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My dog ripped a nail off her front paw. What should I do to help her?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Bulldog | Female | unspayed | 2 years and 1 month old

My dog has ripped her nail off on her front paw what can i do

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Summer Walker, DVM, MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 20th, 2018

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Ouch, poor Naria. If the nail is completely removed and exposing the nail bed, keep the toe as clean as possible to try to prevent infection. For my patients that have done this, I typically will place them on oral antibiotics and analgesics (pain medication) to prevent infection and keep them comfortable while the nail regrows. Some nails will not regrow normally if the nailbed was also injured. If Naria is limping on the affected paw, or the toe becomes swollen I would recommend having her seen by her veterinarian for appropriate medications to be dispensed.

3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Shaneez Wallani, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 3rd, 2018
Poor Sheila! I recommend contacting a veterinarian to have Sheila ’s nail evaluated, as you are correct that it is likely causing her a lot of pain. Pain medications meant for humans can be very dangerous (and even deadly) for dogs, so I do not recommend giving any to your pup without consulting with your vet. Your veterinarian can prescribe safe medication to help with the pain, bandage the area if necessary, and may want to recommend a topical or systemic antibiotic to help reduce the risk of infection, as infection is a concern. In the meantime, keep the area clean and dry, keep an e-collar (cone) on Sheila to help prevent her from licking the area, and cover it when you take her outside to help keep the area clean. You can use dog boots for this, or a plastic bag, but remember not to tie it too tight, and to take it off when she goes back inside. I hope Sheila feels better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Tomasz Wnuk
Veterinarian
Published on June 1st, 2021
Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I suspect Narcissa has broken her nail and the nail bed may be exposed. This can be a very painful condition, particularly when the nail bed gets infected.
A visit at your local vets is recommended to fully assess the damage and to prescribe medications for Narcissia, likely a course of pain killers and antibiotics.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on June 10th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Sakari!

Without seeing a picture it will be hard to give advice. I am sure it is painful and it could be potentially infected. I wonder though if the nail is broken up at the nail bed and that is why it is so painful. When the nail is broken it is a constant source of pain. I think you have done all that you can do at home. You could try soaking the paw in Epsom salts twice daily and drying the paw well, though that may loosen the liquid bandage. I would have Sakari seen by a Vet Monday morning. I do not recommend human pain medications.

I wish Sakari a speedy recovery!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog's nail ripped off. Why are there two nails on his painful toe?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! When humans or dogs rip off their nails there is a possibility they can grow back abnormally or when he tore it in may not all of the old nail came off and part of it is still there. I would have your Vet take a look. If there is old nail still present he may need to be sedated to trim that away so the new nail can grow in appropriately. Good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's nail is pulled off and the quick is exposed. What to do?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If you can remove the nail that is remaining, I would. You can cut the quick, too, if needed. If it bleeds, thickly apply something powdered, like corn starch or flour, to clot the blood. Then place a bandage over the nail for no longer than 24 hours. You MUST take the bandage off in 24 hours and do not place it tightly. If Rex is licking the area, he could cause an infection, so monitor for any swelling, discharge, or redness until the new nail grows. You can also soak the paw in an Epsom salt bath to soothe the area (make sure it is dry before applying the bandage). I cannot stress enough that he cannot wear the bandage longer than 24 hours. Good luck and kisses to Rex!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's paw nail keeps splitting. What can I do at home for her?

This may be a resistant infection or the area may keep getting reinfected because it is in a highly mobile spot where contamination is very easy (the foot). I would recommend taking your dog back to the vet for a recheck and having her sedated for the examination. This way the doctor will be able to closely examine the toe and the nail. The doctor will then be able to clip the nails back far enough to hopefully remove the problem. There is also a specific disease of the toenails that may need long-term treatment from specific medications. This is an auto-immune disease, lipoid onchodystrophy, and has a very specific presentation. Your vet should be able to determine if your dog has this condition with a thorough exam. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Dog ripped nail with quick exposed. Can I care for it at home or vet?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and for posting pictures. Poor Sloane, that looks like it hurt! Torn toenails is not uncommon in dogs. Not every torn toenail will bleed, but you did a great job caring for it at home. Keeping it clean is very important but you can only use peroxide once. From now on, you can use a mild soap to clean it if needed. Only continue to cover the area for 24 hours total. Any longer could delay healing and sometimes bandages can injure healthy tissue. I do recommend taking Sloane to a vet for pain medications. There is nothing safe over the counter that you can give pets for pain. This is not a weight bearing toe so she may not be in pain but anytime she catches the nail on something it’s going to cause some discomfort. They may also prescribe antibiotics however, keeping it clean and keeping Sloane from licking it will do the trick. The nail will grow back on its own, it will just take some time. Keep an eye on it and cut the sharp edges so it catches less. Good luck and kisses to Sloane!

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Health & Wellness

My dog's paw nail turned black and she's limping. What's wrong?

Hello. It appears that Daisy has avulsed the nail off of the sensitive nail bed. You might want to have your vet take a look at this to see if she needs antibiotics or needs to have the foot bandaged. You can soak the foot in warm water, your cleanser & Epsom salts for 10 minutes 2-3 times daily over the weekend, but if she is still having problems, please see your vet. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's nail ripped off, quick exposed. How to care for it at home?

You can use both. A thin layer of iodine ointment will serve to help prevent infection. The Woun’ dres can be applied over it. If Caesar is likely to lick it, I recommend an e-collar. He may chew and eat a bandage if he isn’t wearing an e-collar. Bandages are also tricky because they can trap moisture and can tighten, cutting off circulation to the paw. I would continue applying both three times a day until the nail bed appears completely dry and scabbed over. You can place a toddler sock or a bootie over the paw when you take Caesar outside to pee and poop but I would avoid long walks for the next week. Good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's nail is cut or broken. What should I do to treat it?

It looks like Dante broke his nail. I recommend getting a bootie to protect it and keeping it clean. Ideally Dante would have antibiotics and pain medication to help him which would come from a veterinarian. I would also recommend an elizabethan collar so Dante does not lick at that paw. If he does he can create an infection. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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