How to Dremel overgrown dog nails

Last updated on January 11th, 2023 at 07:40 pm

How to trim severely overgrown dog nails

Make your dog comfortable

Some dogs are afraid of getting their nails trimmed; the first step is overcoming their fear. Do not assume but make a test as you bring the Dremel and see how your dog reacts. If the dog is afraid, allow them to sniff the Dremel and reward them with a treat. 

Repeat the sessions for a few days until your dog is happy to see the nail trimming tools come out. By doing so, you are building a positive association. Dremels can be noisy, so work on increasing your dog’s tolerance to the sound as you keep rewarding them every time you turn it on. 

Be patient, although some dogs learn quickly that the Dremel and clippers give treats. Dogs take time to adjust, especially if they have had bad experiences with nail trimming tools. They get more comfortable.

Get in a nail trimming position.

Trim your dog’s nails when they are relaxed and comfortable. If there is a need for a second person to hold, get one. You may need a pet or toys to distract the dog. If your dog is small, you can hold them in your lap. Make sure you have a good view of their nails to avoid injuries. 

When in a safe position, lift your dog’s paw. Hold it close to the body to prevent it from pulling away. Squeeze the paw, and lift one toe underneath to separate the nail you plan to trim.

Locate the quick

Before grinding an overgrown nail, look at the dog nail in the light to identify the quick. Light-colored nails have a darker, pinkish section within the dog nail. It is harder to tell where the quick begins if your dog has dark nails. 

Trim small bits of the nail at a time. After cutting, look at the tip of the nail. As you cut the nail deeper, you see a greyish-pink oval at the top of the cut surface. You may also see a small black dot in the center of the white portion. That tells you how close you are to the quick and stop cutting.

Trim the nail quickly, safely, and confidently

Hold a nail, locate the quick, and start trimming. Choose your Dremel and trim a bit of nail at a time. Cut at an angle across the tip of the nail, following its natural shape. Look for the black dot that tells you when to stop.

Trim nails in a quick and safe motion, and try to relax. Hesitating makes your dog pick up on your nervousness. At the same time, do not rush through because that makes the chances high for accidents. Take breaks when necessary, and do not forget to praise and treat your dog when complying.

Repeat process

Repeat the above process for every nail. If you are new to trimming your dog’s nails, do not expect to get them all at once. You have to wait in between dog nails.

How to find the quick on black dog nails

As you cut off small pieces of the nail, look at the cut edge of the nail. There is light tissue on the curved bottom part of the dog nail and mottled light and dark tissue, which is the top part of the nail.

As you cut the nail more profoundly, you see a homogenous grey to the pink oval on the top of the cut nail surface at the top of the cut surface of the nail. That is where the quick is. Stop cutting the nail since additional cutting will cut into the quick.

Extremely overgrown dog nails

1. Be careful as you take your dog’s leg in a comfortable position. Try not to twist the leg in a hurtful way.
2. Choose the best Dremel of your choice.
3. Place the nail clippers or Dremel on your dog’s nails at a 45-degree angle.
4. Cut your dog’s nails until you see the thin pink fiber, which is easier to see on dogs with lighter nails.
5. Take your time and be patient before you hurt the dog.
6. Avoid too much pressure
7. Start cutting
8. Repeat the process

How to trim dog nails that are overgrown and black

1. After gathering your tools and comfortably positioning the dog, start cutting slowly
2. Hold your dog’s paw firmly but gently
3. Position the Dremel to cut the nail from top to bottom. Do not cut side to side.
4. Trim a small length of the nail, about 1/16th of an inch
5. After you’ve made one trim, look at your dog’s nail head-on. If whitish, you are still in the dead area. It is safe to trim a bit more into the nail
6. Continue with small cuts, and look at the end of your dog’s nail after each one. As you get closer to the quick, the center of the nail becomes black and looks pink before the quick.
7. Trim a short bit of a nail and stop as the cut surface shows a black center. If you get to the pink, then stop

Dog nail grinder

A grinder offers a soft, smooth, and painless way to trim and groom your dog’s nails quickly and easily, reducing the risk of over-clipping. Grinders are also for dogs with dark nails, where the quick is difficult to see. However, not all dogs are comfortable with the noise and sensation of grinding, which is why you may prefer clippers. Nail grinders do not hurt your dog. Grind slowly and quietly while your pet is calm.

Correct dog nail length

Dog’s nails should extend enough, but they have gone too long when they pass the paw. If the dog’s nails extend over the bottom of the paw pad, your dog’s nails are too long. If your dog has long hair, you may not see the nails.

Overgrown nails in humans

The dog nails are thick and curvy, like horns or claws. The condition is known as Onychogryphosis, a nail disease that causes one side of the nail to grow faster than the other. Onychogryphosis affects the toes, especially the big toes.

Dog nail curled into a paw

A dog’s nails should sit at the level of his paw. It is time for a nail trim if they are curling over his paw or curling. This is for the dewclaw since it does not get worn down by regular walking.

Best Dremel for dog nails

The Dremel PawControl 7760-PGK is the best nail grinder for dogs because its quiet, cordless design makes it easy to maneuver around a puppy. It has four speeds, which brings a gentle but still effective touch.