How to Grind Your Dog’s Nails Safely

Dogs are wonderful companions and live to be part of our daily life. We all know dog’s need to be feed, exercised and let outside to eliminate. One part of dog ownership that takes a bit of practice is grooming your dog.

All dogs rely on their human companions to keep them feeling and looking their best! When it comes to grooming your dog, people often feel uncertain about how to properly care for and how to grind your dog’s nails .

Once you understand the importance of keeping your dog nails short, the dog’s nail anatomy, the necessary equipment needed, you’ll be confident in this basic grooming skill.

How to Grind Your Dog's Nails Poodle about to be groomed

Importance of Keeping a Dog’s Nails Short

Before we learn how to grind your dog’s nails , we’ll learn about why it’s so important to their overall well-being.First, understand that your dog’s nails are an extension of their foot and leg.

When the nails are too long it sets off the whole body. Dogs will have the feeling of walking uphill and it will decrease their balance. Long nails will affect their gait and how they move about.

Long toenails lead to long term degenerative changes and pain. And even a young dog will experience pain in their knees, hips, and joints. You might see the dog begin to arch their back to compensate or even limiting their mobility. Understanding the dog’s nail anatomy will help us with learning how to grind your dog’s nails .

How to Grind Your Dog’s Nails by Understanding Dog Nail Anatomy

The Quick. If you’ve talked to other dog owners about how to grind your dog’s nails , they might have mentioned the fear of nicking the quick. The quick is the center of the nail. Inside the quick are blood vessels and nerves that supply blood to the nail.

The quick is sensitive, therefore when the quick is nicked your dog will bleed a lot and be in pain. No one wants to inflict pain or damage to their dog.

Dog’s nails will be either white or black. The quick is seen easier in white nails. It can be seen by looking at the side and underside of the dog’s nail. When learning how to grind your dog’s nails , you’ll want to stop before the nail turns pink in color (for white nails).

Black nails can be more difficult however, when you see a black dot in the middle of the cut end of the nail, stop trimming. By looking at the underside of the dog’s nail, you can see the soft black tissue (the pulp), which is what you want to avoid trimming.

How to Grind Your Dog's Nails view of the quick of black nails

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What does it mean if my dog’s quick is long?

Once you begin trimming your dog’s nail, the quick will slowly recede. The quick grows with the dog’s nail and shrinks as the nails get shorter. It is recommended that in order to get your dog’s quick to recede, be prepared to grind them at least once a week for about 2 months.

One major reason people choose to learn how to grind your dog’s nails is the chances are less for nicking the quick.

This picture is of a Doberman Pinscher puppy’s paws whose owner obviously has started grinding his nails at a young age and often enough for them to recede.

If you do nick the quick, stay calm, pour styptic powder into a small dish. Dip your dog’s nail (or paw) into the powder. Hold the paw so that dog is unable to walk around on it. You’ll use a small amount of powder as only the bleeding nail needs the powder on it.

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Styptic powder is a clotting agent that can slow the bleeding by contracting the blood vessels. It is also an antiseptic which reduces the risk of infection.

Allow 15 seconds for the styptic powder to work and if necessary, repeat the process until bleeding has completely stopped

You will learn that using a grinder can be an effective way to safely groom your dog’s nails.

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The Dewclaw. The dewclaws are the nail that grows on the inside of the dog’s front feet. However, a few breeds are born with dewclaws on all four feet.

How to Grind Your Dog's Nails Dew claw illustration

The dewclaw is often referred to as the dog’s “thumb”. It is considered an appendage and has tendons connecting it to the dog’s leg. Dogs can use their dewclaws to hold items while chewing.

Even though the dewclaw doesn’t touch the ground while the dog stands, it does offer stability and structural support while they run.

Keep the dewclaw nails short! Long dewclaws can cause uneven breakage to the nail. Another common injury to the dewclaw is the nail becoming torn and eventually leading to an infection.

In order to keep the dewclaw how to grind your dog’s nails. The dewclaws will need to be routinely trimmed along with the other nails.

How to Grind Your Dog’s Nails with Special Filing Equipment

How to Grind Your Dog's Nails Pomeranian about to have nails filed

Now that we know the necessity of keeping our dog’s nails short, we can choose what kind of equipment we want to get the job done.

If you choose to clip your dog’s nails before you learn how to grind your dog’s nails, you will need either the guillotine style clippers or scissors clippers. In addition to clippers, you will need a nail grinder and styptic powder in case of an emergency.

Before the electric nail grinder become a regular piece of dog grooming equipment, dog owners used manual files on their dog’s nails.

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Stainless steel manual files are an economic and effective way to file a dog’s nail. They require a bit more time but make very little noise. However, your dog will still need to get used to the filing sensation.

Electric grinders come in a variety of models, from corded grinders to battery-operated grinders. There are many to choose from that vary in price, sound, weight, vibrations and effectiveness.

Electric nail grinders are a bit more expensive, but they are a handy alternative to the manual file. It’s amazing how technology has advanced in the area of dog nail grinders.

Before purchasing a nail grinder, you will need to decide your price range and what features would make your job easier.

Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder Upgraded Professional

Dremel 7300-PT Cordless Pet Dog Grinding Tool

The grinders listed below are ranked high by dog owners:

Dremel makes several models ranging in speed, power, and special features like a dust collection cap, and 45-degree angle guide.
Herkzko pet nail grinder is known for its versatility to file different sized dog nails.
UrPower makes a nail grinder that is easy to hold and is known for being extra quiet.

Nail grinders save on time; however, expect to have an adjustment period for your dog to get used to the vibration sensation.

Grinders can be used to finish the nail trimming session by removing any rough edges. This is especially effective for dogs with thick nails.

How to Grind Your Dog's Nails Small brown dog with paw up and tongue out

Why Use a Nail Grinder

Dog owners choose nail grinders for several reasons; however, they also want to make sure to learn how to grind your dog’s nails effectively.

It’s easier to keep dog’s nails short for those people with unsteady hands. Keep in mind your dog will need to remain still during the grooming.

If you have adopted a dog that has had a negative experience with nail clippers, they might be fearful of them.

Some dogs just don’t like the pinching sensation from clippers on their nails. Although the grinder has a vibration, it doesn’t pinch the dog.

Nail grinders take off all the rough edges which means less scratches on wood flooring and snags on carpeted floors.

Once you have made the decision to make nail filing part of your grooming routine, you’ll want to prepare your dog.

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Preparing Your Dog Before Learning How to Grind Your Dog’s Nails

Introduce your dog to the grinder, by letting them see and smell it. Praise and treat.
Quickly turn the grinder on and off without touching their paws. Praise and treat your dog. Do this daily until they are comfortable with the noise.

Gently touch your dog’s nail to the grinder. Stop at one nail. Be sure to offer praise and treat them right away.
Continue with touching their nails to the grinder. Move slowly and confidently. Praise and give valuable treats.
Be patient and encouraging. Every dog responds differently to the vibration sensation.

When first learning how to grind your dog’s nails, make an effort to act normal, your dog will sense any hesitancy or uncertainty you have about the new grooming tool.

Dogs need to know that grooming is going to be part of their routine. It’s not something to dread. Offer lots of praise and small treats that they value.

Choose a location that works best for you and your dog. You’ll want a comfortable and familiar location in your home when you prepare your dog for grooming their nails. Often their dog bed or a special rug works well.

5 Steps on How to Grind Your Dog’s Nails

Step 1: Gently but firmly hold your dog’s paw. Be sure to touch the nail to the grinder, not the other way around. Grind only a small part of the dog’s nail at a time.

How to Grind Your Dog's Nails Gently but firmly hold your dog’s paw. Be sure to touch the nail to the grinder, not the other way around. Grind only a small part of the dog’s nail at a time.

Step 2: Continue to support the dog’s toe and grind for approximately 1-2 seconds.

Step 3: Begin grinding across the bottom of the nail and then carefully move in from the top of the nail. Always remember to not apply pressure on the nail when using a grinder.

How to Grind Your Dog's Nails holding paw against grinder

Step 4: For better control of the grinder, hold the grinder up higher, towards the top.

Begin grinding across the bottom of the nail and then carefully move in from the top of the nail. Always remember to not apply pressure on the nail when using a grinder.

How to Grind Your Dog's Nails For better control of the grinder, hold the grinder up higher, towards the top.

Step 5: Establish routine grooming. Be consist with grinding your dog’s nails.

Commonly asked Questions about How to Grind Your Dog’s Nails

Can I use the grinder on my dog that has long hair on their feet?

Yes. You’ll need to take extra care that the long hair doesn’t get caught in the grinding tool. Either trim it back or push the hair aside with your free hand.

My dog doesn’t like the clippers but tolerates the grinder. Can I just file their nails to keep them short?

Yes. Invest in a quality grinder with adjustability in speed. You’ll also need a course grit sandpaper and a finer grit sandpaper. Or in the case of the Casfuy, it is a diamond drum and you only need one.

Keep in mind depending on how fast your dog’s nails grow, you might need to file their nails more frequently.

Can I still nick the quick when using a grinder?

Yes. You will stop grinding when you see the pink in a white nail or a black dot in the black nails. Use styptic powder to stop the bleeding if this occurs.

How to Grind Your Dog’s Nails with Confidence

Routine grooming is an important area of taking care of your dog. Keeping your dog’s nails short is crucial for healthy knees, joints, and hips.

Once you feel comfortable with how to grind your dog’s nails , you now have another method of keeping your dog’s nails filed and kept at an appropriate length.

Tips for First Time Dog Owners

Two important areas in the dog’s foot anatomy, are the quick and dewclaws. Now that you learned how to grind your dog’s nails, you can keep the quick from growing too long within the nail. Clipping or filing your dog’s dewclaw will make sure it doesn’t cause problems for your dog.

You’ll make important decisions on the equipment needed to keep your dog’s nails feeling their best! Choose your grinder style based on what is most effective for you and your dog. And lastly, remember to have styptic powder handy in your canine first aid kit.

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Follow the steps to preparing your dog to be comfortable with routine nail grinding. You want a dog that is not fearful of the sound and feel of the grinder. Follow the tips on how to grind your dog’s nails , and you will gain confidence with nail filing.

“When learning to grind a dog’s nails, always remember that the grinder gets hot. Touching the nail to the grinder for no more than 1-2 seconds is very important.”

–Diane Gaw, professional groomer for over 30 years.

Dogs like routine, so establish a comfortable location for grooming the nails. For small dogs it could be in your lap or bigger dogs might enjoy the familiarity of their dog bed.

Now that you learned how to grind your dog’s nails it will take the stress out of this necessary dog grooming skill.

When it comes to grooming dogs, you have to be extra careful when trimming their nails. Many dogs are sensitive and dislike noise or any other unusual things like vibration.

Dog nail grinders offer the best alternative when it comes to grooming. They are quick, effective, and even work with long and thick nails. The above-reviewed tools are among the best dog nail grinders on the market. They are designed with the latest technological features to enhance efficiency, safety, and durability.

When it comes to grooming dogs, you have to be extra careful when trimming their nails. Many dogs are sensitive and dislike noise or any other unusual things like vibration.

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How to Grind Your Dog’s Nails Safely