Is that loud constant clicking on the floor driving you crazy? Well your dog is probably not happy about it either.
When a dog’s nails are too long, it can hinder their ability to walk and run properly by curling under and becoming painful.
Dogs have different rates of nail growth which may be influenced by their daily activities. Different surfaces may also influence the rate of growth.
If your dog is use to softer surfaces, like being indoors, grass and dirt paths, they do not have a lot of friction compared to other surfaces like cement, concrete and asphalt. The harder the surface the more likely your dog’s nails will wear down.
Long nails can break or snag which is very painful for dogs of all ages. If you notice that your dog is limping or licking his feet constantly, this might indicate that he is in pain.
If this is not addressed directly and consistently, a long-term result may be stress on the dog’s joints which could lead to joint damage and arthritis from the excessive strain on their paws and legs.
So, what to do? Do you trim you dog’s nails by cutting or grinding? There has been a lot of discussion regarding what works best – with pros and cons to both, but it will probably come down to personal preference, comfortability and your dog’s temperament. Let’s look at the options.
Trimming by Cutting
If you choose to trim your dog’s nails by cutting there are two types of nail clippers that you can use: Scissors or Guillotine.
The Scissors works just as the name suggest, they are also similar to a pair of pliers and are sometimes referred to as Miller’s Forge Trimmers. The plus to this type of clipper is that it is able to provide the extra force needed for bigger, thicker nails of large breed dogs.
The Guillotine clipper has a hole where the tip of your dog’s nail goes through and then a blade is lowered cutting off the tip of the nail, just like a guillotine. This type of pet clipper is best for small to medium dogs because their nails can fit through the hole of the clipper; and it is good for clipping dew claws.
Pros And Cons To Cutting Nails
Pros
Cons
Trimming by Nail Grinding
If you choose to grind your dog’s nails, these are the following tools that you can use: Pedipaws, Dremel and Oster.
- Pedipaws is a brand of pet nail grinders, well-known due to its infomercials. It grinds down the nail by spinning an abrasive surface against the nail.
- Dremel is a brand that besides making standard tools, also makes pet nail grinders. They also sell a pet nail guard attachment for extra safety.
- Oster is another version of a rotary grinding tool for trimming your dog’s overgrown nails. This company has been known for its pet grooming clippers which is very sturdy and reliable.
Pros and cons of Trimming By Nail Grinding
Pros
Cons
Tips And Reminders


Looking for the best tools to trim your dog's nails? Check out our post: Best Do Nail Grinders and Clippers for Golden Retrievers