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My dog's ingrown toenail is splintering and she keeps licking it.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed

My dog has a toenail that goes into her paw. The nail looks long and I think it is splintering. Please help, she keeps licking it. Thank you!

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on October 1st, 2016

Ouch, poor pup! The nail will have to be cut, but if it's growing into her paw, it may be too painful for you to cut it. Sometimes dogs who have painful nails will not let their owners cut them, and they will have to be sedated by the vet in order to get it done. You can try to cut the nail yourself, and if you are successful, you will need to clean her pad afterwards with an antiseptic soap and warm water. The next day, you can do an epsom salt and warm bath soak with her paw twice a day, and do that for a couple of days. Keep an eye on the area, and if you see redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, the area is infected and she will need to see a vet for antibiotics. If Bellas doesn't let you cut the nail, I would take her into the vet first thing during normal business hours today or tomorrow so that your vet can cut it for you and clean the area. Don't feed her the night before in case they need to sedate her to get her nail cut.

21Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 26th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the picture you provided, it appears as though the toe / nail has been licked at more than I would like to see. I would recommend putting a plastic cone around Echo's neck (can pick up at Petco) to prevent Echo from licking at the area. You can also soak the foot in an epsom salt solution to help relieve the area from irritation / inflammation. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. If the toe swells or you begin to see pus around the area, I would recommend having the veterinarian take a look at Echo so that the most appropriate treatment recommendations can be made. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on January 6th, 2018
It sounds like poor Leica has broken a toenail! Those can be very painful, but if she is acting otherwise normal, it may not be bothering her much. Nails can bleed a lot, so dip the nail in styptic powder, use a styptic pencil, or cornstarch. These should help stop the bleeding. I would not try to remove the nail yourself, that may be very painful to her. Bandage it up to keep the area clean and dry, and to prevent infection from entering the nail. You may need to put an Ecollar on her to keep her from licking at it. You can get one at a pet store or make one at home (I will put a link below on how to do it). Have her seen by a vet on Monday to have the nail removed if needed. I wouldn't feed her after 8pm or in the morning of the appointment in case the vet needs to sedate her to remove the nail. I would only take her into emergency if the nail doesn't stop bleeding and/or she appears very painful. Good luck, I hope this helps!

http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on March 14th, 2020
There are no pain relievers you can give Little Bit. As I said in your previous post, many human ones are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. You can try soaking her toe in an Epsom salt bath to see if that helps, but she really should see a vet for her pain.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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