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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Whether you’re a novice or a pro, trimming your dog’s nails can be a little anxiety-inducing for you and your pup. Dog nail grinders, sometimes known as dog dremels, are a great alternative to clippers. They create smoother edges, can reduce anxiety for dogs who dislike clippers, and provide all-around greater control, making it easier to avoid cutting into the quick (the part of the nail that carries the blood supply).
There are lots of options for different nail types and dog temperaments. If your dog has thick nails (or you have multiple dogs of different sizes), nail grinders that feature variable speeds are handy. For skittish dogs, look for grinders with quieter motors.
For pet parents, ergonomic design keeps the job comfortable, and grinders with lights can be helpful for general visibility but also for better seeing the nail quick. Want flexibility for when and where you trim (for example, outside to reduce dust)? Try a cordless version with a rechargeable battery.
If your dog’s nails are dark and you’re extra worried about hitting the quick, there are even a few dog nail grinders with quick sensors that help you avoid them. The quick will recede as nails get shorter, so frequent trimming can both help keep your dog’s nails healthy and keep the quick at bay.
We’ve identified the best dog nail grinders that hone in on all of the above.
- Best All-Around Dog Nail Grinder: Casfuy
- Best Low-Noise Dog Nail Grinders: Razoo Pro and Lucky Tail Nail Grinder
- Best Dog Nail Grinder With Quick Sensor: Dremel PawControl
- Best Dog Nail Grinder for Versatility: Bonve Pet
- Best Dog Nail Grinder for Battery Life: Toozey
Best All-Around Dog Nail Grinder: Casfuy
This popular dog nail grinder has lots of perks. Two LED lights flank the tip, allowing dog groomers to see the nail clearly and, on most nails, identify the quick. This newest model is even more powerful than the last version, which helps give pet parents a precise grind and reduces the time that the grinder has to be in contact with the nail.
Even with the added power, the vibrations and the noise are reduced, which may help with any dog anxiety. This one is also a good nail grinder for large dogs.
Key features:
- Two LED lights to help identify the quick
- High power, low vibration, low noise
- Two hours of battery life on a three-hour charge
- Three grinding ports for dog nails of all sizes
- Lightweight and ergonomic
Best Low-Noise Dog Nail Grinders: Razoo Pro
This dog nail grinder combines a powerful motor with a quiet grinding experience: under 50 decibels. It features two different rotation speeds to allow for some versatility for pet parents who want a precision and customizable grind. The battery is efficient, even with the high-speed motor. A 90-minute charge provides five hours of battery life.
Key features:
- Quiet grinding experience at under 50 decibels
- Powerful two-speed motor
- Five hours of battery life on a 90-minute charge
- USB charger
Lucky Tail Nail Grinder
Even with one of the most powerful motors available, this dog nail grinder is extremely quiet, ranging from 30 to 50 decibels. It also has very little vibration, which makes for a more comfortable experience for both dog groomers and dogs.
Key features:
- Ultra-quiet motor: 30–50 decibels, depending on speed
- Up to four hours of battery life per charge
- Low vibration
- Portable, lightweight, and easy to handle
Best Dog Nail Grinder With Quick Sensor: Dremel PawControl
Dremel dog nail grinders come with a bigger price tag but a lot of features. This one has a nail guide to help pet parents and groomers achieve the perfect angle for grinding without accidentally nicking the quick. The kit comes with nine accessories so pet parents can customize the grinder for their dog and the desired nail shape and length. The Dremel is also lightweight and easy to carry.
Key features:
- Long-lasting rechargeable battery
- Multiple accessories to customize nail length and shape
- Variable speeds
- Patented nose to make changing out accessories easy
- Nail guard for precision grinding
Best Dog Nail Grinder for Versatility: Bonve Pet
The Bonve dog dremel is versatile and comes with three ports for use with small, medium, and large breeds. It’s relatively quiet, coming in at less than 50 decibels. It boasts good battery life and has a light to indicate battery level. It’s lightweight with an ergonomic design for maximum comfort.
Key features:
- Quiet with a powerful motor (under 50 decibels)
- Eight hours of battery life from a four-hour charge
- Ergonomic design
- Two-speed adjustable motor
- Three grinding heads for versatility
Best Dog Nail Grinder for Battery Life: Toozey
The Toozey has one of the longest battery lives out there. Have multiple sets of nails to trim? No problem! These dog nail grinders boast a battery life of up to seven-and-a-half hours per charge (yes, this includes continuous use!). The long battery life sustains a powerful motor and two speeds to help achieve the perfect nail length. It’s lightweight and ergonomic for hand comfort, too.
Key features:
- Long-lasting battery: up to seven-and-a-half hours per charge
- Powerful adjustable-speed motor
- Four LED lights to provide maximum visibility and assist with precision
- Low noise and low vibration
- Ergonomic handle
- Multiple head sizes and settings to match dogs’ nails
Dog Nail Grinders vs. Clippers
Not sure that dog dremeling is for you? Clippers remain a good option for many pet parents. Clippers are generally cheap and they get the task done quickly. Plus, other than a few quick slicing noises, clippers are quiet, making them ideal for noise-averse canines.
The downside, though, is that clippers make it easier to cut the quick of your dog’s nails. Unlike dog nail grinders, which file nails down gradually, clippers require swift accuracy. Also, clipper blades will wear out over time and need replacing.
Dog nail grinders are a great alternative to clippers if you’re feeling iffy about using clippers safely. Grinders give your greater control, and they can help you achieve smoother edges than clippers. They’re a good option for thick nails and black nails that make it harder to see the quick.
Although accidental nicks are less likely to occur with a grinder, they’re still possible. To avoid hitting the quick, always pay close attention during your grooming sessions. Grinders can also be noisy, which may be upsetting to nervous dogs. And they can become hot to the touch, so be sure to monitor yours.
A final word about professional groomers: If you’ve had a bad experience with nail grinders or clippers in the past, or if you’re not confident in your ability, it’s a-okay to schedule your pup with a pro. Yes, dog groomers can be expensive. But in some cases, they’re the best option for keeping your furry pal’s paws neat and tidy. There’s no shame in turning the job over to an expert.
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We prioritized dog nail grinders that are versatile, have variable speeds, and make use of safety guides, lights, and other tools to reduce the risk of hitting a nail’s quick. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pups, who are never stingy with their feedback.