Trimming your dog’s nails is a necessary part of dog ownership, but it’s not fun for anyone. The process can be stressful for dogs and humans alike, leading many owners to make frequent trips to the groomer to have someone else do it.
Fortunately, there’s a better way. Dog nail grinders act like a superpowered nail file that shortens and shapes your dog’s nails. While it may take a bit to get your dog used to the process, it’s an excellent solution for short, smooth nails and a lower risk of cutting the quick and creating drama for everyone.
Check out the 10 best dog nail grinders on the market, according to reviews from fellow dog owners.
The PATPET Steel Grit Dog & Cat Nail Grinder is the best overall dog nail grinder for its array of features that make trimming nails quick and comfortable. Recommended by veterinarians and groomers alike, the grinder features two RPM options for small/medium dogs and medium/large dogs, as well as three ports for nails of all sizes. It also has low noise and minimal vibration, so dogs will be more comfortable having their nails trimmed.
The grinder is portable and runs on a battery that holds its charge for two hours. It can be plugged into a phone adaptor, power bank, or laptop to charge and takes only three hours. The grinding wheel can be replaced as needed for efficient and smooth filing. According to some reviewers, the grinder isn’t powerful enough for some large breeds nor dogs with thick, strong nails.
Pros
Adjustable RPM
3 port sizes
Low noise and vibration
Cons
May not be suitable for large breeds or thick nails
2. Petlibro Portable Rechargeable Dog & Cat Nail Grinder Kit – Best Value
The Petlibro Portable Rechargeable Dog & Cat Nail Grinder Kit is the best dog nail grinder for the money. The grinder features a premium diamond bit for precise, efficient filing and a smooth and safe grooming experience. Suitable for all breeds and sizes, the grinder has two grinding speeds and three port options to accommodate different nail sizes and conditions.
To keep your pet safe, the grinder has a protective sleeve that prevents hair from getting caught in the mechanism. The grinder is low noise and low vibration, meaning it’s less likely to upset your dog. The kit includes a micro-USB cable for charging with any DC 5V/1A device, such as a laptop or power bank. Once charged, the grinder can be used for up to 10 hours. The grinder may not be powerful enough for strong or hard nails, however.
Pros
Multiple speeds and ports
Protective sleeve
Rechargeable
Cons
May not be able to file strong nails
3. Andis Cordless Dog & Cat Nail Grinder – Premium Choice
The Andis Cordless Dog & Cat Nail Grinder is the premium choice for a dog nail grinder. Featuring six speeds, the grinder can handle virtually any size dog or nail condition and quickly trims nails. With its ergonomic design, the grinder is comfortable to hold and use for precise and low-stress grinding.
The grinder runs on a lithium-ion battery that runs for three hours with a full charge. Along with the grinder, you’ll receive several heads with grinding wheels and polishing wheels, as well as a wrench for quick head changes. It also comes with a USB cord and charging port. Some reviewers noted that the grinding heads don’t last long and the device doesn’t hold its charge, however.
The Wahl Premium Pet Nail Filer is the ideal choice for puppies, cats, and small or medium dog breeds. The powerful grinder has a rotary motor with two forward and two reverse speeds to adjust for maximum comfort and efficiency for your dog. The grinder has its own light to make filing nails as precise as possible.
The kit includes the cordless nail filter, two AA batteries, a small sanding drum, six replacement sanding bands, a storage case, and an instruction booklet. The grinder is only suitable for smaller breeds and puppies, which have softer nails in general. It doesn’t have enough power to grind hard to large nails effectively.
The Wahl Ultimate Corded Pet Nail Grinder is a professional-grade nail grinder that features variable speeds up to 13,000 RPM. Despite its power, the grinder is quiet and lightweight to reduce stress for your dog during trimming. It also features an ergonomic design with finger grips to aid in your comfort and control.
Each kit comes with a grinder and power cord, a large sanding drum with three sanding wheels, a small sanding drum with three sanding wheels, a power cord and charge, a wrench, a storage case, and an instruction booklet. While this professional grinder is suitable for virtually all dog breeds and nail conditions, it’s a considerable investment for owners with skittish dogs that may never take to nail grinding.
The Penn-Plax LED Dog Nail Grinder is a professional-grade, wear-resistant grinder that’s designed for safety and efficiency. In addition to a strong grinding platform, the grinder features an LED light that gives you a clear view of the nail to avoid hitting the quick. The grinder has three ports and two speed settings to adjust to different breeds and nail conditions.
The motor runs quietly to avoid stress for you and your dog, and the grinder is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This grinder may not be powerful enough for large dogs with strong or hard nails, however.
Pros
Built-in LED light
3 ports and 2 speeds
Rechargeable battery
Cons
May not be suitable for large breeds
7. Shernbao PNG-008 Smart Cordless Dog Nail Grinder
The Shernbao PNG-008 Smart Cordless Nail Grinder is a professional-grade trimmer with a powerful motor for thick or long nails. The grinding wheel is wear-resistant carborundum to last longer and grind more efficiently. The grinder has two speed settings to adjust it to different dog breeds and nail conditions.
The grinder operates at less than 38 decibels, so it’s quiet and less stressful for anxious pets. The lithium-ion battery charges fully in 1.5 hours and holds its charge for three hours of continuous use. Some reviewers noted that the grinder is not powerful enough for their large dogs, while others ran into issues with the grinder malfunctioning within a few months.
From the same line of trusted grooming and deshedding products, the FURminator Nail Grinder for Dogs and Cats is a safe and easy-to-use option for nail grinding. The grinder features two speeds and an automatic LED light for precise grooming and control. The grinder is made of antimicrobial plastic for better hygiene. With its variable speed, the grinder is suitable for most breeds and sizes.
The grinder comes with two grinding bands and four AA alkaline batteries. The grinding bands will need to be replaced regularly and FURminator brand replacement bands are recommended. While most reviewers had good results, some ran into malfunctions with the grinder or found that it wasn’t powerful enough for their dog’s nails.
The ConairPRO Professional Dog Nail Grinder is an electric-powered grinder that offers smooth, consistent grinding for quick and efficient grooming. The motor is quiet to reduce anxiety in your dog, and the lightweight design makes it comfortable to hold and deliver precise filing.
The grinder has a long cord, so you can find the most comfortable spot for you and your dog. The protective adjustable cover reduces the spread of nail dust, which can bother you and your dog’s eyes. Each grinder comes with easily interchangeable sander or stone grinder attachments. Reviewers had several complaints, however, such as insufficient power for large dogs’ nails and difficulty changing out the grinding heads. The long cord can present a safety hazard for skittish dogs as well.
Pros
Electric
Quiet operation
Lightweight design
Cons
Not suitable for large dogs
Difficult to change heads
10. Pet Republique Cordless Dog & Cat Nail Grinder & Nail Clippers
The Pet Republique Cordless Dog & Cat Nail Grinder and Nail Clippers set is an excellent all-around kit for grooming dogs, cats, rabbits, and ferrets. The grinder has a quiet motor with low vibration to help your dog or other pet relax during the process, as well as three different grindstone openings to adjust for different pets. The grinder also has a hair guard that protects your pet’s hair from the mechanism.
The grinder runs on a battery that’s rechargeable using a USB cord. It charges quickly and holds its charge with plenty of time to groom your pet’s nails. The set comes with a grinder and nail clippers that are suitable for dogs and other pets. Plenty of reviewers noted that the grinder is only powerful enough for small animals and small dog breeds, however.
Pros
Low vibration
Quiet operation
Full nail grooming kit
Cons
Only suitable for small animals and small dogs
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Dog Nail Grinder
Benefits of Nail Grinding
Nail grinding can be intimidating and takes some legwork, but it’s well worth the effort. Here are some benefits of nail grinding over traditional trimming:
Shorter Nails
When dogs’ nails are overgrown, it can affect their gait and lead to tendon and joint problems. In addition, nails grow too long, they can splinter or break, causing pain for your dog and increasing the risk of infection.
Traditional clipping using nail clippers can shorten nails, but it’s more difficult to get them as short as possible. This is because the clipping action puts pressure on the nail, so dogs are more sensitive near the quick. Grinding takes small layers off at a time, so you can get closer to the quick without upsetting your dog. In addition, regular grinding can help the quick recede faster than clipping.
Lower Stress
If you’ve ever cut your dog’s quick accidentally, you know how upsetting it can be. Your dog is scared and in pain, and you’re stressed out over hurting your baby. Worse yet, cutting the quick once can be enough to make your dog forever fearful of nail trimming, making it more difficult to cut their nails properly in the future – not to mention how difficult it is to cut a skittish dog’s nails without cutting them.
The grinder may be stressful for your dog at first – and you, as you learn how to use it – but not forever. Once you and your dog are used to the process, it’s much more comfortable and safer to use a grinder to keep their nails trimmed. Since the grinder takes off small layers each time, you have more control over how close you are to the quick. Also, if you do happen to hit the end of the quick, it’s a small pinprick instead of a bloody and painful ordeal.
At first, grinding your dog’s nails may be time-consuming as you get them used to the sensation and the tool. You may need to do small sessions at a time to get your dog comfortable. Grinders also produce a lot of heat, so you need to limit the time they’re on a dog’s nails for their comfort.
Once you get your dog’s nails to the appropriate length, however, grinding helps to reduce the time in between trimming. You can get your dog’s nails much shorter in one session (without hitting the quick). As a result, you can take more time in between trimming. Depending on your dog’s activity level and age, you may be able to grind their nails every three or four weeks without them becoming overgrown.
Lower Maintenance
Nail clippers need to be sharp to work effectively. With strong, hard dog nails, clippers can dull pretty quickly. If you try to use dull clippers on your dog’s nails, you’ll increase the pressure they feel during trimming and make your job much more difficult.
While grinder heads need to be replaced over time, you get a lot more use out of one grinder head or wheel than clippers. If you keep up with your dog’s trims, you won’t need to grind much off of your dog’s nails each time, meaning that you can use a grinding head multiple times before it needs to be replaced.
Conclusion
Grinding your dog’s nails is an excellent way to reduce the stress of nail trimming for both you and your dog. Plenty of dog nail grinders are available with features to help with the process, such as battery power, adjustable speeds, and multiple grinding ports. The veterinarian-recommended PATPET Steel Grit Dog & Cat Nail Grinder is the best overall dog nail grinder for its array of features that make trimming nails quick and comfortable, while the Petlibro Portable Rechargeable Dog & Cat Nail Grinder Kit is the best choice for the money.
Featured Image Credit: ABO PHOTOGRAPHY, Shutterstock
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
