Ask any dog parent what grooming chore they hate the most, and it will almost always be trimming their dog’s nails. Both dogs and their owners dislike this task. Thankfully, there are now easier ways to trim your dog’s nails without the stress placed on you both.
There are many types of dog nail clippers on the market. From the Guillotine type to forge trimmers, dog owners have many kinds available to them. Unfortunately, some of these nail trimmers cause undue fear and anxiety for dogs.
Learning how to trim a dog’s nails can be challenging. Just like humans, a dog’s nails are continuously growing. With rapid growth comes the need for frequent trimmings. With this guide, owners will learn how to use dog nail grinder to easily take care of dog’s long nails.
Dog Nail Grinders Prevent Pain
Dog nail grinders are powered by batteries or electric plugs. These mechanical tools are meant to safely grind a dog’s nails down without the danger of hitting the nail quick.
The hyponychium, quick of the nail, is an area under the nail bed that is rich in blood vessels and nerve endings. On some dogs, it is easy to see the nail quick because it shows up as a pink area under the dog’s clear nails.
For dogs with dark nails, it is much easier to hit the quick, causing great discomfort and bleeding, which can be stressful for both dog and owner. Once a dog has had his nail quick injured, he often becomes overly afraid of nail trimming. This also makes it necessary for pet parents to know how to stop dog nail bleeding in the event that it happens.
Using the best dog nail grinders help to prevent cutting a nail to the quick. These devices have a spinning grinder head that slowly grinds down the dog’s nail to the desired length.
Although dog nail grinders are fairly easy to use, there are some safety precautions you should be aware of before you begin trimming your dog’s nails. In this guide, I will tell you step by step how to grind your dog’s nails and how to deal with any fear your dog may feel regarding nail trimming.
Always Practice Safety First
A dog nail grinder is much less dangerous than sharp nail trimmers, but that does not mean it is not without safety risks. One of the biggest dangers of a dog nail grinder is the spinning tip.
If your dog has long hair, make sure to pull it back and keep it secured with soft bands. If your dog has long hair between the pads of his feet, learn how to trim dog paw hair first before you attempt to grind his nails.
Long hair can get caught in the spinning head of the grinder and could cause injuries. It would also be wise for those with long hair to keep their own hair pinned up while working with a nail grinder.
Always follow the instructions of your dog’s nail grinder. Using a nail grinder inappropriately could lead to serious injuries, including electric shock. By following the manufacturer’s instructions and those listed below, you will be able to use this device safely.
How to Use a Dog Nail Grinder
While using a dog nail grinder may seem easy, there are some steps you need to be aware of to ensure your dog’s nails are trimmed safely [1]. Rushing the process is not advised. You should only trim your dog’s nails when he and you both are relaxed.
1. Start Young
When dogs are young, they have not yet developed fears that prevent them from having their nails trimmed. As dogs grow older, fears and anxiety begin to set in, and a dog may give you trouble. Ideally, you should begin trimming your dog’s nails around six weeks of age, if his nails have grown long enough. If you are unsure of how to take care of your dog’s nails, ask your vet for assistance.
2. Start Slowly
Before attempting to trim your dog’s nails, show him the device without turning it on. Allow him to sniff and paw at the device. Try this a few times, and then turn it on without using the device. Slowly work up to helping your dog grow accustomed to the nail grinder before you first start using it. This takes time and patience, but it will help your dog grow accustomed to the nail grinder and feel more comfortable when you trim his nails.
3. Learn Your Dog’s Nail Anatomy
It cannot be stressed enough that you need to learn your dog’s nail anatomy. As stated above, the anatomy of a dog with clear nails is easy to see. The pink part is the quick, and this area needs to be avoided.
Dark-colored nails do not allow you to see the quick at all. This is why you must grind your dog’s nails in small increments, making sure to avoid the quick that may be longer than on a dog with clear nails.
If you are ever in doubt about the anatomy of your dog’s nails, do not trim them until you have talked with your vet. A vet will be able to instruct you on where to cut so you can avoid problems with cutting into the quick and causing pain.
4. Decide How Much Nail Needs to Be Trimmed
Before you even turn on the dog nail grinder, you need to know how many nails to cut. As a rule of thumb, you should remember that the part of the nail that curls downward needs to be trimmed. The nail should be even with the pad of your dog’s paw. Any nail that is hanging below the pad needs to be trimmed so it does not cause discomfort when your dog is walking.
5. Make Your Dog Comfortable
It is highly important your dog feels relaxed and comfortable while he is having his nails trimmed. Do not attempt to trim a dog’s nails if he is anxious or overly hyper. Do what makes your dog comfortable. Other pet owners find the need to first learn how to sedate a dog for grooming but this can be avoided if your dog is already used to this routine. Some dogs may prefer to be in their owner’s lap, while others may want to rest comfortably on the floor. Once your dog is relaxed and comfortable, you may begin grinding his nails.
6. Get Started Grinding Your Dog’s Nails
You will need to grind your dog’s nails at a 45-degree angle, being careful to grind small slices of the nail at each pass. If your dog’s nails are black, it will be extremely important to take things slowly. Once you see a black dot at the top of the nail, when looking at it head-on, this means you are about to enter the quick zone and should stop. You will know your dog’s nails have been trimmed properly when his nails do not touch the floor when he is walking.
Accidents Will Happen
No matter how carefully you cut your dog’s nails, accidents can happen. If you cut too deeply and your dog bleeds, try not to panic. It is wise to keep some silver nitrate on hand because it stops the bleeding quickly.
You can also use pressure with gauze or some flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding fast. If the bleeding does not respond within about fifteen minutes, apply a bandage. If the bleeding continues, call your vet for instructions.
What Are the Advantages of Using Pet Nail Grinders?
Many dog owners have found it easier to use a dog nail grinder over traditional nail trimmers. The following are some of the advantages of using these grinding tools on your dog’s nails.
- When done properly, using a dog nail grinder is virtually painless.
- Dog nail grinders are far less likely to cause the quick to be exposed.
- Your dog’s nail tips will be much smoother and less jagged than using traditional dog nail cutters.
How to Overcome Any Challenges When Grinding Your Dog’s Nails
While the process of grinding your dog’s nails is meant to be straightforward, you may run into some challenges. The following tips should help.
- If your dog becomes frightened over the sound of the grinder, take things slower. Try turning on the grinder and giving him a treat [2]. It takes time for some dogs to grow accustomed to the sound of a grinder, so don’t give up!
- Some dog nail grinders can become hot after a while. Try grinding one nail at a time and take a break before starting on the next nail so the grinder can cool down.
- If your grinder comes with different attachments, experiment until you find the one that works best for your dog’s nails.
Tips for Choosing a Dog Nail Grinder
If you’ve decided to use a dog nail grinder, finding the right one is essential for ease of use and safety. The following offers some tips that should assist you in choosing the right nail grinder for your dog’s nail trimming needs.
Check the Features
You must consider the features of any dog nail grinder before you buy. The grinder should have a safety feature where the head stops spinning if you use too much pressure or something gets caught in the grinder. It is also wise to choose a grinder with multiple heads for fine and medium grit.
Read Customer Reviews
It is important to read customer reviews before purchasing any dog nail grinder. If there are a lot of poor reviews, choose another model for better results. Dog owners are typically quick to tell others if a device poses safety issues or it does not work effectively.
Check the Pricing and Warranty
While price is important, it should not be the main deciding factor. It is important to choose the best grinder within your budget. You need to make sure the grinder manufacturer offers a solid warranty before purchasing.
FAQ About Dog Nail Grinders
If you are nervous about cutting your dog’s nails, relax. Nail grinders offer one of the simplest ways for you to cut a dog’s nails without the pain and anxiety.
The following are some of the top questions that get asked by pet owners. I hope the answers to these questions will help you feel more comfortable grinding your dog’s nails.
1. Is it better to cut or grind dog nails?
Many vets recommend dog owners use nail grinders instead of traditional nail trimmers. Because there are no sharp edges, you will be less likely to injure your dog. Nail grinders also only remove a small amount of nail tissue at a time so you won’t have to worry about hitting the quick, as long as you are careful.
2. Is a nail grinder safe for dogs?
Dog nail grinders are completely safe for dogs as long as they are only used as directed. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Take your time and only remove a small amount of nail tissue with each pass of the grinder.
3. What angle should I grind my dog’s nails?
The best angle for grinding your dog’s nails is a 45-degree angle. By grinding at 45 degrees, you can make sure your dog’s nails will be even and will not hang over your dog’s paw pads. A 45-degree angle gives a blunt edge to your dog’s nails.
Dog Nail Grinders Protect Your Dog’s Nails
If you’ve ever tried to trim your dog’s nails with traditional nail cutters, you know the level of anxiety they can cause for both you and your dog. Thankfully, there is a better option.
Although you still need to be careful, nail grinders are considered much safer and easier to use than traditional dog nail cutters. By following the information I have outlined above, you and your dog will have a pleasant experience as you cut his nails.
