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Natural Remedies for Nail Injuries in Pets

| Modified on Aug 22, 2024
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Nail injuries are a common issue for pets, particularly for active dogs and cats who love to run, jump, and explore. A broken, torn, or cracked nail can be painful and lead to bleeding, infection, or lameness if not treated promptly. While severe injuries may require veterinary care, many minor nail injuries can be managed at home with natural remedies and proper care. This guide will help you understand how to treat your pet’s nail injury and promote a speedy recovery.

Understanding Nail Injuries in Pets

Nail injuries can occur for various reasons, including catching the nail on a surface, overgrown nails getting snagged, or trauma from running on rough terrain. Common signs of a nail injury include limping, licking the affected paw, visible blood, and your pet favoring one foot. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to inspect the nail and surrounding area for damage.

Immediate Steps to Take for Nail Injuries

Here are the first steps you should take when your pet sustains a nail injury:

  • Stop the Bleeding: If the nail is bleeding, the first priority is to stop the bleeding. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to the area. You can also use a styptic powder or cornstarch to help clot the blood and stop the bleeding. Apply the powder directly to the bleeding nail and hold it in place for a few minutes.
  • Clean the Wound: Once the bleeding has stopped, clean the affected area with a mild antiseptic solution or warm water. This helps remove dirt and bacteria, reducing the risk of infection. Avoid using harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, which can damage the tissue and delay healing.
  • Trim the Nail (if necessary): If part of the nail is hanging or jagged, carefully trim the loose portion with pet nail clippers. Be cautious not to cut too close to the quick (the sensitive part of the nail), as this can cause more pain and bleeding.

Natural Remedies to Promote Healing

After providing immediate care, the following natural remedies can help promote healing and reduce discomfort:

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent infection and soothe the affected area. Apply a small amount of virgin coconut oil to the injured nail and surrounding skin. Coconut oil can also moisturize the skin, preventing dryness and cracking during the healing process.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is well-known for its soothing and healing properties. Apply a small amount of pure aloe vera gel to the injured nail to reduce inflammation and promote faster healing. Aloe vera can also provide relief from pain and discomfort.

Calendula

Calendula is a medicinal herb with powerful healing and anti-inflammatory properties. You can apply a calendula ointment or diluted tincture to the injured nail to reduce swelling, soothe pain, and prevent infection. Calendula also supports the skin’s natural healing process, making it an excellent choice for minor wounds.

Epsom Salt Soak

An Epsom salt soak can help clean the wound, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. Dissolve a small amount of Epsom salt in warm water and soak your pet’s paw for about 5-10 minutes. After soaking, dry the paw thoroughly to prevent moisture from being trapped between the toes.

Preventing Infection

Preventing infection is crucial for proper healing. Keep an eye on the injury for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. To further reduce the risk of infection, consider the following tips:

  • Keep the Area Clean: Clean the wound regularly with a mild antiseptic solution and keep it free from dirt and debris.
  • Bandage the Paw (if necessary): If your pet is prone to licking or chewing the injured nail, consider wrapping the paw with a clean bandage or using a protective bootie to prevent further irritation.
  • Monitor for Signs of Infection: If you notice any signs of infection, such as pus, a foul odor, or worsening symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

When to Seek Veterinary Care

While many nail injuries can be treated at home, there are situations where veterinary care is necessary. Seek veterinary attention if:

  • The bleeding won’t stop after applying pressure and using a styptic powder.
  • The nail is severely broken, cracked down to the quick, or torn off completely.
  • Your pet shows signs of significant pain, limping, or refuses to put weight on the affected paw.
  • There are signs of infection, such as pus, a foul odor, or excessive swelling.

Final Thoughts

Nail injuries can be painful and distressing for pets, but with prompt attention and the right natural remedies, you can help your pet recover quickly and comfortably. By stopping the bleeding, cleaning the wound, and using soothing treatments like coconut oil, aloe vera, and calendula, you can support the healing process and reduce the risk of complications. Always monitor your pet closely, and if the injury is severe or shows signs of infection, seek veterinary care to ensure the best outcome for your pet.

Have you used natural remedies to treat a nail injury in your pet? Share your experiences and tips! Continue reading below for advice from Earth Clinic readers who have successfully managed nail injuries in their pets with natural treatments.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Baking Powder

2 User Reviews
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Posted by Denice (Roulette, PA) on 04/26/2008
 ★★★★★

We were watching tv and our dog, Dixie was laying quietly with us so we decided to trim her nails and got one too close and she started to bleed. We looked for anything and my husband suggested using the computer and your web site came up. It listed baby powder, baking soda and flour...in my rush to stop the bleeding I grabbed the baking powder put about a teaspoon on my hand and we packed it against the bleeding nail. It worked within 10 minutes and we are still keeping her down at this time. Thank you for your help and your web site. This will be marked as a favorite! Thanks again!

Replied by Peter
(Calgary, Alberta)
12/10/2011

My father and I have done many trimmings and cutting the quick does happen some times. His dog Tessa is a rescue dog and nails were not attended well in her previouse life. Any way we got a bleeder and did the flour and a baggie remedy. Kept her still but not before she licked a lot of her own blood up. We got the bleeding stopped but later in the night she got sick. Would any one know if drinking her own blood makes her sick , or would you think it would be a coincidence? Thanks if you can help with my question.

Replied by Jj
(Dixie Tx)
02/13/2014
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

ok so same thing, decided to do my dogs nails and got too close. I freaked so looked this up which the 1st thing I tried was baking soda, no good it must have stung or something b/c she went nuts squirming and started bleeding twice as bad but then I did flour and elevated her foot above her heart and in no time she was good the next morning but neosporin on the tip THANKS for this web site

Bar of Soap

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Posted by Luckyspal (Bethesda, Md) on 05/14/2010
 ★★★★★

I just used a bar of stop to stop bleeding after I cut to much when trimming Lucky's nails! It stopped immediately and he stopped licking it, too! Thank you, thank you thank you!

Replied by Lane
(Evans, Ga)
08/04/2015
★★★★★

The bar of soap worked great it was about stopped bleeding by the time I read this article but applied to ensure it would stop and my dog hasn't licked the nail nor has it bled anymore! We happened to be in the bathroom so that's why I opted for the soap over flour or other items! Thanks so much for the advice!

Replied by Tonya
(Rockford)
07/31/2016

Hello, I was wondering how does the area not get infected?

Black Pepper

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Posted by Quinn (Philadelphia, PA) on 08/07/2006
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Another way to stop bleeding is with black pepper! It doesn't hurt and won't injure a pet (or human) if ingested. Small packets from fast food restaurants are great tucked into first aid kits, glove compartments and grooming supplies.

Castor Oil

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Posted by Sallypants (Calgary, CA) on 12/07/2014
 ★★★★★

I am ashamed to say that I let my daschihuahua's back paw develop an in-grown paw nail. It had circled around and grown into her paw pad. I cut the nail off when I found it, and then pulled it from her paw pad. I then proceeded to apply a castor oil pack (directions elsewhere on this site) and banished the infection overnight. Nice going, earth clinic - you helped me help my dog. No vet visit necessary.

Replied by Brenda
(Mountain Top)
02/15/2015

Thanks for the tip. I cut my babies nail too short and it wouldn't stop bleeding until I used the flour/peroxide solution. Thank you!

Corn Meal

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Posted by Jessica (Nashville, TN) on 08/29/2006
 ★★★★★

My doctor told me to use this instead of buying the items in the pet store. I was skeptical at first and was freaking out when I couldn't figure out exactly how to make it stop bleeding! But I just coated his nail with it and made him lay down for about 10 minutes. He actually went to sleep while I was holding his leg. Its an excellent method and much cheaper!

Flour

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Posted by Tara C. (Warwick, Ri) on 09/02/2015
 ★★★★★

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I just trimmed my Rottweiler's black nails and cut one too short my mistake. It started bleeding and I felt terrible. I immediately looked online for a remedy and found your site. I used self rising flour and it stopped the bleeding in just a few minutes! I just put it in a bag and placed her foot inside. Then kept her calm. I can't thank you enough for this site and helping me make everything ok! She is happily chewing on a new bone and being still and calm (thanks to my guilty conscience) and making sure to give her booboo time to heal.

Flour
Posted by Candace Kaye (Warminster) on 05/07/2014
 ★★★★★

Cut my Boston's nail to short. Quickly went on line searching for an answer and found this site. I went with the flour on the nail. I actually mixed it with a little water and made a paste of it. Then applied it with a Q-tip. Worked great, but I had to reapply it because the blood kept breaking through. Hopefully there will not be a next time, but if there is I'm going to use the flour in a plastic baggie.

I did want to respond to the person in another post who was outraged at the thought of using Super Glue on the tipe of the nail. This is a procedure that is often used in emergency situations. During the Vietnam War soldiers carried it with them for closing wounds when they couldn't get immediate medical care. I also know someone who went to the ER after hitting their head on the edge of a metal plate, and rather than putting staples in his head, the doctor used Super Glue to close the wound. So it is safe to use and does not sting when applying.

Flour
Posted by Adrian (Kalamazoo, Michigan) on 01/21/2013
 ★★★★★

I have a Labrador and I accidently over cut one of her nails and I couldn't get the bleeding to stop. So I cleaned with hydrogen proxide and then fixed together flour and water to great a paste and used a q tip and put some the paste on her toe nail and held for about an hour and then dipped her same nail in four about 15 times just to make sure and left her sit and relax for about an hour. And all the bleeding stopped. Thank you so much.

Replied by Brenda
(Mountain Top)
02/15/2015
★★★★★

Thanks for the tip. I cut my babies nail too short and it wouldn't stop bleeding until I used the flour/peroxide solution. Thank you!

Flour
Posted by Jenny Martin (Portsmouth, Hampshire) on 01/13/2013
 ★★★★★

My Jackrussel/Chihuaha X needed his claws cut and one of them is black which l accidentally cut to short and it bled profusly after 2 hours l found your site and put his foot into a bag flour, after half an hour cuddle the bleed stopped so a very big thank you for your help.

Flour
Posted by Blazer (Vineyard Haven, Ma) on 09/29/2012
 ★★★★★

Thank you we used the flour and it worked awesome. I actually placed my dog's paw in my hand filled with flour then layed with him for about 30 minutes. The bleeding stopped and never started again.

Flour
Posted by Roby (Sydney, Australia) on 09/05/2012
 ★★★★★

YAY, thank you so much for this amazingly simple but so so wonderful remedy! For the first time ever, I cut my dog jesse's nail too short and it poured with blood! My son was panicked, and I quickly went to the web and read your advice.... I put a ziplock bag of flour over her paw, waited 15mins, and its stopped! Thankyou :)

Flour
Posted by Justjan (Tolland, Connecticut) on 01/22/2012
 ★★★★★

My Schipp's nails are black. I am so careful, but got the quick today... First time I've ever done that. He didn't even flinch, but he was bleeding terribly. I got online, saw this site and did the flour in a baggie. I held him and petted him for an hour (he loved it). He is sleeping soundly, the bleeding stopped, and I'm so grateful. Thank you!

Flour
Posted by Sami (Canada, Nova Scotia) on 01/11/2010
 ★★★★★

I was cutting my shelties nails and on the last nail I cut the quick. So I tried everything besides the vet and I went online and found your website. I put his paw in a cup of flour for five minutes. later I check on him and an hour later it work his nail stopped bleeding!!! :):D

Replied by Robynn
(Tacoma, Washington)
12/30/2011

I cut my corgi Tucker's nails for the first time tonight, I had seen my dad do it many times before and had even helped a little, but I never thought it would be so easy to cut down too far! I was so scared when he was bleeding, I tried pressure then wrapping it, it bled through the bandage. Then I tried using liquid bandage, hoping that it would at least stop the bleeding, but that started up again when he walked around and it too bled through another bandage. The I found this site and now he's got a ziploc of flour on his paw, and he's fast asleep. I'm REALLY hoping this works!!

Flour
Posted by Susan (Milton, WV) on 04/24/2008
 ★★★★★

I accidently stepped on my chihuahuas paw with my heeled shoes. She yelped and I thought that was that. Then I noticed bleeding and found that she lost her whole nail. I put 1/2 cup flour in a baggy and placed her paw in it. I twisted the top of the bag and put a clip to hold it. I held her for about 30 minutes to keep her off her foot. It stopped the bleeding very quickly.

Replied by Tara
(Springfield, Illinois, Us)
10/04/2011
★★★★★

I am so thankful for this site. My son Donnie suggested that I check out online for home remedies for pets and I came across this site. My fiancee was clipping my dog Angel's claws and she pulled away and he cut to close to the quick and she began to bleed, I was freaked out but my son told me to check online and I found out about the flour and wow it really works. Thank you to who ever created this site. It is a blessing and a help.

Flour
Posted by Samantha (Holland, Michigan) on 02/10/2008
 ★★★★★

Hi my dogs nail had been bleeding non stop and i was scard and using the flour to stop the bleeding help us out alot! thanks so much for putting the info out:


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