Why a dremel finish after the clippers matters

Most dog owners know their dog's nails need trimming. Fewer think about what the nail looks like after the clippers are done. A clipper cuts the nail, but it can leave a flat, hard edge that's sharp or slightly ragged. That edge is what catches on carpet, scratches your forearm when your dog jumps up, and leaves marks on a wood floor. A dremel finish is what takes it away.

What the clippers do, and what they leave

Clippers shorten the nail quickly. They're the right tool for taking off length, and plenty of owners use them at home without trouble. The trouble is the cut itself. Squeezing through a hard nail can leave a blunt edge with a sharp corner, and sometimes a slight split along the end.

A short nail with a sharp corner still scratches. You might not notice it on a calm dog on a quiet afternoon. You will notice it when a wet, excited dog climbs onto your lap, or when a puppy rakes your arm during play.

What a dremel adds

A dremel is a small rotary tool with a sanding or grinding head. Used lightly after the clippers, it rounds off the cut edge so the tip of the nail is smooth instead of sharp. It can also take down a bit more length in tiny steps, which gives more control than a single snip.

A Google reviewer, Ilene NeVille, described exactly this at K9 Mountain Resorts. She called to ask about nail trimming and wrote that they do drop in nail trimming, which she found convenient. About the work itself, she said:

"They did a great job with the clippers and then smoothed the edges with the dremel which made a huge difference in decreasing the sharp edges."

That's a customer describing the result in her own words: clippers for the length, dremel for the edges, and a noticeable difference in how sharp the nails were afterward. It's a good model for what to look for from anyone who trims your dog's nails.

Why smooth nails matter every day

• Floors and furniture. Rounded tips don't dig into hardwood or snag on upholstery the way sharp ones do.
• People. A dog who jumps up with smooth nails leaves fewer scratches on arms and legs.
• Other dogs. Rough play is less likely to leave marks when the nail tips are rounded.
• Comfort. Long or sharp nails can catch and tear, and a torn nail hurts.

There's another reason that has nothing to do with scratches. Nails that are too long change how a dog stands and walks, because they push the toes back as the foot hits the ground. Keeping them at a sensible length helps a dog move naturally, and that's most noticeable on slick floors and on older dogs.

What about the quick?

Every nail has a quick, the pink core with blood vessels and nerves. Clip into it and the nail bleeds and the dog remembers. On light nails the quick is visible. On dark nails it isn't, which is why many people feel nervous trimming dark nails.

This is one reason a dremel is so useful. Taking nails down a little at a time makes it easier to stop before the quick, and it leaves a finished edge at every step. If your dog has dark nails and a history of bloody trims, it's worth asking for a professional approach instead of fighting it at home.

Doing it at home, if you do

If you trim at home, go slowly and keep it positive. Handle your dog's paws on quiet days with no clippers in sight, and hand out treats. Introduce the dremel the same way, because the noise and vibration surprise some dogs. Keep the grinder moving, since a tool held in one spot gets warm. Trim small amounts, often, and stop the moment your dog is stressed.

If a nail bleeds and doesn't stop, if a nail is torn, or if your dog is limping, call your vet. Don't try to push through a trim that's gone wrong.

Asking about nail trims at K9MR

Nail trims are handy to pair with a daycare or boarding visit, since your dog is already on the property. No price is listed here, and services change, so ask Tracy what's available when you book. Rabies proof may be requested, and you should have your dog on a leash and under control at check-in.

K9 Mountain Resorts is one mile north of Victor at 7313 South Highway 33, behind the white fence. To ask about nail trims, text Tracy at (208) 607-9509.