Does anyone use a Dremel for dog's nails? (paws, noise, medium)

[MAK802]

I bought the pet version for PC's nails, but it doesn't seem to work as well as when we take him to the groomer. They did all four paws in under 3 minutes with no problems. Which sanding band should I be using?

[ShelbyGirl1]

I do, I do! I have just a straight Dremal....I had bought the pet nail attachment and returned it...was worthless to me. I just have a sanding attachment...but it sure does take more than 3 minutes! Also, be sure NOT to hold the sander against his nail....it will get hot. Just hit the nail with a few seconds in between...

[zoran]

I tried one and didn't like the time it took and the way it heated up the nails. It didn't seem to have the power to do the job, I have 2 large dogs. I returned it and prefer using my nail clipper, much quicker for me.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by zoran

I tried one and didn't like the time it took and the way it heated up the nails. It didn't seem to have the power to do the job, I have 2 large dogs. I returned it and prefer using my nail clipper, much quicker for me.

The nails got hot because you were not doing this correctly. You only have to touch it to the nail for a few seconds at a time, go on to the next nail and come back to the first one.

I, too, LOVE the regular dremel (I use the rechargeable, NON-battery operated one) with the sanding disc with medium or fine sandpaper (NEVER use the ceramic sander!). It works beautifully and is almost silent.

I also recommend following the method on this site:How to dremel your dog's nails. It's easy to follow and it works!

[HighlandLady]

Excellent link,Viralmd.
I utilize the medium grain sandpaper attachment on the Dremel. I purchased a PediPaw - and with Labs, it was near laughable. I went through batteries and the sandpaper heads like mad and still had longer nails. I was a bit nervous with the Dremel initially, but the dogs were used to the noise of the PediPaw and the Dremel was not any louder. Also, with the Dremel, the file time is cut in half. I love it!

[tcrackly]

I had a battery operated Dremel for my Vizsla who is always a difficult pedicure. He hated the noise and always squirmed. The dremel barely took any surface off his nails. Now I use a rechargeable Peticure Elite and it seems to do a better job. It's still a wrestling match, but at least this device makes a noticeable improvement in just a little time.

[tcrackly]

Also the Peticure has a head housing that minimizes the chance of catching your dog's hair in the moving parts. You can purchase just the head cover to fit other rotary tool models as well. Check the fit with the manufacturer's website.

Peticure Safe Guard

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by tcrackly

Also the Peticure has a head housing that minimizes the chance of catching your dog's hair in the moving parts. You can purchase just the head cover to fit other rotary tool models as well. Check the fit with the manufacturer's website.

Peticure Safe Guard

This is the one I got. It was more trouble than it was worth and I sent it back.

If your Dremel did not do the trick on your dogs nails, there's a good chance you weren't using the correct attachment. I had to try 2-3 different degrees of sandpaper heads till I found one that worked well for my Goldens.

[ZSP]

I use a regular, battery operated Dremel for my Bostons and Frenchie. It's super quick, easy and less stressful for both me and my furkids. I highly recommend it.

[leorah]

I use a Proxxon rotary tool (similar to a Dremel but with infinite speed adjustment) with a #60 carbide sanding drum for my dogs' nails. The #60 cuts through the nails quickly without overheating like a finer grit would do. My dogs are fairly large, though. On a smaller dog with more fragile nails I would try a finer grit--maybe 100--to start.