“Quicking” a dog is a common accident—people end up cutting their dog’s nails too deep to cause bleeding and pain. And obviously, since canines walk on their paws, it becomes a concern whether they should move or even stand up again before the healing occurs.
We commonly hear, “can I walk my dog after cutting the quick?” Well, we have jotted down a detailed explanation for you. Keep reading.
Can I Walk My Dog After Cutting the Quick?
If you have cut the quick in your dog’s nail, you can take him for a walk provided there is no bleeding, or he is not visibly in discomfort. Observing your dog’s affected paw over the next few days is better. If it looks dry and your dog does not show any signs of pain upon applying pressure on it, you can resume walking him.
Besides the paw, observing the way your dog also helps. If he is doing it comfortably and normally, the healing process is complete, and he should be fine to walk. But if his gait is not normal and he even limps, avoid walking him.
Having said that, we recommend consulting your vet for a definite answer. After examining your dog and assessing the issue caused by the cut, they will be in a better position to provide a green or red signal.
Why Is Nail Quick Such a Big Deal?
Nail quick is the central vascular of the nail with a lot of nerves and blood vessels. Cutting such structures leads to bleeding and pain, making it a big deal. Though quick has several components in it, the ‘hurting’ ones are the nerves—cables that carry electrical pulses to help feel different sensations.
The quick acts as live tissue, i.e., it supplies all necessary nutrients to support the growth of both inner and outer shells. From the quick, tiny capillaries originate, ensuring nutrients reach every nook and corner of the whole nail. If the quick is damaged permanently, the nail might not survive. But fortunately, it begins repairing itself soon after the injury.
What to Do If You Cut Your Dog’s Quick?
As soon as you cut the quick, your first focus must be stopping the bleeding. Out of pain, your dog might yelp while he bleeds from the impacted paw. Just apply enough pressure to disrupt the blood flow, but do not make it too harsh to hurt even further.
Wipe off the existing blood and apply styptic powder immediately. This will help stop the bleeding, but, as PetMD recommends, only use the pea-sized amount to ensure that it sticks to the nail.
After the bleeding stops, use disinfectants to make sure no foreign agent has entered the wound to cause infections. In addition, apply ointments to soothe the area and get rid of the pain. If you spot any sign of further bleeding or even infections, contact a vet immediately.
How Long Do Nail Quicks Take to Heal?
Nail quicks usually take no more than a week to recover. While in this healing period, dog owners should avoid getting their pets outdoors and walk on tough terrains. However, in case the cut is not deep enough, the quick should heal within a few days, and dogs can continue their normal routines without any issues.
Note that the quick will begin clotting within a few minutes of cutting, and the bleeding will stop on its own. But it does not mean that it is healed. Complete healing takes a longer time.
How to Trim Dog Nails Without Cutting the Quick?
If dog nails are trimmed carefully, the quick does not get cut. You just need to adhere to some basic recommendations to do the perfect job.
These include the followings:
- Use correctly-sized nail clippers only. Unfortunately, due to the variety of sizes available in the market, pet owners end up buying the wrong ones for their dogs which increases the probability of quick cuts. If you are not sure which size suits your dog best, get a professional’s assistance.
- Choose nail grinders instead. Nail grinders have the added benefit of keeping the trimming process slow and smooth. This way, the chances of cutting the quick will decrease. As soon as the grinder nears the quick, your dog might show signs of disturbance, and you will get alerted.
- If it is your first time cutting your dog’s nails, ensure you have seen enough tutorials and consulted a vet on how to do it properly. Besides, keep the process slow. Just cut the nail bit by bit.
- Have your first aid ready. No matter how carefully you cut your dog’s nail, the chances of getting the cutter to the quick always exist.
- Do not forget to reward your dog after a successful nail cutting. This will help him associate nail trimming with something good.
How to Find Quick in Dog Nails?
Spotting the quick in dog nails depends upon the nail color. If your dog’s nail is white, look for the pinkish region in its center—this is where the quick lies. If the nail is black, there are two ways of spotting the quick:
- Look at the underside of the nail. You will find a greyish area (lighter than the rest of the nail) there. This is where the quick is.
- Start trimming the nail and look for a lighter area to appear. When such an area with a shiny appearance shows up, you must stop trimming any further. Going deeper will increase the chances of quick cuts.
What to Do If Nail Quick Bleeding Does Not Stop?
If your dog’s quick does not stop bleeding even after hours have passed and you have tried every solution, contact a vet ASAP. Unrestrained bleeding is usually a result of some hidden diseases like diabetes that do not let clots form on the wound. In such cases, seeking immediate advice from a vet becomes vital.
Should I Walk My Dog With Broken Nails?
If your dog is not in pain because of the broken nail, he should be fine to walk. However, if it hurts, do not do it. If necessary, opt only for short walks and going to the toilet. This way, the healing process will gain pace. Moreover, if you are unsure whether your dog is experiencing pain, try getting a vet’s advice on the matter.
Conclusion: Can I Walk My Dog After Cutting the Quick?
No. Walking your dog is not recommended until complete healing of the quick occurs after getting it cut. You can know if your dog’s quick is recovered by looking at the bleeding and gauging the pain. If these exist, do not walk your dog, as it will delay further healing and increase the pain. Besides, you should also be extremely careful in trimming his nails owing to the sensitive nature of the quick.