How Often Should A Dog's Nails Be Clipped

Hearing that clickity click audio on your kitchen flooring? It may be a sign that your domestic dog is in drastic need of a nail clipping!

Owners who want to trim their canis familiaris'due south nail at habitation may struggle in deciding exactlyhow they desire to trim their domestic dog's nails. Should they choose a dog nail grinder or opt for a classic clipping? What is best in the dog nail grinder vs clipper fence?

Nosotros'll cover several different types of dog nail trimming tools owners can utilise, and go through the advantages and disadvantages of each tool to assistance you make up one's mind which is best for your pup!

Clippers & Grinders: Types of Tools

Dog boom trimming tools come in several varieties and provide a few different approaches.

Guillotine Smash Clippers

Guillotine style clippers have owners place the domestic dog's boom through a hole and squeeze the handle, assuasive for a unmarried blade to slice down across the hole and cut off the excess nail.

This style of clipper is recommended for small to medium dogs, as the guillotine style isn't usually strong enough to cut large, thick nails. The blades likewise need to be replace regularly to proceed them abrupt.

For guillotine nail clippers, we recommend the Resco Pet Nail Clippers.

Scissor Clippers

Scissor canis familiaris nail clippers (besides known every bit Miller's Forge clippers) work in a similar style to – you guessed it – scissors. The blades have small, round indentations, where you'll position your dog'due south nail for cutting.

This style allows for a large amount of force, making them practiced for dogs with larger nails. All the same, the handles may not be ideal for those with arthritis.

For scissor boom clippers, we propose going with the Safari Dog Blast Trimmers.

Grinders

Grinders use a small, rotating department of material (similar to sand newspaper) to grind down your dog's nails.

Likewise referred to as "dremels", these grooming tools are electricity-powered and clothing down a dog's nails through the utilise of friction.

For domestic dog nail grinders, we recommend going with the Pet Grinding Dremel 7300.

Domestic dog Smash Clippers: Pros & Cons

Pros:

Quick & Serenity. Nail clippers are quiet compared to the buzz of boom grinders, which can sometimes frighten dogs. Clipping your canis familiaris's nails takes besides takes but a second, so the process can be over in the blink of an eye.
Cheap. Canis familiaris smash clippers are usually very affordable and it doesn't toll much to own a pair. However, don't get too cheap – it's worth it to spend a chip more to go a higher terminate clipper from a reputable brand. Cheaper clippers won't become the job done, won't be precipitous, and are more likely to injure your pet.
No Electricity. Nail clippers are manual tools and don't require batteries or electricity to piece of work.

Cons:

Easy to Cut Quick. If yous're non careful, it's very like shooting fish in a barrel to cutting into the quick of your dog'southward nail, causing discomfort and bleeding. Once you cut into your dog's boom quick, they won't be too keen on letting you cut their nails once more!
Can Cause Pinching. The other major disadvantage to dog blast clippers is that they can squeeze and compression your dog'south quick, which may crusade pain and discomfort for your dog, fifty-fifty if you don't cut into the quick.
Nail Breakage. While uncommon, nail clippers can, in rare cases, crusade your dog's nails to split up or crack. Always make certain your clippers are precipitous to prevent this adventure (more of an effect with guillotine-style clippers).

Dog Nail Grinders: Pros & Cons

Pros:

Skilful For Dogs With Clipper Anxiety. If y'all've tried dog boom clippers in the past and freaked out your pooch, grinders provide a 2nd take a chance – yous may have better luck getting your domestic dog to go on with a grinder.
Rounded, Smooth Nails. One of the biggest advantages of grinders is that you lot tin smooth your dog's nails and circular them. This is much preferred over the sharp edges left by boom clippers. Rounded nails ensure your canis familiaris doesn't get snagged on carpets and is peculiarly handy for dogs that have a tendency to scratch or jump up on owners (smooth nails don't do well-nigh as much damage to furniture or to your skin).
Corking For Thick Nails. Canis familiaris boom grinders are specially handy for dogs with large, thick nails that tin be difficult to clip.

Cons:

You Tin However Hitting the Quick. Even with grinders, owners may accidentally striking their dog'south nail quick. It'south easier to avert with grinders, since you tin can proceed an eye on the nail every bit you lot grind and watch for the small dot that signals you are nearing the quick and should stop.
Loud (And Sometimes Scary). Canis familiaris boom grinders can exist fairly loud and tin can scare your pooch, especially if they're not found of loud noises.
Aroma & Dust. Grinding a dog's nails results in dust and odor. For this reason, it's best to grind your domestic dog's nails outside. Y'all may also want to wear a oral fissure mask cover and eye protection.

Dog Nail Grinder vs Clipper: Which Is All-time For Yous?

Ultimately, when it comes to the domestic dog boom grinding vs trimming debate, the all-time choice will depend on your dog's personality, as well as your canis familiaris training confidence.

If your dog is very skittish and fearful of loud noises, you may want to avert a grinder and opt for clippers instead. If yous practise decide to utilise a clipper, we suggest going very slowly and but cutting a tiny bit of nail a week.

When you lot clip a modest portion of blast, the quick will brainstorm to retract away from the nail edge, which when and then allow yous to clip more the post-obit week. However, if you lot prune a large amount all at once, you lot risk cutting into your dog'due south quick. Trust me – they won't like that i bit!

We also recommend reading our post on how frequently to cut a dog's nails for more tips and boom clipping advice.

In some cases, yous may desire to consider both – even if you decide to apply a dog nail clipper to trim your pooch's nails, a grinder can be used to smoothen out nails.

Practise you prefer canis familiaris blast grinders or clippers? Why do you use one nail trimming tool over the other? Share your thoughts in the comments!