Perhaps no other care issue scares pets and their owners more than clipping nails. This task may sound simple (especially with so many dog nail clippers these days) but using the wrong tool or doing it the wrong way can be intimidating and frustrating for your dog. Get you close to its feet. Also, if you cut the wrong blood vessel/vein, and the nerve passes through the nail, then the dog's paw will bleed.
Clipping a bleeding dog's toenail is a common problem, but luckily, you can stop the bleeding by applying some simple solutions suggested by Lucky Pet Shop in the following articles:
Steps to trim dog nails
Wait until your dog is relaxed and calm. The best way is to give them a walk first.
Check for and remove dirt and debris left on the toenail.
Keep your dog still by placing one arm around its neck to prevent it from raising its head. If your dog jumps up or refuses to stay still, try petting him gently and putting him next to him.
Using sharp pliers, snip a slight angle at the tip of each nail. Be careful not to cut too close to the flesh as the toenails have veins. If you accidentally cut a bleeding dog's toenail, apply some styptic powder to temporarily stop the bleeding.
After the toenails are trimmed, sand the edge rings with a dog nail grinder.
What to Do About Bleeding Toenails in Dogs
What would you do if you accidentally injured your pet's toenail? It is recommended that you should have emergency services on hand to quickly stop bleeding, relieve pain, and avoid infecting your dog's nails.
The easiest and most effective way to stop a dog's nail bleeding is to use styptic powder or a styptic pen, available at most major pet stores and pharmacies. Be aware, however, that the styptic powder can cause a stinging sensation at first, so be prepared to hold the dog tightly while applying the medication.
How to stop bleeding with hemostatic powder when clipping dog nails:
- Use a cotton pad soaked in water to apply the styptic powder directly to the bleeding area of your dog's toenail.
- Apply gentle pressure to the incision for at least 30 seconds
- If bleeding continues, reapply the powder
- If your dog is calm, you can dip your dog's nails directly into the powder. That should stop the bleeding almost immediately. Instead, if your dog is not keeping calm, then you can use the methods mentioned above. When using the applicator, be sure to keep moderate pressure on the nail for at least 30 seconds.
How to cut a dog's nails to stop bleeding with a styptic pen:
- Dip the tip of the pencil in clean water or put a drop of water on the tip of the pencil to moisten it.
- Take a styptic pen and swirl it over the bleeding dog's toenail cut.
- The silver nitrate in these pencils can cause the blood to clot quickly, clogging injured blood vessels.
If you don't have any styptic powder at home, don't worry, there are some common household items/food items you can use to stop your pet's bleeding:
- Corn flour
- Flour
- Baking soda
- A bar of soap
With any of these methods, it's important to keep your dog calm. Also, for them to be effective, you need to hold them in place for a few minutes to allow the blood to clot. Be aware that while these methods work, they won't stop the bleeding right away like tampons.
Let your dog rest after applying the above nail clipping methods to stop the bleeding
It is important to keep the dog still for at least 30 minutes after the bleeding stops. It is recommended to wrap the dog's nails with a wound dressing to prevent further injury.
Trimming your dog's nails should be part of their normal grooming routine. If you are not used to using scissors, dog nail clippers are the best choice for you.
Most nail injuries are minor and the bleeding stops within 20 minutes using home remedies.
The above solutions are suitable for small nail cuts. If your dog's toenails are bleeding for more than 20 minutes, it's time to call the veterinarian.