Broken nails are quite a common injury for dogs. It’s also a painful injury and should be treated quickly. Here’s how to treat a dog’s broken nail:

Is it Common For a Dog to Break a Nail?

Yes. Dogs will naturally wear down their nails, except the dew claw, as they walk on hard surfaces and are active. However, this is usually not enough to keep them from growing too long and causing issues. So, you need to cut your dog’s nails or use a trimmer or grinder once or twice a month to keep them at a length that keeps movement comfortable for your dog.

The frequency of nail trims and general activity means that it can be common for a dog to break a nail. It’s most common for a small portion of the nail to break or split off, especially the dew claw, which is not a weight-bearing nail. Dew claws tend to be more susceptible to breaking. Some dogs also have brittle nails that are more prone to breaking. Nutrient deficiencies, older age, overgrown nails, and more can all contribute to dogs being more likely to break a nail.

It’s important to note that it is common for the outer portions of a dog’s nail to break. However, it is not as common for a nail to break in a way where the “quick” or center blood vessel is exposed. When this happens, it is usually caused by nail clippers hitting it during a nail trim or some sort of accident that causes injury. If the quick is exposed, this is an injury and you need to treat it accordingly.

How Serious is a Broken Nail on a Dog?

When it comes to broken nails and dogs, how serious it is depends on how extensive the break is and which parts are involved. Dogs’ nails contain a central collection of nerves and blood vessels, also known as the quick. The quick is covered by a thick material called keratin.

The keratin is necessary in protecting the sensitive nerves and blood vessels. Similar to a human breaking a nail, a superficial break or a split of the outer keratin doesn’t necessarily hurt. But, when a nail breaks so that the sensitive quick is exposed, it is very painful. If you’ve ever cut a nail too short and hit your nail bed, you know the pain all too well.

A dog’s quick is also attached to the bone. When the nail tears or breaks in a way that exposes this area, it can lead to infection in the bone if untreated. If this happens, it’s a very serious issue that needs immediate veterinary care.

How to Treat Your Dog’s Broken Nail

If your dog shows signs of pain in their paw, like limping or holding up a paw, you should check for a broken nail. If you find one, there are a few things to do to treat it.

1. Safely Restrain Your Dog

This will probably be easiest if you have a family member to help. Have someone hold your dog and help soothe them. Keeping the dog in a gentle hug is a good way to offer comfort while restraining them. Remember that even the gentlest dog may bite when in pain. If absolutely necessary, a soft dog muzzle can be helpful in keeping your dog from biting.

2. Stop the Bleeding

If there is damage to the quick and there is bleeding, it’s important to get the bleeding under control. Wrap your dog’s paw in a clean towel or rag and apply gentle pressure to the broken nail area.

If the bleeding does not stop within 5 to 10 minutes, you may need to apply something to stop the bleeding. Try a silver nitrate stick, styptic pencil, or cauterizing powder, all of which can be found in your local pharmacy in the first aid section or at a pet store and are good things to have in a dog first aid kit.

If you don’t have any of those things, you can try baking soda or flour. Cover the bleeding nail with the flour or baking soda and wait a few minutes. You can also try sticking the tip of the nail into a bar of soap to help stop the bleeding.

3. Remove the Damaged Nail

There may be a loosely attached sliver of nail that can be trimmed away with nail clippers. If this is a minor break or split that doesn’t involve the quick, then you can trim it away and smooth it out to avoid snags. If the quick is damaged or exposed, you can trim the damage at home if absolutely necessary, but it is best to be done by your veterinarian.

Keep your dog’s paw wrapped up in a towel as you travel to the vet. Your veterinarian will need to remove the broken part of the nail. While it is a painful procedure, it is relatively quick and usually doesn’t require any sedation. Your veterinarian may numb the area with a nerve block, however.

4. Protect the Injury From Infection

As stated earlier, when the quick is damaged or exposed, it is very important to prevent infection from getting to the bone. Since the nail and quick are attached to the bone, it is very important to keep an eye on your dog’s nail as it heals. Your vet will probably prescribe an oral or injectable antibiotic to help prevent infection. Hiding the oral antibiotic in your dog’s food is a great tip for giving your dog medication.

Your dog’s paw will be bandaged during the healing process to protect it from further injury and infection. Your veterinarian will schedule a follow-up appointment to make sure it’s healing properly and that there is no infection going to the bone.

5. Manage Your Dog’s Pain

Serious nail breaks are painful injuries and can be painful as the nail heals. You may need to apply a topical pain reliever prescribed by your vet or your dog may be prescribed an oral painkiller.

How to Prevent a Broken Nail

While it’s impossible to prevent broken nails from ever happening, there are a few things you can do to cut back on the likelihood of a broken nail. Shorter nails are less likely to break or snag than longer nails. Be sure your dog has their nails trimmed on a regular basis. You can cut your dog’s nails at home or schedule regular trips to a groomer.

Regular walks and exercise can also help keep your dog’s nails shorter, although this needs to be done along with trimming your dog’s nails. Checking your dog’s nails on a regular basis will help prevent an injury down the road. Keeping after their nails is an easy way to be a responsible dog owner.

It’s also important to feed your dog a nutrient-rich diet. If your dog’s nails seem to be brittle and you’re seeing a lot of splitting and breaking, visit your vet to make sure there aren’t nutrient deficiencies and there isn’t anything else going on that is affecting your dog’s health. Your vet can help you choose the best dog food for your dog and also identify fruits, veggies, and other supplements to address any nutrient deficiencies.

This is how to treat a dog’s broken nail. Taking these steps in the event of a broken nail will help get your dog back to their normal activities. Remember that regular grooming and nail maintenance are important to your dog’s health and well-being.