If you want to keep your dog's nails trimmed without having to make expensive visits to the groomer, consider trying a nail grinder. This tool will leave your dog's claws feeling smooth, plus there are plenty of other benefits to using one. Nail grinders are affordable, widely available, and fairly easy to use if you follow a few basic directions.
How to Use a Nail Grinder for Dogs
Nail grinders either have a power cord or are cordless and battery-operated. Regardless, each grinder has a cylinder-shaped body with a grinding head on the end that is used to shorten and smooth the dog's nails. While these tools are not particularly difficult to use, there are some safety precautions to take, as well as a few specific techniques you'll need to master in order to get professional-looking results.
Safety First
Using a nail grinder can be dangerous, so the first thing you want to do is make sure there will be no hair in the way. If your dog has long hair, you need to pull it back so there's no chance it can get caught in the grinder's spinning tip. If your dog has long hair on their paws and between the foot pads, it's best to trim those first to lessen the risk of catching it in the grinder.
Steps for Grinding Nails
Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to give your dog a nail trim using a grinder.
- Hold the dog securely with their paw extended. Always be prepared to stop temporarily if the dog struggles and you will need to position them again before proceeding.
- Working on one nail at a time, gently apply the grinder to the bottom of the nail tip and slowly bring it up and around to the top of the nail tip. When you reach the top of the tip, work back down to your starting point again.
- Repeat this process several times until you've removed the sharp tip, but not so much that you grind into the quick and make the nail bleed.
- When you've taken off as much length as you need to, gently apply the grinder in a circular motion around the tip several times to polish it smooth.
- Repeat the entire process on each of your dog's nails.
Advantages of Using a Grinder
There are several advantages to using a grinder versus a standard dog nail trimmer.
- Grinding is virtually painless when it's done properly, although your dog may need to become accustomed to the vibration of the grinder head against their nails.
- You can get a nice, smooth tip that looks quite natural, rather than the jagged tips that many trimmers leave behind.
- You're far less likely to expose the nail quick and cause bleeding.
Challenges Encountered When Grinding Dog Nails
It can take some time to get the hang of using a grinder, and your dog might have some reservations of their own.
Help Your Dog Acclimate
You may have to help your dog get accustomed and desensitized to the sound of the grinder if they're scared of it. Do this by turning on the grinder and offering them some irresistible treats. This way, they can begin associating the sound with a pleasant reward.
Give Your Dog Breaks
Grinding creates heat, which may frighten your dog a bit. Be prepared to take your time and give your dog breaks the first few times you use the grinder. They'll eventually get used to the warmth, as well as the way the grinder feels against the nails. You can also work on each nail a little at a time to keep heating to a minimum.
Test Which Grinder Works Best
If your grinder comes with different sized stones and grit sanding bands, you may have to experiment to find which one you like working with best.
Finding the Best Canine Nail Grinder
You can purchase a nail grinder at most pet supply stores as well as online. Amazon is a good place to look, as are PetSmart, Chewy, and Walmart. The following grinders are recommended for their durability and performance. Since they all have low and high-speed settings, you can use them on any size dog.
Oster Gentle Paws Less Stress Dog and Cat Nail Grinder, 2 Speed
Oster is a trusted name for dog grooming professionals, and this model is a very good choice for pet owners as well.
Features
The tool comes with everything you need, including medium and fine grit sanding bands, so you can use the coarser grit for the main grinding and the finer grit for polishing. This model also has a unique safety feature that automatically stops the head from spinning if anything gets wrapped around it. The entire kit comes with a case.
Pricing and Warranty
The Oster nail grinder is priced under $30.00. Replacement parts are readily available.
Customer Reviews
With almost 6,000 customer reviews, this grinder is rated excellent by a majority of users. Positive comments included appreciation that the power cord eliminated the need to recharge the tool, the professional results, and the fact that dog owners no longer had to worry about cutting the nails too short and hurting their pets. On the downside, some customers said their dogs feared the sound of the grinder, and they didn't like the dust produced when grinding the nails.
Dremel 7350-PT 4V Pet Nail Grooming Tool
Dremel is a well-respected name in professional quality nail grinders. The Dremel 7350-PT 4-Volt Pet Grooming Kit is cordless, which makes it a little easier to maneuver while you're grinding your pet's nails.
Features
This grinder has two speed settings, so it's easy to adjust between working on large or small nails with just the amount of control you need. It runs on a 4-volt battery and comes with a USB charging cord.
Pricing and Warranty
The Dremel sells for around $40.
Customer Reviews
Although not every customer was satisfied with this tool, it does receive high marks from most users based on more than 3,000 customer reviews. Positive comments included that some dogs didn't pull away from the Dremel like they did from standard clippers and that the power on the low speed was enough to get the job done. This grinder is easy to put together and holds a charge but is still fairly loud.
FURminator Nail Grinder Professional Grooming Tool for Pets
FURminator's nail grinder is a part of their popular line of products for dog nail and hair care.
Features
A dog nail grinder with a guard is much less stressful for any pet owner who's new to grinding their dog's nails. This grinder has two speeds and is quiet and cordless for easy use. It also has an automatic LED light, making it safer to use. It uses four AA batteries, and a pack comes with the kit for immediate use.
Pricing and Warranty
The Furminator sells for about $20.
Customer Reviews
Out of over 3,000 customer reviews, the Furminator was well-liked by the highest percentage of users. Users appreciated the speed and power of the grinder and the rubber grips, which keep it from slipping while using it. They also liked the guard and the LED light for safety. Users with negative reviews claimed it was noisy, and the plastic casing felt inexpensive.
You'll Never Know Unless You Try
Will a grinder be the right solution for your pet's nail trimming needs? You can always ask a groomer to try it on your pet's nails first, but each grinder is less than the average cost of a grooming in most places. If your dog currently struggles when you try to use regular trimmers, you may find it worth your while to make a small investment in a grinder and then see if your pet is less resistant to having their nails done. If you like the results, you'll know you've made the right choice.
