Best trimmer for big, thick dog nails?

[CrowneDragon]

My dog grows nails like no tomorrow. I have guillotine cutters for them, but sometimes those are tough to get around his nails because they curl down, and since his nails are so big and tough, every once in a while they only cut part-way and end up twisting his nail. Not good!

I have a PediPaws type dremel thing that someone gave me and I’ll be here until the end of eternity doing one nail with the amount of material this thing removes. I don’t know if I can get a more aggressive burr for it.

What do you guys recommend for big tough dog nails? A proper Dremel? Heavy scissor type trimmers?

TIA!

[wsmoak]

A real Dremel, with a sanding cylinder.

I dug mine out of the grooming bag and it is: Dremel MultiPro Model 395, variable from 5,000 to 35,000 RPM.

[scruffy_the_cat]

Real Dremel. Cheapest is the corded type or you can get a powerful cordless for about $100. It will make short work of those nails.

[CrowneDragon]

OK, off to look up Dremels…
I’m spoiled that my other dog trims her own

[S1969]

I like guillotine cutters; I cut at an angle, and then go around the nail to “round off” all the angles. I very rarely just cut off the excess nail; not only does it leave a squared off nail (which is sharp, and unsightly) but I never like to put the whole nail through the hole of the guillotine in case the dog pulls back. If you keep up with trimming, you shouldn’t have to deal with long, thick, tough nails…but of course we’re all human. I try to keep my old guy’s nails short enough that I only have to deal with thick + tough.

I also use a Dremel; I can use just the Dremel, but I prefer to use the guillotine clippers and then the Dremel to do the finish work for all my dogs…but everyone has their own preference.

Very rarely do dogs truly trim back their nails evenly, so even if they do a good job on some nails, they don’t on others - e.g. I trimmed a friend’s dog’s gnarly dew claws today, as well as a Peke that had one long nail on every foot.

So, I would definitely recommend practicing with all your dogs, even if all you do is smooth them and make them pretty because there usually are some nails that don’t wear properly - even if your dog is generally good at wearing them down.

[CrowneDragon]

[QUOTE=S1969;7457052]
I like guillotine cutters; I cut at an angle, and then go around the nail to “round off” all the angles. I very rarely just cut off the excess nail; not only does it leave a squared off nail (which is sharp, and unsightly) but I never like to put the whole nail through the hole of the guillotine in case the dog pulls back. If you keep up with trimming, you shouldn’t have to deal with long, thick, tough nails…but of course we’re all human. I try to keep my old guy’s nails short enough that I only have to deal with thick + tough.

I also use a Dremel; I can use just the Dremel, but I prefer to use the guillotine clippers and then the Dremel to do the finish work for all my dogs…but everyone has their own preference.

Very rarely do dogs truly trim back their nails evenly, so even if they do a good job on some nails, they don’t on others - e.g. I trimmed a friend’s dog’s gnarly dew claws today, as well as a Peke that had one long nail on every foot.

So, I would definitely recommend practicing with all your dogs, even if all you do is smooth them and make them pretty because there usually are some nails that don’t wear properly - even if your dog is generally good at wearing them down.[/QUOTE]

The problem is that his two side nails grow at the same thickness from base to tip with no taper, and they curve straight down. Even when they are as short as they can be, it’s almost impossible to get the cutters around them because the nail is against the pad.

His sister has a self-pedicure session every day. I take a clippers to a stray nail about once a year. She does a pretty good job on her own.

[DoubleClick]

Get a nice, big dremel. I have a corded and cordless and find that the corded is a bit more powerful than the cordless. I much prefer it. I use it for 15lb dogs up through my big, male Dobe. Works like a charm!

[ElisLove]

For nail clippers I use these (I’m a dog groomer and use these on every dog of every size).
http://www.petco.com/product/6040/Millers-Forge-Pet-Nail-Trimmers-and-Clippers.aspx
Those pedicrap dremels are useless. You can get decent ‘pet’ ones, but a mini dremel from the hardware store will likely be cheaper and probably last longer.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=CrowneDragon;7457065]
The problem is that his two side nails grow at the same thickness from base to tip with no taper, and they curve straight down. Even when they are as short as they can be, it’s almost impossible to get the cutters around them because the nail is against the pad.

His sister has a self-pedicure session every day. I take a clippers to a stray nail about once a year. She does a pretty good job on her own. :D[/QUOTE]

Sounds like a dremel is a good choice then.

Not sure what you mean by a self-pedicure session…? Unless dogs are doing a lot of work on a hard surface (asphalt) they probably don’t bring their nails back to where they should be. I’m sure there are exceptions; not sure I’ve ever seen one though. Most people keep their dogs’ nails too long.

[scruffy_the_cat]

“Most people keep their dogs’ nails too long.”

And boy does it hurt when “friendly” Fido jumps on me. I do wish there was a rule that said everyone has to have short nails. I have been deeply scratched so often.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=scruffy the cat;7457293]
“Most people keep their dogs’ nails too long.”

And boy does it hurt when “friendly” Fido jumps on me. I do wish there was a rule that said everyone has to have short nails. I have been deeply scratched so often. [/QUOTE]

And long nails on a dog make them more prone to injury - broken nails, slipping on hardwood floors because their feet don’t hit the floor properly, twisted toes, and long term damage to their feet.

http://susangarrettdogagility.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/before-after-nails.jpg

See the difference in the foot position? (And, in my opinion, that before picture isn’t too bad - I’ve seen way worse…I trimmed my friend’s elderly dog yesterday - she had at least an inch of excess nail. :eek: )

[CrowneDragon]

[QUOTE=S1969;7457236]

Not sure what you mean by a self-pedicure session…? Unless dogs are doing a lot of work on a hard surface (asphalt) they probably don’t bring their nails back to where they should be. I’m sure there are exceptions; not sure I’ve ever seen one though. Most people keep their dogs’ nails too long.[/QUOTE]

She chews on them :lol:
They are little nubs. She has done it since she was a wee one. It’s a win-win, since she is fidgety about having her feet handled. Maybe she just doesn’t trust me around her toes with sharp objects. “I’ll just do it myself!”

[scruffy_the_cat]

Totally agree S1969. Add to that much less risk for tearing a dewclaw if it’s short.

[Bicoastal]

@Dean Winstead

dog nail should be cut with clippers and without clippers also. But if you don’t have clipper at home you can cut dogs nail with some space living for skin development, which makes dogs free from pain.

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[Incantation]

Dremel Micro. It is cordless and has a light, which I find useful. The dog nail trimming FB group I am on recommends the Micro and the 8050. I find the 8050 too big and clunky. It take a little bit longer with the micro, but I am very happy with it.

[sisu27]

Proper Dremel once a week (or more depending on what you’ve got). I hate long nails on dogs.

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

@ElisLove

For nail clippers I use these (I’m a dog groomer and use these on every dog of every size).
http://www.petco.com/product/6040/Mi…-Clippers.aspx
Those pedicrap dremels are useless. You can get decent ‘pet’ ones, but a mini dremel from the hardware store will likely be cheaper and probably last longer.

I’VE been using these clippers or some just like them for decades. Orange handles and all. They are great. I’ve never used a dremel.

OP do you know that if you give your dog a bath, you can easily trim his nails right after the bath when they are soft.

[rockonxox]

OP hasn’t been here for over 2 years

To jump on the bandwagon of answering ghost posts though… I use basic clippers from a pet store and then a dremmel to smooth and shorten even more. One of my dogs is easy peasy to trim and the other has nails that never seem to quit growing and are thick. Doing a clip then a dremmel (or if I’m lazy I just use an emery board to smooth the nail edges) works just fine.