Pros and Cons with a Dog Nail Grinder

Pros with a Dog Nail Grinder

A dog nail grinder will work well on any size of dog, but it’s especially useful for dogs whose nails are too big and sturdy to be effectively trimmed with clippers or a guillotine trimmer.
An electric dog nail grinder is equally a great solution if you are afraid of cutting into the quick. The grinding process is slower, more gradual, and allows you to stop before any damage is caused.
It is also a better option for dogs that are sensitive to the pressure applied on the nail when using clippers or dog nail scissors. The pressure can cause discomfort or pain that is felt in the quick even if you are not actually cutting into it.
In addition, the dog nail grinder is the only tool, other than a dog nail file, that you should consider using if your dog’s nails are brittle and split easily, or if your dog’s nails are already broken or otherwise damaged.
The grinder will leave a perfectly smooth finish on your dogs nails.
Some grinders come with a safety guard to help hold the nail in place. The safety guard is also especially useful for long-haired dogs as it will help keep their coat from accidentally getting caught in the grinder.

Grinding, however, will not work on dew claws that have grown into a rounded shape as you will not be able to get in at a good angle with a grinder. At least not until you managed to trim them back into a half-circle shape with pliers style clippers.
Grinding your dog’s nails will also take longer than cutting them, especially with large nails. Avoid lengthy sessions by frequent trimming and selecting a grinder with suitable torque and rotations per minute. The size and quality of your dogs nails will determine the trimming time, but count between 6 – 20 minutes for all the nails.
The nail dust produced by a dog nail grinder will make more of a mess than clippers do, so don’t wear your best clothes! However, if you opt for a grinder with a safety guard, the safety guard will collect most of the dust.
With a battery powered dog nail grinder you need to make sure the battery is charged or that you have spare batteries. If you run out of battery power, you will have to wait until the battery is charged, or until you have bought new batteries, before you can continue trimming your dog’s nails.
With a dog nail grinder you will need to take the time to let your dog get used to it. Many dogs will initially be wary of the sound and the vibrations. However, manufacturers usually give very good advice on how to desensitize your dog to the grinder.