Answer

Broken nails aren’t uncommon in dogs, and they generally aren’t any more dangerous than a broken toenail is to you. In some cases they can bleed a lot, because the quick - the live tissue inside the base of the nail - can be exposed. If the nail’s bleeding, you can put pressure on it with a clean cloth (if your pup will sit still for that). If that doesn’t work, you may need to take your dog to the veterinarian to get the bleeding stopped.

Your dog’s nail should grow out again in a couple of days, but it might cause her some pain until then. You can help her by keeping the nail area clean, so it won’t get infected. Wipe her feet when she comes in from outside; you can even clean her foot with hydrogen peroxide if she gets into anything particularly messy. If the nail wasn’t completely broken off and there’s still a piece of broken nail hanging on, it will probably have to be removed so the nail can heal. If you’re not comfortable cutting it off yourself, your veterinarian can do it.

The most important thing to watch will be the skin at the base of her nail. If that skin turns red or swells in the next couple of weeks, or if your dog’s foot stays sore for more than a few days, take your pup to your veterinarian.