What Happens If You Cut a Dog’s Quick?
If you cut the quick on a dog’s nail, it’s going to bleed and since it’s a nerve, it will be painful for a dog for a few minutes.
How much the dog’s quick bleeds when it’s accidentally cut depends on how far down the quick was cut.
If the quick was just barely knicked, you might only see a small dot of blood and all you’ll have to do is apply a little pressure to the nail with a clean towel.
If the quick was cut farther down, you’ll need to apply pressure and use a clotting powder like Qwik Stop to help stop the bleeding nail.
If you don’t have clotting powder on hand you can use flour, baking soda, cornstarch or a bar of soap to help stop the bleeding.
Can I Walk My Dog After Cutting Their Quick Too Short?
Many dogs will not show any signs of pain after you trim their nail too short. They can go for a short walk as long as they are not painful or limping. If you notice any issues with your dog walking, it would be best to let them rest for a few days. Your dog may not want to go for a long walk or run after its nail has been cut too short.
How to stop a dog’s nail from bleeding in 3 steps
You are trimming your dog’s nails and you accidentally cut the quick (the blood and nerve supply in the dog’s toenail) with your nail trimmers. How do you stop a dog’s nail from bleeding?
The good news is that when you clip your dog’s toenail too short, you can stop the bleeding in three easy steps.
The bad news is that hitting the quick is painful for your dog, nerve-wracking for you, and a bloody mess.
However, as an integrative veterinarian with 20+ years of experience (including teaching countless dog owners how to trim dog nails), I can assure you that you can avoid future nail trimming mishaps and confidently trim your dog’s nails again. You’ll find solutions at the end of this post.
How To Quickly Stop a Bleeding Nail
If you accidentally cut your dog’s nail too short, you probably wonder how long it takes for the quick to heal. Cutting the quick is deeply upsetting, as even the toughest dog will howl and yelp. Many dogs may nip or even bite from the sudden pain, which can certainly make nail trims harder in the future.
In some cases, it’s not our fault. After all, dogs frequently break and damage their nails by digging, running, or doing other activities. So how long can we expect a dog’s broken nail to take to heal?