File or Clip?

[Madisyn Myers]

Hey everyone! I was curious, what do y'all find easier for you to do with your dog's nails? My girl's nails are to the point where the clipper just leaves them jagged and rough (maybe I need a more heavy-duty clipper?) ....... so my father bought a doggie nail-file to try.

Any thoughts on which you prefer? Any stories (wonderful OR horror? giggle) .....

[geckogirl3]

You can also use a dremmel set on a low speed to smooth the edges. This works better than a nail file in my opinion. Going for a walk on concrete will also help smooth them after a clipping.

[monomer1]

Yeah, I second the idea of using a Dremel tool with either a grinding wheel or a sanding band attached. We've used it for many years. Its not possible to ever "cut to the quick" because as you approach it, the dog is sure to let you know. Once your dog gets used to the noise of the grinder and the sensation of it against their nails, both you and the dog will prefer it. You can safely trim the nails shorter than with clippers and smooth the edges faster than with a file.

One word of cautions is necessary... beware of getting your dog's fur into the wheel! It will wind itself up pretty fast, and that can be painful to both you and your dog. I can't stress this point enough.

[taxingmybrain]

the dremel with the mini sanding belt is the key -- however i find the fastest setting works best. And yes be very careful about hair wrapping around the dremel shaft. before you do the nails, take the clipper to the hair between the pads and cut flush. if the feathers are long on their legs, consider sliding a kids tube sock with the toe cut out on the leg to cover the fur a bit.

good luck.

[ChicagoCanine]

I only used the dremel once, but I loved the results...
My problem is I'm scared of using it! I am afraid to hurt her or that I'll wrap her fur around it accidentally... When I used it I put pantyhose over her foot which someone suggested to keep the hair from getting wrapped around the dremel, but that didn't work-- the hose just kept wrapping around instead :P Ginger didn't mind the process at all, she just lay there like she always does when I am doing some type of grooming. I wish I could find a groomer that would dremel her nails for me!

[goodtim'n]

How do you maintain your dogs nails?--Do they get cut with hand held nail cutters? --or-- Do you have them, grinded, with a dremel tool? :dogbark

[csmyangel]

I dremel my dog's nails. It is SO much easier than clipping them. It's also much more safer.

[goodtim'n]

I do both in my groom shop!! Dremel seems to take more of the sharp edge off. But then I file all nails also. I hate sharp edges.

[theGoldenPup]

I have scissor type nail clipper that I use almost every other day (...just a bit off of a few nails...). I haven't figured out HOW to use the file, Blaze didn't seem to like it, but maybe I was going at it all wrong. I've taught him to scratch at some rough rock, and that gets them smooth quite well.

Arg, I found out we do have a thing similar to a dremmel, and I was sitting down, ready to use it...and the head didn't fit. Grr...after we get the right size I'll be using that though!

GoldenPup

[Abby Aniela]

I use a clipper on Abby's nails, you know, the one that looks like a pair of pliers ..... then, I use a dremel tool to smooth out all the sharp edges. I always wait til she's been asleep for an hour or so at night, then start doing her nails. I hate waking her up to do it, but it is sooooooo much easier this way .... she doesn't fight me and it takes half the time. She just sits and watches as if she's saying "are you done yet?" :laugh2