Posted by If you are a pet owner, then the most difficult task for you would be trimming your dog’s nails. If you cut your dog nail too short, nail too short, bleeding will be immense, leaving your dog in stress and discomfort. So, you need to be more careful while performing this task.
The dog’s nails have a nerve that runs through the center of the nail, called quick. In dogs with white nails, quick is visible. While trimming the dog nails, you must stop cutting when you see the red colored quick. But in dogs with dark-colored nails, it is hard to find the quick, making your job more tricky.
If you cut the quick accidentally, it will lead to bleeding and a huge pain to your fur baby, and you will lose your dog’s trust. In addition to your dog’s pain, the bleeding paw will cause a huge mess on your furniture, floor, and other house objects. And it would be a lot more difficult to handle your dog. This situation is not life-threatening at all, but it is still too painful for your dog.
What to Do If You Cut Your Dog Nail Too Short?
While trimming the dog nail, you may face a situation when you cut your dog nail too short, painful enough for the dog. This is quite normal when trimming the dog nail. Even the professional groomers sometimes cut dog nail too short, which leads to bleeding. So, be patient and calm.
If you cut dog nail too short, painful state arises for the dog, but the first thing you can do is not get frightened at once. Instead, you should hold on to your senses and try not to panic. Your behavior will directly affect the dog, and he will sense your nervousness. If you panic, then your dog will be scared and uncontrollable.
When you cut your dog nail, then make some necessary arrangements to manage any accidental situation. This preparation will help you to deal with bleeding if you cut your dog nail too short. You must keep a styptic pencil or clotting powder in your reach so in case a dog nail is cut too short, you can immediately respond to the situation. You can find styptic powder from a nearby pharmacy or a store.
If you accidentally cut your dog nail too short, bleeding and pain can cause the dog to yap and jump out of place. You should immediately dip the dog’s bleeding paw directly in the blood clotting powder as a sudden response, or you can use the styptic pencil. You should also try to put pressure on the bleeding paw with a clean cloth.
It is expected that the bleeding should stop. If the bleeding continues after 20 – 30 minutes, you should visit the veterinarian to avoid any serious condition.
Cut Your Dog Nail Too Short- How Long To Heal?
If you cut your dog nail too short and you are worried about the healing process, then calm down. The bleeding may stop within minutes, but the dog will feel better within 48 hours. The complete recovery process can take up to two weeks. If you do not give first aid to the dog and leave bleeding, the dog may face different circumstances.
If you cut your dog nail too short, infection may develop if the wound is left untreated. The continuous bleeding and pain can put your dog in immense pain and discomfort.
So, to avoid any serious condition, be careful when trimming the dog nails and always select the trimming tools that suit you and your dog.
Tools for Trimming Dog Nails and the Best One for You
To avoid cutting your dog nail too short, find the best nail trimming tools for your dog .You have two different options for tools when trimming the dog nails. The most used tools for trimming dog nails are dog nail clippers and grinders.
Dog Nail Clippers
Nail clippers are the most common tool, and they come in different shapes and sizes. Scissors and pliers shape of nail clippers are mostly preferred. The scissors shape clippers come in small and big sizes. Select the one that is most suitable for your dog depending upon the size of your dog. If the dog’s size is bigger, then go for a bigger one.
Plier-shaped clippers have nail guards and prevent cutting of the quick. If your dog has thick and hard nails, go for the plier-shaped clippers.
As a beginner, you should use dog nail clippers as they provide better precision and exert less pressure on the dog nails.
Dog Nail Grinders
Dog nail grinders are also effective in trimming overgrown dog nails. The dog nail grinders grind the nails slowly and gradually. This gives a nice shape to the nails compared to the nail clippers. Some owners like the nail grinders as it creates less pressure on the dog and the owner. Other dogs get annoyed by it, creating vibrations and a buzzing sound, so they get stressed.
Please select the best tool for your dog that creates less stress and does not make it painful.
5 Easy Steps to Cut the Dog Nails
When you hear the clicking and tapping sound when your dog walks around, then this is the right time to cut your dog nails. But if you miss this session and the nail continues to grow, it would be more difficult for you when you clip the overgrown dog nails. When the nail grows, the quick in the center of the dog nail also grows and reaches the lowest part of the nail.
If you’re trimming the overgrown dog nails, be more cautious. Never cut the overgrown nails in one attempt. Otherwise, you will cut your dog nail too short, resulting in bleeding and infection.
There are some simple steps that you can follow while cutting the dog nails:
1. Before you start the trimming session, make your dog relax, choose a comfortable and favorite spot of your canine friend. Always take help from a second person and award treats to the dog. Make your dog familiar with the nail cutting tool and let him sniff it.
2. Hold the dog’s paw tight when you start cutting but do not scare the dog. Always go for a smaller trim. Place the clipper at the curved end of the nail that touches the floor and is flattened now. When cutting the nails, always look for the quick, red in color. It is visible in dogs with light-colored nails but hard to find in dogs with dark-colored nails.
3. Then move to the dewclaw (on the dog’s forearm) often neglected in the grooming session. If the dewclaw is left growing, it can overgrow and curl enough to grow into the dog’s skin, which would be much more painful.
4. After each trim, reward your dog with his favorite treat and make the activity fun and enjoyable. So that the dog does not become stressed. You can keep a gap of three to eight weeks between trimming sessions.
5. If you cut your dog nail too short and it starts bleeding, then stop the trimming session and continue it at another time when your dog is relaxed and stress-free.
FAQs
How to Stop Dog Nail Bleeding if You Cut Your Dog Nail Too Short ?
If you accidentally cut dog nail too short, bleeding and pain can cause the dog to yap and jump out of place. You should immediately dip the dog’s bleeding paw directly in the blood clotting powder as a sudden response, or you can use the styptic pencil. You should also try to put pressure on the bleeding paw with a clean cloth.
Will A Dogs Nail Stop Bleeding On Its Own?
The dog nail can stop bleeding but infection may develop if the wound is left untreated. The continuous bleeding and pain can put your dog in immense pain and discomfort.
Can I Walk My Dog After Cutting the Quick?
Cutting the quick is a very painful situation for dog but you can take the dog on walks after making necessary arrangements to stop the bleeding. And make sure the nail does not bleeds anymore.