Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog's broken nail is bleeding and he's shaking his paw. What to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 3 years and 6 months old | 6.8 lbs

Hi there, it looks like Pepper has broken a nail :( his paw is bloody, but he is walking on it normally, albeit shaking the paw often. I’ve found a layer of the nail. It’s hard to really see where the damage is or how bad it might be. What should I do?

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 8th, 2020

I agree, it looks like Pepper has broken a nail. Gently clean the area with warm water and antiseptic soap. If it looks pretty bad when clean or he keeps shaking the paw (which can be a sign of pain), have him seen by a vet. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog's front paws are swollen and a bit bloodied. The left one seems to be caused by a broken nail. What can I do to clean and treat it, and what can I give him to help with the swelling?
Broken nails are quite painful. The bleeding tells me the quick is involved, which is the blood supply as well as nerve supply, so he may not let you touch it. Ideally the broken part should be removed but this often requires sedation by a vet. I recommend soaking his paw in an epsom salt tub for 5-10 minutes 2-3 times daily to clean it, draw out discharge, and help soften any part of the nail that is compromised. Watch for swelling or discharge that would indicate infection (and would require a vet visit). Unfortunately there is no human drug that is safe to give him for pain & inflammation but a vet could provide you with something. Again, these are painful especially if the quick is exposed so he will be tender until the broken part has come off and the exposed quick has hardened. Hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
dogs paw is bleeding have washed it in salt water think be broke claw have bandaged up seems ok at moment
I would wash it with some antiseptic soap and keep an eye on Max's claw. If it is broken, it may need to be cut off, which you can do yourself or have a vet do if it's very painful to him. Keep it bandaged to make sure it stays clean, and if you see any signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, pus), then he will need to see a vet for antibiotics.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has something on his paw nail and he is in pain. It was bleeding that’s how I noticed it. I just want to know how to get rid of it and make it less painful. I don’t know what it is that’s what i want to find out. I don’t want to take action wi
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! I can see that Diesel's nail appears to be broken. I am unable to see what is going on at the root of the nail, but it is likely due to trauma. The condition is likely painful due to damage to the quick, or the part of the nail that has blood vessels and nerves, and may require removal of the nail under sedation to promote healing. I recommend having Diesel seen by a vet as soon as possible who can prescribe anti-inflammatory and pain medication and bandage the paw if necessary. In the meantime, you can get Diesel an E-collar or "cone" to prevent him from licking the area and causing further trauma.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
what should i do with broken nail
Clip the nail carefully. If there is bleeding, gentle pressure and some Quik Stop powder or plain cornstarch should stop it. Clean daily with a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. A dab of a triple antibiotic may be applied if necessary. Monitor for redness, swelling or lethargy. If she won't allow you to clip the nail, she may need to be seen by your veterinarian. Clip the other nails a bit to prevent snagging.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, My dog started limping today and I noticed this his nail is broken right at the base. It snapped in half and is still hanging there. He seems to be in a lot of pain. It’s bleeding around the nail but not pouring blood or something you can just
Hello. This is such a common injury in dogs. Veterinarians deal with this by cutting the nail at the break & then applying an antibiotic cream mixed with a little lidocaine to stop the pain. The foot stays bandaged for a couple of days until the sensitive tissue starts to heal. From here, the nail will begin to grow out & Jack will be back to his old self. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
We just noticed that it looks like our dogs dew claw is exposed? We haven’t noticed any bleeding at all and just wondering what to do now?
It looks like it's broken off. Just keep an eye on it for now. Gently clean the area with warm water and antiseptic soap. To keep him from licking at it, you can put an Ecollar on him. You can get one at a pet store or make one at home. Keep the wound clean and dry, and monitor it for signs of infection. If you see redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, then it is infected and he will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
todah i woke up and saw that bruno's back nail i broken and its bleeding. clinics are closed today. what should i do?
You will need a nail clipper special for dogs, just clip the nail at the same place where it broke, it looks almost completely broken so i do not think it will hurt too bad or bleed too much. do prepare yourself to stop the bleeding with a clean cotton or swab.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My Shih-Tzu’s claw on the thumb of his right front paw is turned upside down. I’m not sure how or when it happened, there doesn’t seem to be any blood, and he doesn’t even really seem to be in pain when he walks on it. It’s only when I go to touch th
It sounds like he broke his dewclaw - most of the time the nail will need to be removed so it won't cause chronic irritation or infection. If you're unable to pull it off at home because he is too painful or because it is still attached you will need to see your veterinarian. Sometimes sedation is required if the nail is not completely broken and the nail is clipped very close to the base. If Otis seems comfortable and the nail is not bleeding this is not necessarily an emergency - you could wait until your vet is open and make an appointment. You should keep him from licking the area until then and he may need to wear an e-collar.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My Dogs Toenail Completely Came Off Im Not Sure How He Did It But He Did And Hes Bleeding, Im Not Sure What To Do. This has Never Happen To Me Before. Do I Take Him To The Vet Is There Some Kind Of Pain Medicine Over The Counter I Can Go Get For Him?
I think it would be best if you take him to the vet for a wound clean-up, and exam whether there is more than just a stripped nail. Your veterinarian will likely want to bandage the paw and give your dog pain medicine and an antibiotic so that the bacteria in that area cannot cause an infection.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs nail broke off and it won't stop bleeding I tried putting a wet rage on his foot but the bleeding doesn't stop
Poor Max! Apply cornstarch to the broken end. Be careful as broken nails can hurt and dogs may bite due to pain. Depending on how the nail is broken, Max may need to see his veterinarian today as these sometimes need to be removed. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Paw & Nail Care Dog Nail Caps Dog Nail Clippers & Scissors Cat Styptic Powder Dog Nail Files & Grinders Cat Nail Care Dog Health & Wellness Cat Nail Caps Dog Blood Pressure Medication Antifungal Medication for Dogs Four Paws Dog Paw & Nail Care Bissell Dog Paw & Nail Care RB Pets Dog Paw & Nail Care Four Paws Dog Nail Clippers & Scissors Miracle Care Dog Paw & Nail Care Well & Good Dog Paw & Nail Care Pet Life Dog Paw & Nail Care Andis Dog Paw & Nail Care Four Paws Cat Styptic Powder Miracle Coat Dog Paw & Nail Care
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored