Trimming your dog’s nails regularly is an important part of basic canine health care, but pet parents occasionally cut one of their pet’s nails too short. This often results in a bleeding nail, which can be distressing for you and your doggo.
But don’t panic – just remain calm and read on. You can stop a dog claw from bleeding in several different ways, which I’ll share below.
Four Ways to Stop a Dog Claw from Bleeding: Home Remedies
There are four things you can use to help stop your dog’s claw from bleeding, and you’ll almost certainly have one or two of them on hand.
However, no matter which one you use, you’ll want to do one important thing first: Apply pressure to the nail tip with a bit of clean gauze for at least five minutes. This will help contain the mess and jumpstart the clotting process.
Once you’ve done this, you can try any of the following four methods:
1. Use a styptic pen or powder.
Styptic powder (which is sometimes compressed into pen form, making it look kind of like a crayon) is a commercially manufactured product that is made with ferric subsulfate and a few other chemicals. It helps constrict blood vessels and encourage clotting.
To use a styptic pen, you can just press it gently against the cut end of your dog’s nail. The powder works in the same way, but it’s usually easiest to pour a little bit of the powder into a small container and then dip your dog’s nail into the powder.
You can find styptic powder or a styptic pen at Amazon or Chewy, and your local drugstore probably carries it too.
2. Use cornstarch.
Cornstarch is another substance that will help stop your dog’s claw from bleeding. It essentially works by drying and thickening the blood, which helps promote clot formation.
You can use cornstarch just like you would with styptic powder – simply pour some into a small container and then dip your dog’s nail inside.
3. Use baking soda.
Baking soda works in the same basic way that cornstarch does; it helps to dry and thicken the blood, which promotes clotting. Apply baking soda just like you would cornstarch, by pouring some in a small container and dipping your dog’s nail in it.
4. Use a bar of soap.
A bar of soap will also work to help stop your dog’s claw from bleeding. Simply press your dog’s nail into the bar using very gentle pressure for a minute and then pull the nail back out from the soap. This will often cause a “plug” to form in the nail, which will stop the bleeding.
Try to use a gentle, all-natural soap when taking this approach and avoid using soaps with heavy dyes or perfumes.
Why Do Dog Nails Bleed When You Trim Them?
Ideally, your dog’s nails should not bleed when you trim them; bleeding means you’ve made a (common) mistake.
Your dog’s nails are primarily made up of dead tissue, called keratin — essentially the same thing your own nails are made of. Keratin doesn’t bleed when trimmed.
However, unlike human nails, your dog’s claws have a blood vessel that travels through the nail. This blood vessel, which is called the “quick,” should normally stop some distance from the tip of the nail. But it can extend pretty close to the tip if your dog’s nails haven’t been trimmed in a long time.
You want to trim off the dead tissue from the nail, while taking care to avoid this internal blood vessel. This is not only important for preventing your dog’s nail from bleeding all over the place but also to prevent pain, as there are also nerves that travel along with the quick.
This is pretty easy with white nails, as you can normally see the quick. It’ll appear like a greyish or pinkish line extending from the base of your dog’s nail. Black nails don’t have a visible quick, so it can take some practice to learn how far back you can trim your pet’s nails. In these cases, a slow and careful approach is best. Just start trimming a very small amount of keratin off at a time, while examining the cross section of the nail; the quick, if visible, will look like a circle or oval inside the nail.
Pet Care Pro Tip: Always use high-quality nail clippers to achieve clean cuts and help prevent torn or ragged nail edges.
Common Dog Nail Bleeding Questions: FAQ
Still have questions about stopping your dog’s claw from bleeding? Check out a few of the most common questions and answers below!
What can I put on my dog’s claw to stop bleeding?
Baking soda, cornstarch, and styptic powder will all stop your dog’s claw from bleeding, though it’s wise to apply pressure to the wound first with a clean piece of gauze.
How long does it take for a dog’s nail to stop bleeding?
It can sometimes take 10 minutes or more for a dog’s nail to stop bleeding, though the combination of pressure and styptic powder, cornstarch, baking soda, or soap will usually help put an end to the bleeding.
Does baking soda stop bleeding?
Baking soda will usually stop minor bleeding, such as the kind that happens when you accidentally nick your dog’s quick.
What is a substitute for styptic powder for dogs?
Baking soda or cornstarch can both be used in the same way that styptic powder is, and you can also use a bar of scent- and dye-free soap to “plug” the wound.
Does it hurt when you cut a dog’s quick?
Yes, in most cases, dogs who have their quick cut will experience pain. This can cause your dog to develop a negative association with nail trimming, which highlights the importance of proper nail-trimming technique.
What if I don’t want to cut my dog’s nails myself?
Regular nail trimming is an important part of overall canine health care, as overgrown nails may become snagged on things (which can result in a broken nail) or even cause postural changes, which can lead to arthritis and other problems. But you don’t have to trim your dog’s nails yourself – most veterinary clinics and groomers will trim your dog’s nails for a nominal fee.
Good Luck with Your Next Nail Trimming!
Hopefully, one of the solutions above will help you stop your dog’s claw from bleeding but remember to seek out veterinary care if the bleeding won’t stop, or you see any signs of infection develop. And most importantly, try to avoid clipping your dog’s claws too far in the future.
And now that you’ve learned how to stop your dog’s nail from bleeding, check out some information about some other common dog-care issues owners need to know:
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