How to Dremel a Dog's Toenails

Cutting your dog's toenails is an important part of his or her health maintenance. Unless they are cut, the nails will keep growing---ultimately into your dog's foot pads. While nail clippers are effective, they usually leave sharp edges. Dremel tools not only cut the nails but file them as well.

Things You'll Need

  • Dremel tool
  • Kwik Stop
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

  1. How to Dremel a Dog's Toenails

    • 1

      Work with your animal to help him become comfortable with having his paws handled. It is best if you can do this when he's a puppy. Dogs are instinctively protective of their paws and generally do not like them to be touched. But if you start massaging and playing with your dog's feet when he is still a youngster, he will likely not have a problem with nail trims as an adult.

    • 2

      Know what to cut. Inside every dog's nail is the quick, a vessel that supplies the nerve and blood supply to the nail. It is usually pink and can be seen through white or clear nails. For dogs with black nails, trimming can be a bit more difficult. If you cut too much and hit the quick, not only will it be painful to the dog but it will also bleed. Be sure to have a silver nitrate product such as Kwik Stop on hand, which will help stop the bleeding.

    • 3

      Determine how your dog will react to the nail-trimming process as best you can. Some dogs will sit still while their owners Dremel their nails, while others will frantically try to pull away and may even attempt to bite. If your pet is the latter, you may want to enlist some help in holding her. If she is small enough, try placing her on a raised, slippery surface, such as a washing machine. If you cut her nails on the floor, she will feel in control and will be able to escape easier.

    • 4

      Turn the Dremel on and stroke the dog's body with it. This should help the dog become more comfortable with the noise and vibrations. You may want to practice this a few times before trying to trim the nails. Once you and your pet are ready, grind the nail below the quick on a 45-degree angle. If your pet has white or clear nails, you should be able to see the quick and know when to stop. If your animal has black nails, take a little off of the nail and look at the bottom. If you start to see a black dot, you are nearing the quick and should stop cutting. You may need to repeat the process a few times until you see the dot, depending on how long the nails are. The more you trim the nails, the more the quick will recede, and you will be able to cut them shorter over time.