What causes a bleeding dog nail and how to treat it?

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Dog nails consist of a hard keratin exterior, covering nerves and blood vessels (frequently referred to as the 'quick'). Damage to the nail or nail bed, where the skin surrounds the nail, can cause significant pain and bleeding. Dogs can damage their nails a variety of ways. Catching their nails or cutting nails too short are common ways that nails will bleed. Longer nails tend to become caught on objects more readily, thus more likely to become damaged or broken. Dogs can also have medical conditions affecting the nail growth and overall health of the nail, which can also make them more prone to breakage. If your dog does damage their nail, either by accident or by cutting at home, try not to panic. Keep yourself safe by appropriately restraining your dog with a muzzle or another person helping to hold your dog. Even the sweetest natured dog can instinctively bite from pain. Safely stopping the bleeding is the next priority, which can be done by applying a stypic powder to the nail to stem the bleeding. If you do not have this at home, you can also try sticking the nail into a clean bar of soap. If the bleeding has not stopped after a few minutes, it is best to phone your vet for advice.

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