Here's What You Should Do If You Trim Your Pup's Nails Too Short

If you trim your pup’s nails on your own, you are probably aware of the limit to how short you can cut their claws.

This is determined by the quick, which is the nail bed on a pup’s paw. It’s not always easy to see, but when you cut into it, it can be very painful, damage nerves, and will bleed a lot. But what do you do when this happens? Here’s a guide and some options.

1. Stay calm

The bleeding is likely to stop on its own as long as your pup does not have a disorder that prevents blood clotting, so know that your pup is safe.

2. Put pressure on the area

This will help the blood to clot. Use clean cloth and firmly press down onto the bleeding area. Stop if your pup will not tolerate it.

3. Use a cold compress

This can lessen the blood flow. Use ice if you do not have a special cold compress. Do keep in mind that this may be an unpleasant feeling for pups on top of their painful nails, so do not force it.

4. Use Stypic powder

These powders will make the blood clot much more quickly. However, they will burn and sting a lot, so if you are afraid that your pup may have a negative association with this, then do not use it.

5. Put on a bandage

The injured area will need to be protected, so wrap up the whole paw – not just the specific nail – and make sure it is just tight enough not to slip off without being too firm. The easiest way to check this is by making sure you can slip a finger underneath the bandage.

Now that you know what to do, remember that prevention is better than cure! Educate yourself on safely trimming a pup’s nails. Cutting into the quick once can render your pup with a serious phobia of ever having his nails or paws handled again, so be careful. Do like and share if you found this useful!