If you are new to trimming dog nails or are simply looking for the best tool for the job, or if you happen to have a large or giant breed dog with black nails – making your journey of trimming dog nails particularly adventuresome – keep reading!
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This is the tool that I started with some 20+ years ago. Tried and true. The traditionaldog nail clipperis a tool that gets the job done.
Best Dog Nail Clippers Of 2021
With aguillotine clipper , a single blade comes down and slices off the end of your dog’s nail (like a guillotine).
While simple, I do not recommend this style for people with large or giant breed dogs as it is not quick or powerful enough to cut the thicker, stronger nails of our big dogs.
This style consists of two blades that come together to cut your dog’s nail (like a scissor). The amount of force you are able to generate with this style of nail clipper is better for the thicker nails of large and giant breed dogs.
Ways To Cut A Dog's Black Nails
There are some variations ofdog nail clippers with a sensor or led lightthat claims to help with identifying the quick before you hit it, however, I do not recommend these.
Not only am I not convinced that they even work, I know that identifying thedog nail quick is NOT the source of the problem even if these tools worked as they claim.
So if you found this post and are looking for thebest dog nail clippers with a sensor, I urge you to keep reading and consider an alternative.
Amazon.com: Boshel Dog Nail Clippers
Want to save this information for later? Grab your PDF cheat sheet of this post, The Ultimate Tool Guide for Trimming Dog Nails ,here.
Remember that black nails are just the color on the outside. The anatomy of the inside of the nail is identical. The only difference is that you can’t see the quick as easily.
I mentioned above, the dreaded “Clip and Pray Method” for trimming dog nails. This is the method used by the vast majority of dog owners who rely on a nail clipper. They pray with every clip that they haven’t hit the quick.
How To Trim Dog Nails That Are Overgrown (with A Dog Nail Grinder)
This is method is particularly common with dog owners of dog’s with black nails since they can’t visually see the quick in order to avoid it.
Consequently, dog owners become anxious about nail trimming due to a higher incidence of bleeding. This results in owners fearing the quick so much they fail to cut enough off the nail.
Invented in 1934, the Dremelis a high-speed rotary tool used for an endless number of projects from jewelry making to drilling holes to cutting dog nails. Most Dremels come with a wide range of highly engineered accessories, including several sandpaper bands of varying grits.
Dog Nail Clippers For Medium And Large Sized Dogs Nail Clipper For Dogs With Nail File Stainless Steel
It seems like every day there are new versions of pet Dremels. With features that promise to warn you of the approaching quick, grind faster, and with less noise, these pet Dremels sound great.
In the spirit of full transparency, I have never purchased one of these pet Dremels. I would love to try the PawControl by Dremel to test out the claims, however, here are my general thoughts as it relates to pet Dremels.
Most of them are not that much less expensive than the basic Dremel Micro. Most of the pet Dremels I’ve seen are between $20 – $50, with the Dremel Micro 8050 today on Amazon sitting at $68.
This Girl Had Black Nails That Were Super Easy To Clip! Took A Picture To Help Any Confused Dog Owners Or New Groomers.
The jury is still out for me on how well the pet Dremels like theDremel 7020 ,Dremel 7760 PawControl , PawPerfect , Peteast Dog Nail Grinder , orFURminator Nail Grinder will hold up to the demands of large and giant breed dogs getting frequent trims.
However, according to big dog owners that have taken Dog Nailpro™ and who are in the Big Dog Mom Community , pet Dremels do not offer enough power for very large dog nails.
Do your due diligence as you shop for a pet Dremel. Many of these new tools make claims, especially about the quick, that may not work as expected.
Dog Nail Grinder Vs Clipper: Which Is Better For Trimming Dog Nails?
In my many decades of using a Dremel for dog nails, I have found one thing to be true. As long as your focus is on proper conditioning so that your dog learns to love nail trims, whether your dog has black nails or light-colored nails is inconsequential.
Avoiding the quick using a Dremel for dog nails is less complicated than it sounds, even if your large dog has black nails.
While not as popular or commonly used, a comprehensive overview of tools for trimming dog nails would not be complete without information ondog nail filesand scratchboards. Here is a brief overview of these alternative options.
Babyliss Pro Pet Led Dog Nail Clipper, Large
Ametal file is just what it sounds like. Most are about 4-6 inches long and would be used like a human Emory board or nail file. The only difference is that one is metal, the other is usually sandpaper.
If you are looking for a good laugh, do a quick search on Amazon for “file for dog nails.” I cannot imagine using any of these products on my huge Mastiffs!
One of the members of theBig Dog Mom Community Facebook Groupshared some videos of her dog using a scratchboard for trimming his nails.
Pet Nails Scissors Grooming
This product is essentially a board with sandpaper covering it. Dog Training Nation shares herehow to DIY your own scratchboard if you are interested in learning more.
In addition to the tool you select, you will want to make sure you have a couple of other items on hand before you begin trimming your dog’s nails.
We referred to dog nails bleeding a few times in the course of this guide, but I did not go into detail about it. Assuming you know how and why a dog nail bleeds (if you would like details on this, read this post all about the quick ), for the purposes of this discussion, we are simply addressing the tools you need to stop the bleeding.
Tops Tips For How To Cut Dog Nails At Home
While I rarely use it, as I mention in the video , I do keep a container of Kwik Stop or my DIY Styptic Powder on hand just in case I accidentally hit the quick.
Dogs understand food and treats. We don’t have to teach them what food means. So the best way to condition your dog to LOVE nail trims is with food!
Now… do NOT start slathering peanut butter all over your forehead. That serves only two purposes – to coerce your dog into tolerating a nail trim and make a giant mess all over you and your floor. This does not teach your dog anything.
The 7 Best Dog Nail Clippers Of 2023
Treats are used for a specific purpose, in a specific way, so I have a few criteria that I use for treats that I use in nail trimming. They are:
Here are a few treat options that fit all of these criteria, or you can go to my Amazon store which has a curated list of many more healthy treats for dogs .
At the end of the day, the decision on whether to use a dog nail clipper or Dremel or one of the alternatives is a matter of personal preference. With the pros and cons listed for each, it will be up to you to decide which tool is best for you and your dog and which one you are most comfortable starting this training with.
Dog Nail Grinders
Keep in mind, this is not a permanent decision. Once your dog is conditioned with one tool, you can transition to a different tool in the future with the same training.
Information means nothing if you don’t take action on it. Here are three quick and easy steps you can take today to get started on your dog nail trimming journey:
Stephanie Seger is the owner and writer of the award-winning blog and purpose-driven brand Big Dog Mom™ and founder of the Dog Nailpro™ Method. She has decades of experience as a big dog owner, over 30 years of which has been devoted to health, nutrition, and behavior of large and giant breed dogs. With a BS in Microbiology, an MBA, and a passion for writing and big, slobbery dogs, Stephanie is committed to serving large and giant breed dogs by empowering, educating, and inspiring the people who love them. She shares her life with her husband, two children, and the inspiration for Big Dog Mom™, her two Mastiffs, Junior and Sulley.Recommendations are independently chosen by 's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
How To Safely Trim Your Dog's Black Nails
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The guillotine style clippers cut quickly and cleanly, making what could otherwise be a stressful, drawn-out job into a two-minute snap. Read More
This scissor set was especially comfortable to use and contains that all-important safety stop to prevent cutting into the
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