Can I walk my dog after cutting the quick? Nail trimming is a hassle for pet owners! While some people prefer taking their pet to a professional groomer for nail trimming, others do it at home. However, you need to be very careful when it comes to trimming nails. If you cut it too short, it may damage the quick. It is a part of the nail that contains blood vessels. If you accidentally cut the quick, it will lead to bleeding and will cause serious pain and discomfort.
You should only take your dog out on walks once the bleeding stops and the wound dries. If your dog is walking inside the house without any issues, you can take them out. You need to provide all the necessary medical care to the dog in order to heal the wound. However, if your dog is limping or licking the wound, don’t take them for a walk, as the wound can get infected. In this case, it is best to take them to a vet first.
Whether or not your dog is able to walk after being cut at the quick can be tricky. Fortunately, the procedure is often less traumatic than you might think. You should always consult with a vet before walking your dog again. The length of time that your dog can rest after the procedure depends on the severity of the cut and how much care you provided at the time.
What Is The Nail Quick?
A dog’s nail consists of three parts, i.e., outer shell, inner shell, and quick. The quick is live tissue made of blood vessels. If you accidentally cut the quick, it will result in bleeding.
The quick is a vein that runs through the center of the nail. When clipping a dog’s nails, you should lift its paw up and look at the center of the unclipped nail. If you can see a small, dark circle at the center, the quick is located there.
Dark-colored nails have a darker quick, and it is difficult to see. It is often more visible on the underside of the nail. If you can see it, the nail is not clipped, and you need to wait for it to recede. The quick is a living tissue made up of small blood vessels under the nail bed. It is necessary for the growth of a dog’s nails, as without them, the nail would not grow.
How to Trim Your Dog’s Nails Without Cutting the Quick
In order to cut your dog’s nails carefully without cutting the quick, it’s essential to use the correct positioning. Hold your hand next to the paw, wrap your fingers around it, and then gently lift the paw off the floor. Then, push your forefinger up along the paw’s base. Extend your thumb as far up the limb as you can while keeping the nail straight.
Before clipping your dog’s nails, lay your dog down and drape your arms over its head. Make sure that your left forearm is across the neck to avoid your dog lifting its head and pulling the paw off the floor.
Keep the rest of your body on top of his shoulders to prevent injury. Then, grip his toes tightly without jerking them. Remember, your goal is to cut the nail as close to the quick as possible, without cutting the quick.
When trimming your dog’s nails, look for an oval on the nail bed, which indicates the depth of the nail bed. As you get closer to the quick, the oval widens until it is the same size as the nail. Stopping at this point indicates that you have cut to the proper depth, and it is safe to remove the clipped nail.
Walking on a hard surface often causes the quick to naturally recede toward the nail, so you should trim your dog’s nails to avoid causing any pain.
Walking My Dog After Cutting the Quick
It can be tricky to walk your dog after a quick cut. The initial 48 hours are the hardest, but your dog should start to feel better within a week. The overall recovery time is two weeks. The recovery time will depend on the severity of the cut and the treatment your offer.
Dogs feel pain when you cut the quick. The pain level will depend on the depth of the cut. The deeper the cut, the more damaged the nerves will be. If your dog’s quick is deep, you need to take them to a vet to stop the bleeding.
Once you tend to the wound, it will start healing in the next few days. If there is no further bleeding and the wound looks dry, you can take your dog on walks. Observe the way your dog walks inside the house. If they are walking comfortably, you can take them for walking.
However, if the wound is not fully healed and your dog is still limping, it is best to let them rest for a few more days. If you take them out, grass or dirt can get accumulated in the wound, thereby infecting it. If the wound is infected, you need to take the dog to a vet.
Normally, the quick cut heals within a week, so you can resume the daily walks accordingly. However, make sure you treat the cut before you take the dog for a walk.
What to Do If You Accidentally Cut the Quick?
If you’ve ever accidentally cut your dog quick, you know how painful it is. Instead of cutting the nails too short, you should leave white space between the quick and the cut. This way, your dog won’t feel pain when you trim its nails.
A quick cut on a dog’s nail is a painful experience, particularly if the cut is deep. A small amount of bleeding may occur, but you should still stop immediately. A dog will start to yelp and bleed. Depending on how much blood is leaking from the cut, you might be able to stop the bleeding by applying pressure.
After stopping the bleeding, you need to clean the cut and wipe any dried blood. After disinfecting the wound, you need to apply an ointment to relieve the pain and soothe the cut. You can also use styptic powder or cornstarch to stop the bleeding and heal the wound.
You need to regularly check and examine your dog’s paw for any signs of infection. With proper care, your will be able to start walking in a few days.
Conclusion
When you trim your dog’s nails, check the quick and don’t cut them too short, or else it will result in bleeding and discomfort.
If you accidentally cut it, make sure you stop the bleeding and apply styptic powder to the cut. Once the quick heals, you can start taking your furry friend on daily walks again.
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