Best Dog Nail Grinders + How to Grind Dog Nails

Grooming

WRITTEN BY:

Meg Marrs

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Does your dog go ballistic when you whip out those nail clippers?

You can’t really blame your pup — a few bad experiences getting your nail cut to the quick (your dog’s nail cuticle) and bleeding would probably make you squirmy too!

The good news is that there is an alternative to dog nail clippers – specifically, nail grinders! Today we’ll be detailing the best dog nail grinders, as well as reviewing how to dremel dog nails safely.

Best Dog Nail Grinder Quick Picks

  • TOP PICK: Dremel Nail Grinder | Well-known Dremel brand product with several speed settings| Available from Amazon
  • RUNNER UP: Petural Nail Grinder | 2-speed grinder with built-in safety ports | Available from Amazon (See our hands on review below!)
  • BEST BUDGET CHOICE: UrPower Pet Nail Grinder | Single-speed, budget-friendly grinder for small pets | Available from Amazon

What is a Dog Nail Grinder?

Dog nail grinders are grooming tools that serve as an alternative nail-cutting solution for dogs that aren’t big fans of clippers.

Nail grinders are also known as “dremels,” referring to the name brand of Dremel, a popular and well-known grinding tool.

Rather than cutting the nail, a canine nail grinder will grind away at the nail with a high-speed, rounded grinder that uses a material similar to sandpaper.

Pros and Cons of Using a Dog Nail Grinder

There are a number of advantages and disadvantages of using a nail grinder as opposed to a nail cutter. We’ll cover some of the big ones here!

Advantages of Nail Grinders:

  • Good For Unsteady Hands. If you feel your hands are not steady enough to clip your dog’s nails, you may find a nail grinder easier to use. You’ll still need to hold your dog still, but you likely won’t need the same level of precision to aim the grinder as you would require with clippers.
  • Helpful For Fearful Dogs. If your dog has had a few bad experiences with nail clippers, he may quite terrified of round 2 with the clippers (unfortunately it’s fairly easy to cut your dog’s quick and cause him to bleed – especially if he has dark nails). Grinders are easier to use and let owners easily avoid cutting into the quick.
dog nail grinding
  • You’ll Get Smooth Edges. A grinder allows you to smooth the edges of your dog’s nails, which looks nicer and can also prevent them from snagging their nail on carpeting or other materials. Having smoother nails is also handy if your dog’s a jumper (ouch, my legs), or a scratcher.
  • Reduces Cracking & Pinching. Clippers pinch down on your dog’s cuticle while cutting, which can end up hurting your dog even if you do not hit the cuticle. The pressure from clippers can, in some cases (although not too common), can even cause your dog’s nails to crack!

Disadvantages of Nail Grinders:

  • Your Dog May Still Be Afraid. Unfortunately, your dog may get fearful the minute you grab his paws, so the grinder may not do much to alleviate immediate anxiety. The sound of the grinder may also make your dog nervous, so even with grinders, it’s hard to say how well your dog will take to the nail grinding process. Be sure to work up to the grinding by providing plenty of treats and praise as you show your dog the grinder and handle his paws.
  • You Can Still Hit the Quick. Keep a careful watch on where your dog’s quick is as you grind (you should be able to start to see a small dot in the middle, even for dogs with dark nails). Even with grinders, you can still hit your dog’s quick (although it’s much easier to do accidentally with nail clippers).
  • Humming Noise. The humming noise of the grinder can startle and frighten dogs, although the noise level varies between devices and speeds.
  • Odor & Dust. An undesirable odor can arise from grinding a dog’s nails. This can usually be remedied by grinding your dog’s nails outside. You may want to wear eye gear or a mouth cover.

How to Grind Your Dog’s Nails: Step By Step Process

Before you get grinding, get the low down on how to grind your dog’s nails efficiently and effectively.

Get Your Dog Accustomed To The Grinder

Introduce your dog to the grinder in small increments (and with plenty of treats and praise at every step).

First, show your dog the grinder and give a reward (like some stinky, yummy treats). Place rewards near the grinder (when it’s off) to get the dog sniffing and close to the grinder.

Next, hold the grinder in your hand and quickly turn it on and off, followed by rewards. You’re getting your dog used to the sound of the grinder, which can be a bit scary for them at first.

Next, turn grinder on for a longer period and reward. Finally, turn the grinder on and tap your dog’s nail (just for a moment) and praise.

This whole process won’t be done in one day – in fact, it may take a few weeks to get your dog acclimated. Go slowly and take your time. The payoff will be worth it when you can grind down your dog’s nails without stress!

Dog Nail Grinding Tips & Tricks

  • Only Grind A Small Amount At A Time. Even with a nail grinder, you’ll only want to grind a small part of your dog’s nail in one sitting. Support the dog’s toe, but don’t squeeze too hard. Grind across the bottom and then carefully in from the tip of the nail, smoothing rough edges as you go. If you do this weekly, the quick will recede and you’ll be able to maintain short nails on your dog with ease.
  • Hold Close to The Top. Hold the grinder higher up, towards the top, for better control.
  • Keep Your Dog Comfy. Make sure your dog is in a comfortable position as you grind the nails. Also, consider how you’ll hold your dog’s foot. It’s recommended to hold your dog’s paw in a way that allows you to easily separate the toes from one another and push the nail you are grinding further out. Some dogs prefer to sit with their paws out, while others prefer to have their paw bend backwards. See what works for you and your dog!
  • Grinders Get Hot! Remember, grinders get hot, so only hold the grinder against the nail for a second or two at a time. Press and release in small increments until your dog’s nail is shortened.
  • Watch Out For Hair & Fur. If your dog has long hair, make sure to hold it back and keep it away from the grinding tool so it doesn’t get caught! Vet Street offers a great tip – using an old pair of pantyhose, put it over your dog’s paw and push the nail through. This makes the nail available to trim, while holding back any paw fur!

Need a visual demonstration? Check out this video on how to grind your dog’s nails.

Best Dog Nail Grinder Reviews: Safe, Easy, & Stress-Free

These highly rated dog nail grinders will help you trim your dog’s nails without issue. Dog nail grinders come in a few different styles and designs, which are detailed here.

Consider whether or not you’d like features such as multiple grinding speeds (handy for dogs with thick nails), and LED lighting (can help for those with poor eyesight). Also think about whether you’d prefer a grinder with a rechargeable battery or one that runs on classic AAs.

While all these grinders come recommended, make sure to consider which features matter the most to you and your dog.

1. Dremel Pet Grooming Nail Grinder Kit

About: The Dremel Pet Grooming Kit is a popular nail grinding device made from the well-known Dremel brand, with multiple speeds and a rechargeable battery.

Best Overall Pet Nail Grinder

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Dremel PawControl Dog Nail Grinder

A powerful grinder that’ll make quick work of your dog’s nails, this tool comes with helpful features like a dust-collection cap and a 45-degree paw guard.

Features:

  • Features a 45-degree paw guard and dust-collection cup
  • Three-speed operation (high, low, and off)
  • Requires four AA batteries (not included)
  • Includes 2-year warranty
  • Can be used in conjunction with a variety of Dremel brand sanding drums and bands

PROS

Most owners found that this grinder worked very well, and was especially effective for trimming the nails of large dogs. The paw guard and dust-collecting cap are both nice features, and many owners liked that the grinder can be used with a variety of Dremel-brand accessories.

CONS

It’s slightly annoying that this grinder requires AA batteries (rather than using a rechargeable battery), but that’s not a huge problem. Additionally, a few owners complained that the instruction manual had incorrect information.

2. Petural Nail Grinder

About: The Petural Nail Grinder is a cordless, two-speed nail-grinding tool that features a diamond bit and works for up to 6 hours between charges.

Best Overall Nail Grinder Runner Up

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Petural Nail Grinder

This quiet nail grinder features a diamond bit and works at two different operating speeds.

Features:

  • Two grinding speeds
  • Comes with 900mAh Ni-CD battery and a USB charging cable
  • Features two different nail ports to protect your dog’s paws, or you can remove the protective cap completely for use with large dogs
  • Low-noise (< 50 dB), low-vibration, 9,000 RPM brass motor won’t startle your pet
  • Comes with a carrying case

PROS

The Petural Nail Grinder has most of the features owners want in a grinder. The Petural’s diamond bit and 9,000 RPM motor make grinding quick and easy, and the included ports will help protect your pup’s paws during use. Also, because it is so quiet, it is a great choice for owners with nervous dogs.

CONS

A few owners complained that the motor didn’t seem powerful enough to grind their dog’s nails, but this doesn’t seem to be an issue for most people who tried this grinder.

K9 of Mine Staff Review

We performed a hands-on test of this grinder and found that it worked quite well.

The motor and diamond bit made easy work of an adult Rottweiler’s nails, and yet the tool was surprisingly quiet during use – it’s easily one of quietest grinders around.

Petural Nail Grinder Review

We can’t verify that the battery lasts for 6 hours as the manufacturer claims, but it certainly holds a charge long enough to grind the nails of multiple dogs at a time.

The ports were too small for us to test, but they appear like they’d work very well for small or medium-sized dogs. The grinder was very easy to hold in the hand, the switch was easy to operate during use (such as when you need to change speeds), and the included carrying case makes it easy to keep everything together.

Petural Review Grinding Ports

Petural Charging Cable

All in all, we loved the grinder and couldn’t find many faults with it. It doesn’t come with an LED light, like some others, so you’ll want to be sure to use it in a well-lit area. It’s also a bit more expensive than some other models, but we think it provided great value.

Highly recommended.

3. UrPower Pet Nail Grinder

About: The UrPower Pet Nail Grinder is a slim, ergonomically-friendly diamond-bit nail grinder that is notably quieter than most other grinders.

Most Affordable Pet Nail Grinder

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UrPower Pet Nail Grinder

Easy to hold and quiet, this grinder is easy to use and shouldn’t startle your dog.

Features:

  • Includes guard cap to prevent slipping & sliding
  • Extra-quiet, low-vibrate grinder that’s great for skittish dogs
  • Can be charged via USB cord, and lasts 3 hrs on a single charge
  • Three grinding holes for grinding the nails of different sized pets.
  • Comes with 180 day warranty

PROS

Owners note that this grinder is extremely quiet (although it does get louder when you actually begin grinding the nail).

CONS

This grinder only has one setting, as opposed to the multiple speeds other grinders offer. The grinding is a fairly slow speed, but most owners don’t seem to have issue with this. At least one owner has issues trying to get the company to fulfill their warranty promise.

4. Hertzko Electric Pet Nail Grinder

About: The Hertzko Electric Pet Nail Grinder is a versatile claw trimmer that’s colorful, affordable, and functional.

Best Compact, Lightweight Choice

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Hertzko Pet Nail Grinder

This rechargeable dog nail grinder features three safety ports and is designed to operate quietly to avoid scaring your pooch.

Features:

  • Diamond bit grinder
  • Three different sized ports for grinding various-sized pet nails
  • Designed with low noise and low vibration for frightened pups
  • Rechargeable device that includes USB wire

PROS

Owners love how compact, light-weight, and quiet this grinder is. The guide is also removable for those who prefer grinding without the guard in place (it can make clean-up a bit easier).

CONS

One user felt that this grinder really wasn’t powerful enough to take off any significant nail length is a reasonable amount of time, finding it more suitable for simply rounding the nails’ edges. However, most others found that it worked fine enough for at-home use.

5. Oster Gentle Paws Nail Grinder

About: The Oster Gentle Paws Grinder is a classic two-speed pet nail grinder with several band attachments you can use depending on your pet’s claws.

Honorable Mention

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Oscar Gentle Paws Nail Grinder

A two-speed nail grinder that comes with multiple grinding bits and an adjustable safety guard.

Features:

  • 2-speed grinder for speed adjustments
  • Adjustable safety guard to help prevent grinding to your dog’s quick
  • Designed to be whisper-quiet to alleviate pet anxiety
  • Comes with coarse stone, fine band, and two coarse bands for various nail grinding options

PROS

Owners note that the level 1 grinding option is extremely quiet, helping reduce the stress of pets. It grinds nails quickly and efficiently.

CONS

One owner noted that the nail holes that aren’t used end up letting nail shavings escape and fall out, which is a bit gross — we recommend grinding outside for this reason!

***

Have you used a dog nail grinder? What tool do you recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Written by

Meg Marrs

Meg Marrs is the Founder and Director of Marketing at K9 of Mine. She is a lifelong canine enthusiast and adores dogs of all shapes and sizes! She loves iced coffee, hammocks, and puppy-cuddling!

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  1. Dean Winstead Avatar
    Dean Winstead

    Having a pet dog gives a lot of happiness but when it comes to groom a furry ball gives a lot of tension. Especially when it comes to clipping the nails. My dog’s nail grows faster than its hair. It is not possible to ask a groomer to clip its nails every week. So I started looking for the easiest way to clip the nails and the best product for trimming the nails. Found the Nail grinder from Hertzko the best for my canine. Thank you for recommending an amazing product.

    1. Ben Team Avatar

      Nail trimming/grinding can certainly be a bit of an ordeal, Dean.
      We’re glad the article helped, and you found something that works for your pooch!

  2. Julia Avatar
    Julia

    The Dremel is no longer available. Hasn’t been available for at least a month or so – even the new version isn’t available anywhere online. Can you suggest ones that are available?

    1. Ben Team Avatar

      Ugh! I *just* swapped out that link, as the one previously mentioned went out of stock!

      Sorry about that, Julia. Here’s a relatively similar Dremel Nail Grinder for Pets.

      Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
      🙂 Happy grinding!

  3. Javed Avatar

    Aloha and Mahalo for very informative.

  4. Kim Wiedenbeck Avatar
    Kim Wiedenbeck

    I eish I had seen this post before buying the herrzko grinder, it would probably be great for a small dog but I jave a 90lb lab mix with thick large, black nails. I need the strongest grinder available, he doesnt mind his nails being done at all but I am afraid to clip them because they are so large I have quicked him in the past and they have cracked, been pinched etc… any advice on which is the most heavy duty?

  5. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    I found a new product that I like even better than all the others! Wish the price would come down a bit though! Please review this one! Diamondg Rotary Nail Grinder

  6. Donna Shaffer Avatar

    what is the price of nail grinder

  7. joseph Avatar
    joseph

    Thank you for the thoughts on nail trimming and best article about dog nail clippers

  8. Barbara Rivers Avatar

    Thanks for including the video! I did buy a grinder but have yet to try it out!