My Dog Broke a Nail. What Do I Do Now 

My Dog Broke a Nail. What Do I Do Now? 

Unfortunately, broken toenails are a common injury that our four-legged friends experience. Think about it. Dog paws touch everything from grass to rough terrain. This means that their toenails will take a hit at times. You may be wondering what to do if your dog breaks a nail. This article will discuss the details of broken toenails in dogs and what to do when it happens.

Whether you keep your dog’s nails trimmed or not, dogs can still experience nail injuries from minor trauma to the area. Dogs can crack claws while jumping, get their nails snagged on the carpet, or damage their nails while digging. No matter the cause of the dog’s nail trauma, it should be taken seriously because it can be painful to your four-legged friend.

What do you do if your dog has broken a nail? Nail injuries can yield pain and infection. Therefore, we recommend that you contact your veterinarian for further care. If the injury occurred at home, there are a few things that you can try first.

  1. Restrain and examine. You should restrain the dog that allows you to examine the injured area. Be sure to protect yourself from any biting. Once again, this is a sensitive area for your pup. There may be a possibility that your dog is in too much pain, which will prevent you from examining the site yourself. If this is the case, visit your vet before moving forward.
  2. Address bleeding. Your dog may be bleeding. If so, apply light pressure to the area. You may even dip the nail in a little bit of corn starch to stop the bleeding. Visit the vet if you cannot control the bleeding after 10-15 minutes.
  3. Remove. If a small section of the nail is hanging from the area, you can attempt to remove it yourself. Please only try to do this if your dog is tolerating the pain. Otherwise, you will need to visit your vet.

Nail injuries are excruciating for dogs. Once again, you should always visit your vet if your dog’s nail has become cracked or seriously injured. There is a high possibility of infection, and it is always safe to see professional guidance.