PET HEALTH
What To Do if Your Dog’s Nail Is Broken
If your dog has a broken nail, you can often treat it at home with some basic first aid. However, if the injury is severe or doesn’t improve, you might need to take your pup to the vet. Broken or missing nails can cause discomfort and may lead to an infection if not treated promptly.
By recognizing the signs of a dog's broken nail and knowing when to treat it at home or visit the vet, you can protect your pup’s health and comfort. Below, we’ll cover what you can do to care for your dog’s broken nail and when to seek veterinary care.
Signs Your Dog Broke a Nail
Your dog’s nails can break quickly and unexpectedly while they’re running, jumping, or playing. If your dog breaks a nail, you might hear them yelp or notice them pulling back their paw suddenly.
Here are some common signs your pup may have broken a nail.1
- Limping or favoring one paw
- Licking or chewing the affected paw
- Visible blood around the nail
- Sensitivity or pain when you touch their paw
- Cracked, split, or missing nail
- Protecting the paw or avoiding putting weight on it
Sometimes, the nail may completely fall off. In other cases, the nail might snag on something and hang, exposing the “quick,” which is the sensitive tissue underneath the nail. If the quick is exposed, it can be painful for your dog and may increase the risk of a nail infection.1
Keeping an eye out for these signs can help you take quick action, whether that includes an at-home treatment or a vet visit.
Why Are Broken Dog Nails Dangerous?
Broken nails might seem like a minor issue, but they can lead to more serious problems if they’re not treated. Inside your dog’s toenail is the quick, which contains blood vessels and nerves. The quick is covered by keratin — the same stuff our nails are made of — to help protect those blood vessels.2
The quick is also attached to your dog’s bone. Once the quick is damaged, your dog can be susceptible to infection in the bone, which can rapidly become dangerous.2 Thankfully, with prompt treatment and proper care, you can prevent complications like these and help your furry friend heal quickly.
What Causes a Dog’s Nail To Break or Bleed?
There are several reasons why your dog’s nail might break or start bleeding, and understanding the specific cause can help you prevent other nails from breaking in the future. Some of the most common reasons your dog’s nails may split, break, or bleed include:1,2
- Snagging or catching on surfaces: Nails can get caught on carpets, furniture, or rough/hard surfaces, which can cause a nail to break. This can be especially common if a dog’s toenails are overgrown.
- Ingrown nails: If your dog’s dew claw or other toenails grow into the paw pad, they can cause pain, swelling, and bleeding.3
- Pre-existing health conditions: Underlying health conditions — like lupoid onychodystrophy — can cause nails to become weak, brittle, and prone to breaking or splitting. This autoimmune disease in particular affects a dog’s nail growth.
- Infections: Bacterial or fungal infections can weaken the nail and surrounding tissue. This can increase the risk of a damaged nail.
- Age: Senior dogs often have more brittle nails, making them more likely to crack and break.
How To Treat Your Dog’s Broken Nail at Home
Doing an at-home treatment may be the best course of action to quickly address your dog’s cracked or missing toenail. Here are some of the steps you can take to treat your dog’s broken nail at home.
Keep your dog calm and restrained
Before you start any treatment, it’s important to keep your dog still to avoid injuring the nail bed any further. Ask for help from another person your dog trusts to gently restrain them. If your dog tends to get anxious or tries to nip when in pain, consider using a muzzle for safety.3
Control the bleeding
Once your dog is secured, the next step is to manage any bleeding with first aid. Use gauze or a clean cloth to gently wrap the paw and apply light pressure for 5 – 10 minutes.3
Cauterizing powder, silver nitrate sticks, or styptic powder can be purchased at pet care stores or pharmacies to help clot blood quickly and stop your dog from bleeding. Applying baking powder or pressing the nail into a bar of soap can also help stop the bleeding in a pinch.3
Once you’ve controlled the bleeding, make sure to check the entire paw and nail bed for any debris or dirt that could cause an infection.
Clean and protect the nail
After the bleeding has stopped, clean the affected nail area to prevent any infections. Use warm water to gently cleanse the paw. Be careful around the nail bed and any exposed part of the nail. Once the area is clean, wrap your dog’s paw with a bandage to protect it and prevent your dog from licking or biting the wound.3
Monitor for signs of an infection
Even after treating your dog’s broken nail at home, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s paw for a few days. Watch for signs of infection, including swelling, redness, or continued bleeding from the nail bed. If you notice any of these symptoms or your dog continues to limp, it may be time to visit your veterinarian.
How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost for a Dog’s Broken Nail?
If your dog has a broken nail, a vet visit for treatment may cost around $200 – $300. Here’s a breakdown of the different costs associated with treating your pup’s broken nail:4
- Exam: $50 – $80
- Nail trim: $20
- Medication (pain medication, antibiotics): $20 – $60
- Sedation (if required): $100
These costs can vary based on factors like your dog’s specific needs, the veterinary clinic, and location. In some areas, particularly more populated cities, vet prices may be a little higher. But don’t worry — there are ways to manage these costs so you can focus on your dog’s recovery.
How MetLife pet insurance can help cover broken nail costs
MetLife Pet insurance may be able to cover some of the costs of treating dog nail injuries at the vet. Depending on your dog insurance policy, you could be reimbursed up to 90%5 of covered expenses, which can make a big difference.
Let’s take a look at a real example. A MetLife Pet Insurance customer in Spokane, WA, brought their mixed pup to the vet for a torn nail. The exam and treatment cost around $540. Fortunately, we were able to reimburse them for around $485 — that’s about 90% of the final vet bill.6
How To Avoid Broken Dog Nails
Regular dog grooming is one of the easiest ways to help prevent broken nails. A groomer or veterinarian can safely trim your dog’s nails to reduce the likelihood of a break.
If you prefer to trim your dog’s nails at home, make sure your clippers are sharp for a clean cut. Dull trimmers can cause more harm than good. You could also try a dog nail grinder, which files the nail down gently and makes it easier to avoid hitting the quick.
Protect Your Dog’s Nails and Health With MetLife Pet Insurance
If your dog has a broken nail, quick action and proper care can help them heal smoothly. Recognizing the signs, treating the injury at home when possible, and knowing when to see a vet are key steps in keeping your pup happy and healthy.
Regular trims with nail clippers or nail trimmers, and taking care during grooming sessions, can also help prevent future nail problems.
If you're ready to take the next step in protecting your pet’s health, get a free quote today to see your personalized rate.