Torn nails can be difficult to treat and painful for your dog. They can also bleed a lot which can be alarming for owners. It's important to know how to deal with dog broken nail injuries and what may have caused it. In most cases, broken nails are not a pet emergency. If you are concerned about your pet's broken nail please seek advice from PawSquad's online vets.
When should I see my vet for a dog broken nail injury?
If the nail is hanging off, it will need to be removed, as your dog will continue to catch the nail, causing pain. In some cases your vet will be able to do this in the consultation, other cases will need sedation, local anaesthetic or even a general anaesthetic depending on the severity of the injury. Please speak to a video vet if you are concerned.
Dog broken nail injuries are very painful for dogs
Dog split nail injury causes
Dog broken nail causes
Causes of dog broken nails can include:
Trauma
Infection
Bacteria or fungus
Tumour or cancer
Immune system diseases
Congenital problems
Cutting the nails too close to the nail bed
Dog broken nails are commonly caused by trauma, infection, bacteria or fungus or a result of the nails having been cut too close to the nail bed. Other causes include congenital conditions, tumours or immune system diseases.
How can I tell if my dog broke a nail?
Common signs of a dog split nail can include:
Licking paws
Lameness or difficulty walking
Pain in the feet
Swelling or redness of tissues surrounding the nails
Abnormal nail color
Bleeding
Finding dog split nail pieces around the home
How should I treat a dog broken nail injury?
A lot of blood can result from a dog split nail injury and there are a few things you can do to control the bleeding.
To treat a dog broken nail:
Initially try steady pressure with a cold damp cloth
If the nail is still bleeding after 5 minutes or your dog won't let you use a cloth:
Try applying flour to the area or try a cauterizing pencil
If the nail continues to bleed, apply a light covering dressing
Contact your vet for further advice
How can I prevent dog split nail problems?
Try to keep your dogs nails to a minimum length as this can help to reduce future injuries, but unfortunately some dogs just have problematic nails. Walking on hard concrete/tarmac will help to keep most nails trim, make sure you regularly check the length of the dew claw as these are often the ones which 'catch' on things.
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Disclaimer
Vets Now assumes no liability for the content of this page. This advice is not a substitute for a proper consultation with a vet and is only intended as a guide. Please contact your local veterinary practice for advice or treatment immediately if you are worried about your pet’s health, even if they are closed, they will always have an out-of-hours service available.