moved? If so, you can try distracting her with some attention, a chew bone or toy, puzzle toy with treats, etc to keep her from licking at the spot and starting the bleeding again. Alternatively, you could place a light bandage over the paw for an hour or so as long as you are watching carefully to ensure she doesn’t chew and swallow the bandage and you are careful not to place the bandage too tight.
If you think that the nail cracked at the base and that is where the blood is coming from, then you may need to visit your vet. Cracked nails can be quite painful and bleed when they are bumped.
I hope that by now your pup’s nail is doing better! If any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.
I had noticed my dog’s nail which is a yorkie that was long. In this case, her nails are black. We decided to cut her nail, but I’m sure we hit a quickie. She began to bleed so much, and I panicked which of course caused her to bleed even more. We only reached to cut one nail because it’s our first time doing this and we hurt her. After an hour or so, she stopped bleeding. She began walking and jumping on the beds like usually but she did get a bit aggressive. What can I do to help her recover? It hurts me to see her like this.
Hello Jacqueline, I’m sorry to hear your story because it sounds traumatic for all of you, but the good news is that it should resolve quickly without incident. Certainly if there is ongoing lameness or your dog is licking incessantly at the paw, consult your veterinarian. But I would expect no issues physically. However, behaviorally/emotionally, I suspect this will be an issue. I would recommend you check out this video: https://youtu.be/WWZUcLfHXLE You will want to read information on positive reinforcement and counterconditioning by veterinary behaviorists. I hope this helps! ♥️
Yesterday I cut the quick on my chihuahuas front paw and now she wont walk up a step or run, it only bleed for 3 minutes but my friend was hiding the dog tight she said, I’m hoping that my dog will be able to walk up the stairs and run hopefully this is a result of the nail being cut to short
Hi Benjamin, I would recommend a visit to your veterinarian. I would definitely not expect cutting the quick to result in a dog not being willing to walk the next day. I’m concerned that there is another issue here. Wishing your little one a very speedy recovery!
I just quicked my Goldendoodle’s nail. Not only is this my first time making this faux ‘paw’ if you will… This is my first time owning a do, EVER, and he is my world! Like, probably to an unhealthy degree. Asking me not to panic is like asking someone not to breathe, I can’t do it. I knew nothing about this and rushed to google for answers all while holding my pup’s wiggly, bloody paw. Luckily I had some cornstarch shoved in the back of my cupboard which stopped the initial bleeding. But the blood on the floor & cornstarch in the carpet was screaming my name, I swear I heard it, & I HAD to clean.
BIG MISTAKE.
Pierre (my pup) proceeded to chase the vacuum, reopen the wound & undo any and all progress.
So, now I’m sitting on the toilet because the bathroom (only if I’m in it) is the only place he will calm down and rest immediately.
But now I’m just in here, an hour later, legs falling asleep, afraid to move. How long should I fear that movement will cause another murder scene? How long before it closes over enough? Should I cancel his regular morning walk through the neighborhood tomorrow? The next day? A week?
Dear Nicole,
It will be okay, I promise! Unless you chopped off half the nail, which I’m sure you didn’t, you are going to be fine. By the time you receive this answer, all should be well! You may resume normal activity and walk through the neighborhood in the morning. If, for some reason, you really can’t get the bleeding to stop, this would indicate some underlying issue and you should seek veterinary care promptly. But I highly doubt that will be necessary. And I love your faux “paw” comment! 🙂
The same exact thing just happened to my Burt! He’s my first dog too…. I also panicked and googled it leading to baking powder paste (with water) all over the floor,, my bed, the couch, around the house from my foot prints… as the chaos subsided and he was in his crate licked it for a half hour while I was trying to be calm……. lo’ and behold the interwebs prevailed again…. I high tailed it to the pet store to get quick stop. It stops the bleeding, is an anti-septic, and a numbing agent,
soon after he was with me on the couch NoT licking it and then he informed me it was past the usual window of his evening walk time… Now he’s snuggled next to me and I’m going to baby him for a couple days….. quick stop- its 5 bucks on amazon and 10 at your pet store -Much anguish, pain and intense.chaos would have been avoided had I already had the powder (it’s enough to last forever. Consider it like a triple antibiotic ointment in your medicine cabinet but for your dog… you’ll be so glad you did… Burt is a dachshund mix I rescued from animal control last fall… take care everyone ❤️
Hi! I cut my dogs nail too short on accident and it’s stopped bleeding thankfully. Is there anything I can do to help her recovery? Thank you for this amazing article!
Hello Grace, Thank you for your kind comment. I’m so sorry to hear that you cut the nail too short, but it sounds like everything is okay. I doubt there is any need for treatment or recovery of the nail itself. Your main goal for “recovery” is helping your dog relax for future nail trims and associate them with positivity, not pain or fear. You can do this! 🙂
I just cut my puppies quick, didn’t panic, applied pressure with tissue then put a blob of Vaseline on it..I don’t have a stypric stick. It worked and she stopped bleeding. I feel AWFUL…..
Great job not panicking, Lorraine! That’s definitely critical because animals read our emotions so well. Just keep it super positive next time with lots of praise and rewards. 🙂
Hello, my rotty got a trim from a vet tech and cut too short. Apparently didn’t stop at the first one that was quicked and did 2 more. When her anesthesia wore off (she had been down for dental cleaning) she began to cry and was desperately licking her foot and trying to get comfortable! How long does that pain last? Should I be worried she’s in pain hours later?
Hi Colin, It depends on how “deeply” she was quicked. It’s unfortunate that this happened, but hopefully it’s fairly minor/superficial, in which case I would expect her to be fine by the next day. Please do follow up with your vet if you have any concerns about pain or infection in her paws.
What is your opinion on the grinders that are advertised?
Hi Pat,
Dremeling the nails is an excellent way to keep a dog’s nails short, if your dog is cooperative for the tool and you are comfortable handling the dremel. Please note that while it’s true that a dremel cauterizes as it shortens the nails (so there is no blood), the dog will still feel pain if you get the nail “too short”. Having outstanding technique, no matter what your tool of choice, is important. 🙂
Ok I have a pitbull mix that from day one has been totally crazed when you want to cut his nails it takes two people to cut his nails and this last time we cut one to short how do I calm him enough to cut them without causing him harm.
Hi Janell,
I’m sorry to hear this. I know how frustrating this must be for you and terrifying for your poor dog. The answer to your question is a LOT of patience, positivity, and “counterconditioning”, demonstrated here by Dr. Sophia Yin: https://drsophiayin.com/videos/entry/training_a_dog_to_enjoy_toenail_trims/
I would recommend asking your veterinarian about a referral to a veterinary behaviorist for help. Your problem is not uncommon and I wish more people would seek out help, as you are, so that nail trimming is not a life-long trauma for their dogs.
My dog would not let me near her nails with clippers took her to a groomer to try they said she will have a heart a tack she was so stressed,I bought a very quiet grinder turned it on and left it beside her gave her small treats, then progressed to turning it on and just touched her paw each time giving a treat, then touched her nail again a treat built up the time still treat and now she actually lies down I’m still over the moon how good she is she still gets some treats every couple of nails ,secret is not to rush
Great work, Alice! I love a good happy-ending story!
I really appreciate this article. You really have a way with getting to the matter, and not sugar coating it at all. But, still you made me feel better. Thank you for the pictures too. It’s so hard when the nails are black.
Hello Valda,
Thanks so much for your kind words. It IS super intimidating with black nails, but I go into detail in my course: https://courses.drbuzby.com/courses/dog-nail-trimming on how to trim black nails without hitting the quick. There are objective landmarks that you can learn to identify to avoid cutting into that blood and nerve supply. I definitely want you to be encouraged that you CAN do this! Be encouraged!