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Cutting Dog Nails Too Short (stop bleeding in 3 easy steps)

Last updated on December 18th, 2023 at 02:37 am

Nail trimming is an essential part of your dog’s regular grooming routine. Cutting dog nails too short is not an uncommon thing. It causes dogs to bleed and frightens them during the next trimming time. But don’t worry! You only need to follow the 3 easy steps below to stop the bleeding. 

Cutting dog nails too short. What happens?

No other grooming task can frighten owners and pets more than cutting a dog’s nails. This task seems easy, but a misplaced snip might hurt your dog and cause them to hate grooming.

Many dogs have solid black nails that make it hard to see the quick, which contain live blood vessels. As a result, cutting dog nails too short accidentally is more common in dogs with black or dark nails.

When you cut their nails, it’s critical to only cut off the tip because cutting past the quick can cause bleeding and pain for your furry friend. Even though this bleeding is usually not life-threatening, we certainly don’t want our best friends to suffer any pain, especially from our mistakes! Furthermore, blood might spill onto furniture, clothing, and carpet if you don’t stop bleeding quickly.

How to stop dog nail bleeding at home?

cutting dog nails too short

Cutting dog nails too short is a common problem when trimming their nails, and it can cause bleeding. But luckily, the easy steps below can help!

Step 1: Don’t panic! It will be alright.

Dogs can feel your emotions. If you panic, they’re likely to be as well. Generally, cut quicks don’t bleed much, and with the correct clotting agent and pressure, bleeding will stop pretty fast.

Step 2: Use a clotting agent

The best clotting agent that professional groomers and veterinarians use is styptic powder. This powder is the quickest and most efficient method. The styptic powder acts as a topical anesthetic and antihemorrhagic agent to help ease pain and stop bleeding. It can stop minor bleeding in 30 seconds or less.  You can find these clotting powders at almost any pet store. And it’s a good idea to keep some in your pet’s first aid box.

Step 3: Follow-up 

How to stop dog nail bleeding without styptic powder

Once the dog nail bleeding has stopped, wash the wounded nail with lukewarm water and bandage it to avoid licking and infection. It’s crucial to keep your dog off his feet for at least 30 minutes after the bleeding has stopped to prevent him from re-injuring the nail. You can also wrap his paw in bandages to avoid further injury.

If the bleeding continues after 20 – 30 minutes, take your dog to the vet immediately. Also, consult your veterinarian if the toe becomes red, swollen, or does not improve after a few days.

How to cut dog’s nails properly?

When you hear your dog’s nails clicking on the ground as he walks across the floor or hard surface, it’s time to trim their nails. Trimming their nails little by little is the best way. You can cut a small length of nails (about 1/16 inch) and continue making little cuts and checking the bottom of their nails after each one.

How often should you clip your dog’s nails

Keep in mind that the longer you let their nails grow, the longer the quick will grow. To find the quick, you need to trim slowly and check the bottoms of your dog’s nails regularly to see whether you’re getting close to the quick, which signals you should stop.

Our furry companions have a very long memory, so hurting their quick will almost certainly have a negative impact on the next nail trimming time. It might take a while to get them comfortable with this grooming again, but they will if you do the right things.

Use the right tools and trim slowly. Make sure to give them lots of treats and praise to make the experience more positive.

Conclusion

cutting dog nails too short

Cutting dog nails too short accidentally is more common in dogs with black or dark nails. Just cut off the tip because cutting past the quick can cause bleeding and pain for your furry friend. Follow 3 easy steps above to stop bleeding!

However, it’s okay if you don’t feel confident doing it yourself. You can always take your dog to the vet’s office or a groomer instead.

Last but not least…

Many readers have loved learning how to train their dogs based on scientific methods from a free workshop conducted by Dr. Alexa Diaz (one of the top service dog trainers in the U.S.) and Eric Presnall (host of the hit Animal Planet TV show “Who Let the Dogs Out”) at the K9 Training Institute. In the free workshop, you’ll discover:

    1. How to train your dog using body language rather than verbal cues
    2. The 3 key techniques that service dog trainers use to train dogs and how you can use them too
    3. The most important step that “normal” dog owners have been missing (this is very important to get your dog’s attention, and it works 100% of the time)
    4. How to stop bad behaviors like excessive barking, pulling on the leash, jumping, etc.
    5. Why a lot of dog owners are unable to establish the amazing bond that service dog trainers have with their dogs

Etc.

Whether your dog is a puppy or an adult, this pre-recorded workshop will help you train them successfully. You may not want to miss the chance to learn these groundbreaking techniques. Here’s the free workshop.

About us: Pet Chao is a community for Asian dog breed enthusiasts. Our goal is to keep you and your four-legged friend healthy and happy by providing valuable resources and fostering a like-minded community.

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