How to Cut a Dog's Broken Nail

  1. Home
  2. Grooming
  3. How to Cut a Dog's Broken Nail
Easy
15 - 30 Minutes
1 Day

Need regular grooming services?

Browse Wellness Plan Options Browse Wellness Plan Options

Introduction

Chances are good that at some point in time, your pooch is going to break a nail. While Lucy can't turn to you and say "Oh no! I broke a nail!", you should keep an eye out for any visible signs of limping. A broken toenail can be very painful for Lucy and could lead to an expensive vet bill if not taken care of properly. The nail might just be cracked, ripped and bleeding, or even bent back at a painful 90 degrees. It can happen during a walk, during playtime, or during any other activity that could lead to her nails being snagged and damaged. 

Dog's Perspective

The last thing Lucy wants to deal with is a broken nail, especially if it isn't causing her any pain. But when it is painful or bleeding, she is going to come to you for help. Keep in mind, there are three distinct types of broken nail: completely broken, ripped off and bleeding, broken or cracked, but still loosely attached, and broken or cracked and firmly attached. No matter the type, they all should be dealt with quickly.

The Torn Nail Method

Effective
0 Votes
Shampoo
Nail Clipper
Nail File
Towel
Step
1
Remove the torn piece
Depending on how thick the hanging nail is, you need to use nail clippers or cutters to cut the nail off just above the point where it is ripped. By cutting this far back, you can cut evenly, giving Lucy the best chance of having the nail grow back. But, there is also a very high risk of cutting into the quick, resulting in bleeding, so caution is important.
Step
2
Put an end to the bleeding
Since chances are good that cutting Lucy's nail back is going to result in bleeding, you need to be ready for it. You can run out to the store and pick up a container of styptic powder or a styptic pencil, as both can be applied to the end of the nail and will stop the bleeding quickly. Alternatively, you can use cornstarch or regular flour and pressure to stem the flow.
Step
3
Clean and disinfect
Using warm water, bathe Lucy's foot, paying close attention to the injured toe. Wash all traces of dirt and debris from her paw. Dry it off and apply a vet-approved antiseptic spray on the toe and the surrounding area to disinfect it. The spray should also help to reduce the amount of pain Lucy is feeling.
Step
4
Put a bandage on it
While Lucy is not likely to be very pleased, you need to cover the damaged toe with a bandage. Try a loose bandage at first, using tape to keep it in place. If this fails, you can also try putting a clean sock over her paw and taping it in place. As a last resort, you can always put her in the "cone of shame", better known as the Elizabethan collar. This will keep her from being able to reach the paw and bite or chew on the bandage while the toe heals.
Step
5
Daily cleaning
Be sure to change the bandage on a daily basis until the broken nail has had plenty of time to heal. Gently wash her paw and reapply an antibiotic ointment to the wound before you cover it back up. Continue to monitor the nail in the days afterwards.

The Dangling Piece Method

Effective
0 Votes
Shampoo
Nail Clipper
Nail File
Towel
Step
1
Remove the dangling piece
Using nail cutters, remove the dangling piece. If there isn't one, remove the broken area. Be cautious while doing this, as you want to reduce the amount of damage you cause.
Step
2
Bleeding happens
Chances are good that the toe is going to bleed out of the end of the nail if it's already been damaged. You need to stop this by using a styptic pencil or a powder that is specifically made to stop the bleeding.
Step
3
Clean up time
Using warm water, wash the paw thoroughly and check it over for other signs of injury. You should also be looking for pus or discharge. If you see either of these, take Lucy straight to the vet to get it properly treated.
Step
4
Wrap it up
Apply an antibiotic cream to the wound and loosely wrap the paw with a bandage. You may have to be creative to get Lucy to leave the bandage in place. Consider covering it or placing a cone around her neck to prevent chewing or licking.
Step
5
Into the crate
Have Lucy go into her crate and close the door behind her. This will help to keep her immobilized while the wound heals. It will only take a few days to fully heal, making it much easier for Lucy to be back up on her feet. Be sure to give her a treat or two to let her know she has been a good girl throughout the process.

Caution & Considerations

  • Be very careful when trimming broken nails, as you could cause Lucy pain. If necessary, you may want to take her to a professional groomer if you're uncertain whether or not you could manage to treat the nail properly. 
  • Be sure you have a styptic pen or powder for treating a bleeding quick on hand as there is a good chance you are going to cut into the quick at least once.
  • Always use the right type of nail cutters. This means using side cutters for small nails and guillotine style for thicker nails.
  • Wash the damaged nail thoroughly. Dry it off, and apply an antibiotic ointment to the nail and then bandage it to reduce the risk of infection. Remember all of these essential steps as skipping them may result in injury.
  • Change the bandage daily to keep the wound as clean as possible. Even if the bandage seems clean, replace it to prevent any chance of infection. 
  • If you see any signs of drainage or pus, take Lucy directly to the nearest animal emergency room to get it treated. 

Conclusion

Dealing with a broken nail is not that much different than keeping nails groomed on a regular basis. The biggest differences you may notice are Lucy limping or acting like the foot is causing her significant pain. The important thing to keep in mind is that not taking care of a broken or cracked nail is sure to lead to infection, so use plenty of antibiotic spray and bandages until her toe is healed. 

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

More Dog Grooming Guides

Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Book My Walk!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd