Dogs with overgrown nails run a high risk of injury, suffer from decreased balance, and damage your floors and furniture. The simple and painless solution to this is a dog nail grinder – it’s like an easy, at home manicure for your canine pals.
| Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|
Best Nail Grinder
| Dremel 7300-PGK
| |
Most Affordable
| Oster Gentle Paws
| |
Best Professional
| Oster Professional Corded Nail Grinder
|
Product Reviews
Features Of A Good Dog Nail Grinder
Charging Time
We’ve all had those busy times in our lives when we put off trimming our pooch’s nails until the very last minute – so, when you do finally get round to it, you don’t want a dead battery and slow charging time to delay you any further!
Whether you’re looking for a nail grinder for at-home use, or for your side hustle as a mobile dog groomer – you want something that will charge quickly.
Safety Guard
All dogs have what is known as a “quick” inside of their nail, this is akin to our own nail cuticle and contains blood vessels and nerves. Therefore, it’s important to take care while trimming your dog’s nails to ensure that you don’t trim too short and cut back to the quick, which can cause bleeding and even infection.
Not to worry, because most manufacturers of dog nail grinders include a handy nail guard, which ensures that you don’t run the risk of hurting your furry best friend.
Having said that, if your dog has overly long nails, the quick will be longer, too. To prevent this scenario, you’ll want to frequently trim your dog’s nails, as this will cause the quick to recede, over time.
Easy Cleaning
With all of your dog’s belongings, whether it’s his food bowl, crate, or grooming gadgets – it’s important to keep everything clean, so that he stays healthy.
Our stinky pups can attract all types of parasites and bacteria, so products that are quick and easy to clean can save your dog from potential illness – and you from those gargantuan vet bills!
Speed
Did you know that the power of your dog nail grinder all comes from the speed at which it spins? Depending on the size of your dog, the thickness of his nails, and how quickly you need to trim their nails — for example, if your dog doesn’t like to stay still for long — you might want to opt for a nail grinder with a higher speed.
Weight
This doesn’t tend to have any impact on your dog, but if you’re suffering from joint problems, such as arthritis, or have a squirmy little monkey to keep still – you might prefer to work with an electric nail grinder that’s lighter in weight.
And, if you’re a professional looking for a dog nail grinder that you’ll be holding for long periods of time during the day, you’ll want a lighter dog nail grinder so your hand and wrist don’t ache by the end of a long day.
Replacement Trim Discs
Is your house filled with rescue pups galore? If so, we commend you, you awesome dog lover! But, having a ton of dogs means that the sanding discs that come with your nail grinder will become dull and need replacing pretty often.
Not a big deal, but this is something to think about before buying your nail grinder, so you don’t wind up with a bunch of dull and used up discs and half of your dogs left to trim! Instead, a nail grinder that comes with replacement discs will mean that you get caught out when you’ve only trimmed two of your dog’s paws! We don’t want to leave him lopsided, after all!
Noise Level
Some dogs can sleep through a thunderstorm and others jump when the vacuum cleaner gets too close. If your dog falls into the latter category, you’ll want to keep an eye on the decibel level of the nail grinder that you’re looking to purchase.
Of course, it’s possible to train your dog to be calm around loud noises, but if they need their nails trimmed ASAP, you probably don’t have the time for a whole remedial training course just yet.
Multi-speed
If you happen to have a dog family that consists of members of varying sizes, you might be wondering how you can make a purchase decision that will work for both your Caucasian Ovcharka and Boston Terrier at the same time. Well, that’s where a multi-speed nail grinder can save the day!
For your smaller and softer-nailed dogs, set the grinder for a slower speed. For your giant dog that has nails, well, hard as nails, you can whack up that bad boy to the maximum.
Battery or Mains Powered
A nail grinder that you can just plug in and go can be really handy, unless you want to take it on summer vacation with you, or while you travel the national dog show circuit.
Actually, many dog owners prefer to trim their dog’s nails out in the backyard, to save them from cleaning up the mess that comes along with keeping your dog feeling footloose and fancy-free. This really comes down to personal preference and shouldn’t affect the performance of the device.
LED Light
Trimming a dog’s white nails can be a breeze, as you can see exactly where the quick starts. But trimming a dog’s black nails can be terrifying for some. How do you know where the quick even starts?
Don’t worry! Instead, just make sure to pick up a nail grinder that comes with the handy feature of a built-in LED light, which will help to guide you on your nail grinding adventure.
Portable
It’s not only the power mode of a nail grinder that will decide whether or not it’s portable, but also weight, whether it comes with a carry case, and multiple sanding discs.
Professional Use
For the professional dog groomer, you need a nail grinder that will stand the test of time, something with long battery life (if it’s battery operated), multiple speeds, and one that’s easy to carry with you wherever you go.
Product Reviews
#1 Dremel 7300-PGK:
Best Of The Year
- Safety Guard: Yes
- Speeds: Two speed – 6,500 and 13,000 RPM
- Power: Removable rechargeable batteries
- Replacement Trim Discs: Comes with 4 replaceable discs
PROS:
- Trim your dog’s nails without worrying about the mess.
- Keep your dog and yourself safe with the clear clip-on guard.
- Cordless design allows you to focus on the trimming and not the tangle.
- World’s first 45-degree guide makes sure you trim your dog’s nails the right way.
CONS:
- You might find yourself fiddling around with the replaceable sanding discs when replacing them.
- Long charge time might leave you with some half-finished pooch paws.
Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed can sometimes be a hard and time-consuming job. However, the Dremel 7300-PGK is a cordless, easy to clean, and safe nail trimmer, so you and your dog can enjoy home-friendly nail lengths without turning the job into a weekend DIY project.
The tool works just like any other battery operated rotary tool you may have laying around your home, with a quick and easy loading mandrel and replaceable sanding discs. And, both yourself and your pet will feel safe thanks to the guard, which also acts as a handy tool for collecting the debris during the trimming, allowing for quick and fast cleaning. No need to break out the vacuum cleaner!
Easy to clean, cordless, two trimming speeds, and with four replaceable sanding discs, all whilst protecting yourself and your dog – it’s easy to see why this is our best overall pick.
#2 Oster Gentle Paws:
Best Budget Option
- Safety Guard: Yes, Adjustable
- Speeds: Two speed
- Easy CleaningPower: 4 AA-alkaline batteries (not included)
- Replacement Trim Discs: Comes with 2 replaceable grinding bands and grinding stone
PROS:
- Adjustable guard allows nails to be held in place, while keeping hair away from the mechanism.
- Incredible price for a two-speed rotary tool that comes armed with two additional bands and a grinding stone.
- Collects debris in the guard as you trim, keeping your home tidy.
- Works on all cat and dogs breeds/sizes.
CONS:
- Batteries not included. It takes 4 AA Batteries.
- The two speeds are under wraps with no RPM details specified by the manufacturer.
The Oster Gentle Paws is designed to work with all breeds of cats and dogs. It comes with a handy collection of medium and fine bands for the rotary tool and, with its two speeds and adjustable safety guard, it really does give you everything you need, no matter your pet’s nail size.
The guard, like most of these products, also doubles as an easy to clean container for the nail debris and focuses on making sure the nail stays in place, without allowing any hair to make its way near the rotary tool.
The bands could not be easier to fit the grinding drum, as they simply slide on, allowing you a very straightforward, fast, and fiddle-free changeover – great for switching between the medium and fine bands, mid-trim.
#3 Furminator Nail Grinder:
Runner Up Budget Option
- Safety Guard: Yes
- Speeds: Two speed – 6,000 and 12,000 RPM
- Power: 4 AA-alkaline batteries
- Replacement Trim Discs: Comes with 2 replaceable grinding pads
PROS:
- LED light to help you trim to perfection.
- Quick and easy cleaning, thanks to the plastic guard – simply remove and rinse.
- Antimicrobial plastic construction helps keep germs and bacteria to a minimum.
- Never worry about re-charging time, just replace the AA batteries when needed and continue.
CONS:
- Slightly less powerful than other grinding tools.
- Guard is slightly restrictive, due to its small size. Some reviewers opt to remove entirely.
The Furminator Nail Grinder uses a grinding pad, rather than a sanding disc. With no sharp edges due to the shape of the grinder vs. a disc, this is certainly an added safety benefit and makes replacing the pad faster and easier than most disc-based alternatives.
Despite being a battery operated grinder, the tool still manages to have an impressive two-speed, high RPM feature and also includes the added benefit of an LED light to aid in your trimming, day or night.
The clear plastic guard has a hole directly above the LED light, helping you carefully and precisely trim your dog’s nails, while the guard also helps collect any debris to make for a very easy to clean product. You also have the added benefit of a handle made of antimicrobial plastic, that helps keep germs away.
#4 Oster Professional Corded Nail Grinder:
Best For Professional Groomers
- Safety Guard: No
- Speeds: Fully Adjustable
- Power: Corded
- Replacement Trim Discs: Includes two 60-grit bands, two 100-grit bands, grooming drum, grinding stone
PROS:
- Adjustable speed allows groomers to really perfect the nail trimming and adjust the speed perfectly to match the dog’s nail thickness.
- Great range of additional bands for the grooming drum.
- Never run out of battery mid-trim, thanks to constant electric power.
- Everything you need to trim any dog’s nails in a single box.
CONS:
- Corded, so watch out for those dogs like that like to get tangled.
- No guard to help collect the messy debris while you trim.
The Oster Professional works especially well for groomers, as it provides them with a variable-speed tool and multiple bands for different levels of grit, giving them the most versatile tool possible for any size or breed of dog.
The trimmer comes in a rugged box, allowing it to be stored safely and stand the test of time, all while keeping the tool and the accessories neatly organized. It even has a little room to spare, should you need to purchase additional bands or stones.
The tool has been designed to be as quiet as possible, keeping the pet calm throughout the trimming process and the low-torque allows the trimming process to be fast and painless. This is the ideal pick for those larger dogs that need a little more power!
What Is A Dog Nail Grinder
A dog nail grinder isn’t the nicest sounding name for a product and can make loving pet owners fear that this is a harsh or even painful device. In fact, it’s nothing more than a gentle nail trimmer for your four-legged friend.
It works exactly the same way as one of those electric nail trimmers you see at your local nail salon. For the guys out there, if you’ve never been forced to go for a mani-pedi, a dog nail grinder is a bit like a rotary multi-tool.
The way an electric dog nail grinder works is very straightforward. When turned on, the internal motor spins a metal arm, which holds a removable sanding disc. These disks gently, but quickly, file down the dog’s nail – just like when we humans use a nail file or emery board!
You may be wondering why you can’t just use a run-of-the-mill nail file on your poochy pal’s tootsies. Well, you can, but as their claws far stronger than our flimsy fingernails, filing them down the old-fashioned way will not only take hours of your time, but can cause stress to your dog, too.
There’s a misconception surrounding whether dogs should have their nails filed or not. Some people assume that since wolves can happily survive in the wild with no visits to the nail salon – domesticated dogs should be able to do the same.
But, that’s like saying you should be able to drop a human off in the wilderness with a fishing rod and knife and they’ll be fine! I mean sure, they might survive – but they’re not going to thrive or be terribly comfortable. A dog nail grinder can ensure your pup is always feeling comfortable and their mobility is never impeded by nails that are too long or too sharp.
Frequently Asked Questions
This question is completely understandable and just shows that you’re a lovely dog owner! But, you’ll be happy to hear that when using a nail grinder correctly on your dog, it shouldn’t cause any pain or discomfort. It really is just like when we human folk get a manicure. If you’re especially nervous, make sure to buy a product that comes with a nail guard, so that you can focus on the task at hand, rather than focusing on whether you’re going to cut the nail too short.
This is a common misconception, as many dog owners believe that since wolves don’t require nail trims, neither should their Chihuahua. While it’s true that wild dogs don’t have their nails trimmed, domesticated dogs, who live in a world of artificial ground and footing, don’t have the same natural wear and tear on their nails that their wild counterparts do, hence the necessity to trim.
Not at all. As long as you trim your dog’s nails to the right length — which will be easy if you’re using a device with a built-in nail guide — trimming will almost always increase their ability to grip. Having overly long fingernails can inhibit our ability to do many things – something that those with nail extensions will definitely understand – and dogs are just the same.
Grinding your dog’s nails at home is as easy as can be and most nail grinders come with a manual or instruction book to guide you through the process step by step, so you can get the same results that you would by sending your dog to the groomer.
Firstly, don’t feel bad – we’ve all made mistakes when learning something new and, while your dog might scream out in pain, it probably feels much like stubbing a toe or getting a papercut – the initial pain is the worst part and no permanent injury will occur.
Now that you don’t feel like a terrible dog owner – your next step should be to pick up the paw with the bleeding nail and gently dip the nail into styptic powder – this should stop the bleeding.
The quick does have a tendency to bleed a fair amount and if bleeding continues for more than 20 minutes, you should give your veterinarian a call and ask for their advice on what to do next.
I’m afraid that the answer is that it’s pretty much a guessing game. While lighter-colored dogs will often have lighter-coloring or a pinkish hue around the quick, darker dogs can have black quicks on black nails.
If this is the case with your canine companion, err on the side of caution, as it’s best to leave them a little longer than cause them pain from cutting the quick.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed can be quick and easy when using the right tools and following a clear set of instructions.
Many dog owners don’t prioritize trimming their dog’s nails, but every dog will benefit massively from having a personal doggie care schedule. Brushing your dog’s teeth, trimming their nails, deworming, and grooming are just a few areas that take little time, but they can help maintain or improve your dog’s overall health massively.
Most dogs can go for one or two months in between trims, so why not just pick up a nail grinder and add it to your calendar, right now?