How to Stop Bleeding in a Dog's Toenail

Dog toenails contain a blood vessel called the "quick." This quick is often accidentally cut due to an injury to the toenail or, more commonly, during the process of trimming the toenails. Although, bleeding from the toenail will stop on its own after a few minutes, you can take some measures to hasten the process. While applying styptic products, your dog will resist the stinging sensation, so be prepared to hold him firmly.

Things You'll Need

  • Toenail clipper
  • Wash cloth
  • Silver nitrate pencil
  • Styptic powder
  • Corn flour
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash the injured nail with warm running water. This will remove any blood in the area as well as dislodge any debris between the toe and the nail.

    • 2

      Wet a clean washcloth with warm water and press it firmly on the injured area. Hold in this position for around 20 minutes to allow the bleeding to stop.

    • 3

      Use styptic products to stem the bleeding. Pencils containing silver nitrate help in forming a clot and stop bleeding. Hold the black end of the stick touching the bleeding nail and rotate gently until the bleeding stops. Alternatively, use styptic powder, which has the same effect. Dip your pet's nail into the styptic powder and then apply gentle pressure by holding down a paper towel against the nail. Styptic products sting, so make sure you hold your dog firmly in place before applying them.

    • 4

      Make a thick paste with corn flour and water and apply this to the injured area. Repeat the application as many times as necessary to stop the bleeding. This can be useful in case you don't have any styptic products on hand.

    • 5

      Don't allow your dog to move for at least 30 minutes after the injury. This is important to allow complete sealing of the cut and prevent bleeding from reinjury.