When you pull out the nail clippers, does your dog go crazy?
You can't blame your dog with a few terrible encounters with your nail being sliced to the quick and bleeding would make you squirmy.
The good news is that there is a better option than dog nail clippers: nail grinders!
We'll go over the best dog nail grinders today, as well as how to safely dremel dog nails.
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Should you cut or grind your dog's nails?
A grinding tool can give a smoother finish to the dogs nail.
It is because owners believe they have more control over the cutting procedure.
Grinding is more accurate than nail clippers.
What is a Nail Grinder for Dog?
Dog nail grinders are grooming instruments that are used as an alternative to clippers for dogs who don't like clippers.
Nail grinders are also known as “dremels,” a brand name for a famous and well-known grinding tool made by Dremel.
Rather than clipping the nail, a pets nail grinder employs a high-speed, spherical grinder with a sandpaper-like substance to grind away at it.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using a Dog Nail Grinder
There are several benefits and drawbacks to utilizing a nail grinder rather than a nail cutter.
We'll go over a few of the major ones here.
Nail Grinders Have These Benefits:
- It's a good idea if you have shaky hands. If your hands aren't steady enough to clip your dog's nails, a nail grinder may be more convenient. You'll still need to keep your dog still, but you won't need to target the grinder with the same amount of precision as you would with clippers.
- Fearful dogs will benefit from this. If your dog has had a few bad experiences with nail clippers, he may be scared of round two (sadly, cutting your dog's quick and causing him to bleed is extremely easy – especially if he has dark nails). Grinders are more convenient to use and allow owners to avoid cutting the quick.
- Smooth edges are guaranteed. You can use a grinder to smooth the edges of your dog's nails, making them look nicer and preventing them from snagging on carpeting or other fabrics. If your dog is a jumper (ouch, my legs) or a scratcher, having smoother nails will help.
- Cracking and pinching are reduced. While trimming, clippers pinch down on your dog's cuticle, which can cause injury even if you do not strike the cuticle. Clipper pressure can cause your dog's nails to shatter in some circumstances (though this is not very common).
Nail Grinders Have Some Drawbacks:
- It's possible that your dog is still afraid. Unfortunately, your dog may get afraid as soon as you grab his paws, so the grinder may not be effective in reducing anxiety right once. The sound of the grinder may make your dog uncomfortable, therefore it's difficult to predict how well your dog will tolerate the nail grinding process even with grinders. As you show your dog the grinder and handle his paws, be sure to provide plenty of goodies and praise to build up to the grinding.
- It's Still Possible to Hit the Quick. As you grind, keep a close eye on where your dog's quick is (you should be able to start to see a small dot in the middle, even for dogs with dark nails). You can still strike your dog's quick with grinders (though it's much easier to do unintentionally with nail clippers).
- Noises of humming Although the noise level varies between machines and speeds, the humming noise of the grinder might surprise and frighten pets.
- There's an odor and there's dust. Grinding a dog's nails might produce an unpleasant stench. This is usually solved by your dog's nails being ground outside. Wearing eye protection or a mouth cover is a good idea.
Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Grind Your Dog's Nails
Get the lowdown on how to grind your dog's nails efficiently and successfully before you start grinding.
Make Sure Your Dog Is Used To Using The Grinder
Small steps should be taken while introducing your dog to the grinder before nail trimming(and with plenty of treats and praise at every step).
To begin, show your dog the grinder and reward him (like some stinky, yummy treats).
To get the dog sniffing and close to the grinder (when it's off), place treats around it.
After that, take the grinder in your palm and quickly turn it on and off, then reward yourself.
You're acclimating your dog to the sound of the grinder, which can be frightening at first.
Then, for a longer period of time, turn on the grinder and reward yourself.
Finally, turn on the grinder and congratulate your dog by tapping his nail (for a little duration).
This procedure will not be completed in a single day; in fact, it may take several weeks to acclimatize your dog.
Take your time and go slowly.
When you can grind down your dog's nails without tension, it will be well worth it!
Tips and Tricks for Dog Nail Grinding
- Grind a small portion at a time. Even if you have a nail grinder, you should only grind a small portion of your dog's nail at a time. Support the dog's toe but do not overstretch it. Grind across the bottom of the nail, then inward from the tip, smoothing down any rough edges as you go. If you do this once a week, the quick will fade and you'll be able to keep your dog's nails short with ease.
- Keep a close eye on the top. For better control, hold the grinder higher up, closer to the top.
- Maintain Your Dog's Comfort. As you grind the nails, make sure your dog is in a comfortable position. Also, think about how you'll support your dog's foot. Hold your dog's paw in such a way that you can easily separate the toes from one another and press the nail you're grinding out further. Some dogs prefer to sit with their paws extended, while others prefer to bend their paws backwards. Find out what works best for you and your dog.
- Grinders are extremely hot! Keep in mind that grinders get hot, so just keep them against the nail for a second or two at a time. Shorten your dog's nail by pressing and releasing in small increments.
- Keep an eye out for hair and fur. If your dog has long hair, make sure to keep it back and away from the grinding tool to avoid getting it hooked! Vet Street recommends putting an old pair of pantyhose over your dog's paw and pushing the nail through with it. This allows you to cut the nail while keeping any paw fur at bay!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does grinding a dog's nails hurt them?
Grinding your dog's nails is a painless method of grooming them.
Nail grinders function by filing your dog's nails to make them dull without causing them any pain or discomfort.
As a result, when your dog sees the nail grinder, he won't run away from you.
Can you use human nail grinder on dogs?
Never use a nail file made for humans on your dog's nails.
Should I grind my dogs nails?
Once your dog's nails have achieved a proper length, only one or two brief grinding sessions each month should suffice to keep them in good shape.
Finally, don't grind on a single nail for more than a second or two at a time, as the friction creates heat, which causes a burning feeling.