How To Use A Dog Nail Grinder (It’s Simpler Than You Think!)

Quick Summary

• To use a dog nail grinder, apply a a gentle pressure starting from the bottom part of the nail moving to the top in a circular motion and following the nail’s curve to create a smooth tip.
• Make sure your dog’s hair does not get stuck in the nail grinder and always avoid the quick. Doing otherwise would be painful for your pup and may even cause bleeding.
• Don’t forget to praise your dog and giving him treats for behaving well.

Nail grinding. Do you want to learn more about it? If you’ve ever thought about cutting your dog’s nails at home, more than likely, you would want to know how to use a dog nail grinder properly. 

First, should you use a nail grinder? Is a nail grinder better than a nail trimmer? I personally like grinders over trimmers as they create a more smooth and well-shaped nail. They also grind gradually so it is easier for me to avoid the quick and cause accidents. Here’s everything you need to know about how to use use a nail grinder. 

How To Tell If Your Dog’s Nails Are Too Long? 

As a general rule of thumb, your pet’s nails should not be touching the ground. If your furry friend’s nails do touch the ground, it’s probably time for a trim. 

You can always visit a vet to determine whether or not your pet’s nails are too long. If you visit a vet, and he decides Fido’s long nails need to be fixed, he will likely suggest using a dog nail grinder to get your dog’s nails trimmed. 

What’s So Great About Nail Grinding? 

As a loving dog owner, you probably want to know the benefits of nail grinding. Check out why trimming your pet’s nails with the best dog nail grinder is much better than a traditional dog nail trimmer like guillotine clippers. 

• Once your dog gets used to the vibrations, nail grinding doesn’t cause it any pain. 
• As compared to trimming dog nails with clippers, nail grinding results in perfect, natural-looking tips, unlike the sharp tip or edges formed by a regular nail trim from a nail clipper. 
• With nail grinding, you’re unlikely to accidentally grind your dog’s nail quick. As a result, your dog probably isn’t going to bleed during the nail grinding process. 
• Unlike dog nail trimmers, you don’t need to have great aim with a nail grinder 
• Your pet’s nails will probably not crack with a nail grinder—even thick nails 
• Most dogs enjoy getting their nails clipped using grinders more than clippers and traditional nail file

How To Use An Electric Pet Nail Grinder The Right Way 

If you’re like many dog owners, you probably do not know how to use a nail grinder the right way. When a nail grinder isn’t used properly, it can cause a lot of harm to your dog. The following are the steps to properly using a nail grinder. 

Step 1: Make Sure Your Dog’s Hair Won’t Get Stuck In The Nail Grinder

The first thing that you need to do is ensure that your dog’s paw hair won’t be in the way of the trimming. You may need to how to trim dog paw hair before beginning the dog’s nail trimming. We do not want your furry friend’s paw hair to get caught in the nail grinder as this can be extremely painful—this is a common accident for dogs with long hair. 

Related article: How To Trim Dog Hair

Step 2: Sit In A Comfortable Position 

The next step is to get in a comfortable position where you can extend your furry friend’s paw. Many pet owners enjoy using a nail grinder with their furry friend in their lap. You can always experiment with different positions. Don’t be afraid to reposition during the nail grinding process. When you and your dog are sitting in a comfortable position, your dog is less likely to experience any pain from the nail grinding. 

Step 3: Start The Nail Grinding Process 

Now it’s time to begin the nail grinding process by using the nail grinder to gently smooth the end of your furry friend’s nail tip. Be sure to determine exactly how much you want to trim before starting this process. 

As you grind your pet’s nail tip, be careful not to remove its nail quickly. If the nail grinder reaches your dog’s nail quick, it will a lot of pain and bleeding. 

Pro Tip: For the best results, apply the nail grinder to your pet’s nail tips in a circular motion. By doing so, you’ll create the smoothest nail tips. 

Step 4: Repeat The Process On Every Nail Tip 

Once you properly smooth one nail tip, continue to grind all of your pet’s nail tips. Take your time. There’s no need to rush. 

During the process, be sure to gently rub your dog’s back and say some soothing words. Your soothing words and gentle massage will definitely make your dog less scared or uncomfortable. 

The more times you nail grind your pet’s nails, the better you’ll get too. 

Step 5: Praise Your Dog & Give It A Treat 

When you finish grinding your dog’s nails, you’ll want to give your dog lots of praise and a treat or toy. 

For many dogs, nail grinding is an extremely scary procedure. A lot of dogs do not like the sound of the grinder, and many of them do not know what you may be doing. 

By giving your dog a treat or toy after the process, you’ll be providing positive reinforcement. The next time you try to nail grind your pet’s nail tips, your dog may not be as scared. 

Just make sure that you give your dog a treat or toy that you know it will enjoy. If you want to experiment with a new treat or toy, you may want to wait for another time to do so.  

How To Make Nail Trimming An Extremely Pleasant Experience For Your Dog 

Here’s how to ensure that your dog is comfortable with nail grinding. 

• Introduce your furry friend to the nail grinder by turning the tool on and then giving it tasty treats or a fun toy. When you do this several times throughout the week, your dog will gradually associate the nail grinder with something really pleasurable. You may want to do this several times before nail grinding your dog’s nails for the first time. 
• Offer your dog several breaks during the nail grinding process. Your dog will probably really enjoy these breaks because it may not be able to tolerate the heat from the nail grinder for long periods. As you use the nail grinder more regularly, your dog will eventually become accustomed to the heat. 
• Most nail grinders are sold with several grit standing bands and stones. Try each one of them out to determine which one your dog enjoys the most. 
• Start clipping your dog’s nails at an early age [1]. By doing so, your dog will get used to nail grinding. When your dog is a senior, it will have no problem with nail grinding. 

When Should You Take Your Dog To A Vet? 

Most dog owners will have no problems at all using nail grinding to grind their dog’s nails at home. 

If you accidentally grind your dog’s quick or another problem occurs, you should visit a vet immediately. While it’s extremely unlikely, some dogs may experience discomfort or pain during the nail grinding process. The sooner you visit a vet, the less time your dog will be in pain.

If your dog starts bleeding at home, you can quickly stop dog nail bleeding with common household items like cornstarch or flour, but your best bet is using a styptic powder. You can also try applying a light bandage to the bleeding area for about twenty minutes. 

A vet will be able to examine your dog for underlying medical conditions and prescribe appropriate medication to reduce pain and/or bleeding. 

While you’re at the vet, be sure to ask him/her any pressing questions. Perhaps you want to get some tips on nail grinding. Maybe you want to learn some great ways to make your dog more comfortable during the process. 

If the vet does discover that your dog has an underlying medical condition, you’ll want to ask the vet for the best at-home treatments.

FAQ

1. Is it better to cut or grind dog nails?

Generally speaking, it’s much better to grind your dog’s nails. Most experts would agree that a nail grinder is the most efficient and quickest way to produce smooth dog nails. 

A nail grinder is also a safer alternative to a nail trimmer. When you use a nail grinder, you’re less likely to accidentally cut your dog’s nail quick. If the nail quick is accidentally cut, your dog could experience severe pain and bleeding. 

2. Are nail grinders good for dogs?

Much research suggests that nail grinders are much better for dogs than nail trimmers. If you’re unsure whether to use a nail grinder or nail trimmer to cut your dog’s nails, definitely choose the nail grinder. 

Be sure to talk with a vet to determine the best tool for your specific dog. 

3. What angle should I grind my dog’s nails?

Most experts recommend grinding your dog’s nails at a 45-degree angle. As you are grinding your dog’s nails, you should always remember to avoid grinding your dog’s quick. 

For the best results, talk with a vet to determine the best angle to grind your specific dog’s nails. Depending on the size and breed of your dog, he may suggest grinding your dog’s nails at a different angle. 

4. Do dog nail grinders hurt?

According to most vets, nail grinders are extremely safe for dogs. Although the nail grinding experience may be uncomfortable for dogs the first time, most dogs will get used to this process eventually. In order to make sure your dog is comfortable during the process, you’ll want to give your furry friend many treats, massage its back, and speak soothing words. 

The only time when nail grinding will hurt a dog is if you accidentally grind its nail quick. When this happens, you’ll want to contact a vet immediately because your furry friend may be experiencing a lot of pain and bleeding.