Lots of dogs squirm and shake when it comes time to cut their nails. Usually this is because they’ve had them cut too short before, and aren’t keen to experience that pain again. Nail grinders rather than clippers are a great way to trim your dog’s nails, and a good one should do it without any pain.
5 Best Dog Nail Grinders
Master Grooming
The powerful motor in this product allows you to trim your pet’s nails like a professional. This even comes with a hanging hook for storage and finger grooves to give you good control.
Why It’s So Popular:
– The cord makes it so the batteries don’t run out over time or mid-trim
– The control is really strong
– It fits really well in the hand and is more quiet
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Keep In Mind:
– The motor torque is fairly low, so you can’t use it on a lower setting
– The high speed spinning can be a little distressing
Oster Nail Grinder
Oster’s lightweight and ergonomic design includes finger grips for superior control and comfort. You can even alter the speed to safely and effectively grind.
Why It’s So Popular:
– With the cord, you don’t have to bother with charging
– Perfect for all sizes of dogs, with no pain
– Much more powerful than battery operated models
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Keep In Mind:
– The noise may scare some pets
– The lower speed is less frightening, but does not cut as well
Andis EasyClip 2 Speed
Make your life easier with one that works quickly for both dogs and cats. Your arm won’t get tired when you’re holding this lightweight product, and the grip shouldn’t be a problem with its silicone sleeve.
Why It’s So Popular:
– The two speeds work great for getting your pet used to it
– It runs really quietly and has a long cord
– There’s a safety addition, so if fur does get caught in it, it automatically stops for a few seconds
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Keep In Mind:
– You have to slide pads back in
– The overall power of the motor isn’t as strong as some of the others
Dremel 7300-PT
The rotary took in the Dremel has two rotation speeds that you can choose from. The cordless operation makes it easy to use while the product itself is backed by a warranty for any broken parts.
Why It’s So Popular:
– The sander itself is small and light, so it’s easy to hold
– When sanding, even on high, the vibrations are minimal and the noise is low
– Works great even for cats
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Keep In Mind:
– The LED light for charging gives no indication of whether it’s fully charged or not
iLifeTech Grooming
The rechargeable iLifeTech works on all breeds of cats and dogs. It even includes a low vibration quality that’ll keep things quiet so your pet doesn’t feel scared.
Why It’s So Popular:
– It’s small enough that you can move from room to room with it
– Very lightweight and quiet
– Works quickly and efficiently, even with a squirmy pet
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Keep In Mind:
– You may not like the rechargeable quality
CONAIR PRO PET PRODUCTS
This Conair one is known for being quiet, lightweight, and compact. With the interchangeable stone and sander attachments, your pet will get the spa experience.
Why It’s So Popular:
– It works well and is very quiet compared to battery operated ones
– The included hood does a great job of collecting dust
– It never drops in power or speed while using it
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Keep In Mind:
– You need to be very careful not to overheat the claw
– The cover doesn’t collect as much dust as you’d hope
Hertzo Electric Pet
Hertzo takes pride in the fact that they use a diamond bit for a safer experience for your pet. There are three size ports for different sized pets and an easy to clean piece just for you.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Small, lightweight, easy to grip, almost completely silent
– The head is small enough to get the dew claws easily
– The charger lasts long enough to do all four claws twice
Check price and more details here
Keep In Mind:
– People say it’s sometimes not powerful enough
– It’s power is low enough that you can stop it with your finger
Benefits Of Using Nail Grinders For Your Dogs
One main benefit is that you won’t need to worry about having unsteady hands. If you happen to shake a little, it won’t be a problem with a lesser amount of precision needed. You’ll still need to hold your pet still however. Fearful dogs will also benefit.
It’s easy unfortunately to cut a little too deep, and they help you avoid that. Nails will have smooth edges as well, so they not only look nicer, but won’t snag on carpet in your home. Any jumping and scratching won’t hurt you as much either.
Finally, they reduce cracking and pinching. Clippers create pressure that can crack the nail and hurt the dog, but they do not.
What To Look For
Dog’s Nail Color
It’s easier to trim nails that are clear. When you’re grinding, you can better see the quick containing the nerves and blood vessels. Darker nails make this much more difficult, which is why they are safer. You won’t need to guess when you cut.
Dew Claws
Dew claws can help your pet grip and climb out of slippery areas, so you don’t want to get them too close to the fur. It could tangle, scaring your pet and causing them unnecessary panic and pain.
Fears
Abused dogs especially can be fearful of new stimuli, but all dogs with bad experiences may find it difficult to use a grinder or a clipper. In cases where you aren’t sure if it’s a good idea to grab that grinder, a specialist might be able to help you.
How To Grind Your Dog’s Nails
If you’re just starting off with your pup, I’ve got a few tips to make your life so much easier. First off, get your canine used to it. Introduce it slowly and with treats. Get your pet to sniff it, turn the grinder on and off, turn it on for a while, and gently nip its nails. It might take a few weeks to do the whole process, but it’ll be worth it for your pet’s stress relief.
When you’re able to start, only go little by little. Support the toe, don’t squeeze, and grind across the bottom and in from the tip. Do this weekly to maintain short nails. Hold it higher up towards the top for more control, and make sure your pet’s comfortable as well. When you hold their paw, it’s recommended to do it in a way that makes it easy to separate the toes. Just make sure your canine is okay with it!
I’ve got some words of warning too. They may get hot, so be careful when you’re using it! Only hold it against the nail for a second or two at a time. It’s better to go slowly. Watch out for fur too. Hold back any long hair to keep it away. You can try little tricks like pushing the dog’s nail through an old pair of pantyhose, but whatever you do, avoid that fur.
Conclusion
It may seem a little daunting when you’re choosing one. You want to get a product that will trim your dog’s nails without scaring them or making them feel uncomfortable. A grinder might be perfect for you then, and once your pet gets used to it, you’ll find that it’s much easier to avoid nail clipping trauma for you both.