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Luckily, when your dog’s nail fell off, but there is no blood, there’s mostly nothing to worry about.
In fact, during his lifetime, he will lose a nail or two because of trauma to the nail.
Infections, cutting the nails too close to the nail bed, and a compromised immune system can also cause nail loss.
Your dog can easily exhibit more than one symptom at the same time.
But it can, of course, be a worry if you see more than one nail falling off.
Sometimes it can be your dog’s entire nail.
But it still needs attention, even when your dog’s nail fell off without blood.
Is Your Dog’s Nail Falling Off Really a Problem?
In most cases, it’s not until it brings discomfort and pain to your dog.
And you will notice that your dog is in pain when it doesn’t want to do the activities it usually does.
But if they choose to be active even when their nail is giving them discomfort, you might find them lifting up the affected leg when walking.
While others are minor cracks causing a little bit of bleeding, there are some instances when your dog’s nails are really torn off!
And they might not mind it as you would, but in that case, the pain would merit enough attention.
Therefore, you must address it as soon as possible before it gets complicated.
And because nails are connected to the bone, it would easily lead to other complications like infection.
Whether your dog’s nail is broken, loosely attached, or completely torn off, give it the proper attention it needs.
And knowing the reasons why will help you do just that.
Reasons Why Your Dog’s Nail Fell Off, But There Is No Blood
Fungus
Sometimes a fungus or a disorder present at birth can result in your dog’s nail falling off at one time or another.
One thing is sure, some of your dog’s broken- and falling-off nail issues can be taken care of at home.
Other times it will require professional treatment.
With nail fungus in dogs, it can be caused by fungal spores around rivers or lakes.
A dog nail fungus can develop when a dog’s paws are constantly damp.
Diet and hygiene also play an essential role in preventing nail fungus in dogs.
As a dog owner, you are responsible for trimming your dog’s nails and the fur surrounding them.
Just like humans, dogs are prone to infections.
After taking your pet to the vet to clear up the infection, there are things you can do to prevent future symptoms.
Make sure your dog’s space is dry and clean.
Feed him a nutritional diet and visit the vet regularly.
There could be so many conditions that cause nail problems.
By evaluating your dog, the vet can determine what is causing his nail disorders.
Weak, Brittle Nails
So what does it mean when your dog’s nail falls off, but there is no blood?
Some dogs, indeed, have weaker nails than others.
If your dog’s claws are breaking too often, you must examine your pet’s nutrition.
Your pet’s nails are made of protein, and this protein comes from the nutrients in his food.
Brittle nails that fall off mean there is a nutritional deficiency.
A solution is to speak to your vet.
You can get good advice on dog food for your canine friend.
Luckily for dogs, most nail disorders have an excellent treatment prognosis.
A Disease Of The Claw
With dogs, there is a nail disease known as Symmetric Lupoid Onychodystrophy/onychitis or SLO.
It’s an uncommon disease of the claw, with the nail problem originating in the claw bed.
It is mainly seen in large breed dogs.
The sign your dog could have this ailment is licking off the nails.
The claws lift from the nail bed, affecting all nails on the paws.
While the nails will regrow, they will be misshapen and brittle.
Bacterial infections will also be seen as the toenails splitting, cracking, or falling off, exposing the nail bed.
Treating lupoid onychodystrophy isn’t easy because no single treatment has been proven to work in every dog.
The ailment results in unhealthy nails that fall off after a while.
A Poor Diet
Common treatments include a combination of fatty acids, vitamin E, and biotin supplements.
A change of diet can also be helpful.
Common signs that your dog isn’t getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals in his diet include brittle nails that fall off.
Nutrition, or the lack of it, is often a major cause of nail shedding.
Just like humans, dog nails are made of keratin.
The proteins that make up this keratin depend on your pet’s diet.
A poor diet won’t provide the proper nutrients.
This, in turn, means poor keratin formation in a dog’s nail, leading to nail loss.
If you believe that your pet is on a nutritious diet yet still exhibits nail loss, it is recommended that you include a vitamin supplement.
Besides quality dog food, fish oil supplements will build your pet’s immune system.
It will also shine up his coat and strengthen his nails.
Biotin supports healthy nails and is a great supplement for dogs with weak nails.
Diseases That Compromise The Nail
Some autoimmune disorders affect the nails.
It can take your vet a while to diagnose autoimmune disorders to get to the root of the problem.
Treatment can sometimes involve immunosuppressive drugs.
Also, tumors can grow on the nail beds.
Some of these tumors are cancerous, and the vet will take samples.
Treatment can include chemotherapy or even surgery.
Dog nail problems can be linked to a skin issue since nails are an extension of the skin.
If there is a secondary bacterial- or fungal infection, your dog may require antibiotics.
There are also antifungal creams and medicated washes for dogs.
You can attempt some of these treatments at home.
However, you can only acquire antibiotics from your vet.
Look For ‘Nail-Falling-Off’ Symptoms
If your dog’s nail has fallen off, you may notice him walking oddly, as if in pain.
He may also be licking frantically at his paws.
There may also be some redness and swelling.
Certain medical conditions can weaken your dog’s nails and cause them to fall off.
They become brittle, and you may find nail sheaths around your home.
Indeed, if several nails are affected and have fallen off, there could be a serious underlying medical condition.
Treatment will be according to your dog’s underlying medical condition, which causes its nail to fall off.
Some Home Treatments When Your Dog’s Nail Fell Off But There Is No Blood
There are one or two things that you can do to help your dog.
You’ll need someone to hold your pet while you examine his paws.
If you have a muzzle, you should use it on your pet.
The gentlest dog can give you a nip from pain and bewilderment.
You may even find that there is still part of the nail left.
You can cut this down with sharp nail clippers.
If you’re afraid you could hurt your dog further, it’s best left to the veterinarian.
You can also apply antibiotic ointment or powder to the exposed nail bed.
Fortunately, topical ointments for pets can clear up a nail issue.
If you can, bandage the foot to avoid infection.
Your dog’s paw will need to be monitored over the next few days.
If it won’t heal and looks infected for some reason, you should schedule a visit to your veterinarian.
Conclusion
When your dog’s nail falls off, but there is no blood, treating your pet yourself is always a good idea.
Some amazing medications can be bought over the counter.
If you don’t see any improvement, call your veterinarian if you are concerned about your pet’s general health.
Nails and their injuries can be painful.
But dogs often put on a brave face even when experiencing horrendous pain.
Evaluate the nail and see if you can treat the injury at home.
Healing and recovery often need to come from you.
However, sometimes veterinary intervention will be required to manage the trauma better for your beloved pet.
A passionate content creator on pet behavior, nutrition choices, and health, Mike is an experienced pet expert. He has been writing on multiple websites to compensate for his passion for cats. Mike grieves around plenty of pets in his parents’ house. At the start of his career, he had a sturdy intention to be a part of pet care by any means.
With his affiliation to Purrfect n’ Pawesome, he found a way to satiate his craving to participate in pet health, wellness, and behavior analysis. He has been a significant part of our team and a major contributor in equipping our site with useful, authentic, and research-backed articles.
“I love pets as much as I love to travel to explore multiple places and lifestyles. I have been attached to this pawsome platform for many years, and my experience regarding pets has enhanced significantly by using various devices to write articles. I believe in writing my thoughts and experiences, so I try to write down the experience and learnings for my readers no matter where I am and what my mood is.”