CNS News– Any dog owner will tell you that cutting your dog’s nails is hard, but it’s even harder if your dog has black nails. How are you supposed to find the quick when you can’t see it? If you don’t have x-ray vision, you’ll need a good plan to keep from cutting the sensitive quickly. Not to worry—we’ve put together 4 ways to find the quick on your dog’s black nails, along with some helpful tips for cutting them. Prepare to confidently clip!
How Can You Tell if You Have Quick Black Nails?
Consequently, the trick of finding the quick on black dog nails is to locate the Pulp. This soft tissue is located just in front of the quick and helps you to decide when to stop cutting. It is slightly less dark than the dog nail and can be identified by its circular appearance.
Can You See the Quick from Under the Nail?
Usually, you can’t see the quick very easily in dogs with dark-colored nails. However, if you look at the underside of the nail, you may be able to see a softer, more “crumbly” part of the nail that looks different from the outer shell. That is the quick you are seeing.
What Happens if A Dog’s Quick Is Exposed but Not Bleeding?
Your dog’s nail quick can be exposed due to a trimming issue or lack of nutrition. Nail quicks may also become overgrown, making nail trims stressful. If a dog nail quickly is exposed, clean and wrap it to prevent infection. If the bleeding does not stop, visit your vet immediately.
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Can You See the Quick in Dark Nails?
From a top view, it is virtually impossible to see the quick. However, it can help to look at the bottom of your dog’s black nails; there may be a groove on the underside that separates the hard nail from the soft cuticle. You will want to avoid trimming into the soft cuticle because it contains your dog’s nails quickly.
Does the Quick Grow Out With the Nail?
When you fail to trim your dog’s nails as frequently as needed, they quickly grow along with the nails. In some cases, when the nails are extra long, the quick may lengthen so much that it reaches the tip. When this happens, you won’t be able to trim many nails without risking cutting through the quick.
How Far Down the Nail Is the Quick?
It’s best to not cut within 2 millimeters of the quick. As you cut the nail deeper, a gray-to-pink oval starts to appear at the top of the cut surface of the nail. Stop cutting the nail at this point as additional cutting will cut into the quick and cause bleeding.
What Happens if A Dog’s Quick Is Exposed but Not Bleeding?
Your dog’s nail quick can be exposed due to a trimming issue or lack of nutrition. Nail quicks may also become overgrown, making nail trims stressful. If a dog nail quickly is exposed, clean and wrap it to prevent infection. If the bleeding does not stop, visit your vet immediately.
What Happens if My Dog’s Quick Is Exposed?
The quick will need to be cleaned carefully and usually, a bandage will be placed. Depending on the severity of the injury and how much quick is exposed, the bandage may need to stay on for several days. Your dog may be sent home on antibiotics to prevent infection as well as pain medication to keep him comfortable.
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What Does an Exposed Quick Look Like on A Dog?
You also may be able to see the exposed quickly. The quick is a fleshy protrusion from the end of the toe, and it may vary from pink to black. If you accidentally touch the quick of the toenail, your dog will likely react with pain. (Be careful – the pain may be severe enough to cause your dog to bite!)
