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Operation Instructions
Why Use a Dremel Rotary Tool
to Groom Pet Nails?
Of the reasons why people prefer to groom their
pet’s nails with a Dremel rotary tool, the main rea-
son they do is for the pet’s overall comfort.
Scissors and guillotine-type clippers apply pres-
sure and pinch the toenail, which can be very
uncomfortable to pet toes and feet. Also, clipping
toenails increases the likelihood of cutting the
internal blood supply to the nail, called the quick.
Because grinding is more gradual than clipping, it
is easier to stop in time before reaching the quick.
Should you nick the quick using a rotary tool, the
cut is usually smaller, and will heal more quickly
than a cut made with a nail clipper.
Before you start
Grooming a pet’s nails for the first time can be a
worrisome experience for both the pet and the pet
owner. Nail grooming does not have to be a stress-
ful experience. By starting early and considering
grooming to be part of your pets training, your pet
will become used having their nails groomed.
It is recommended that your pet should feel com-
fortable with you touching and handling their feet
before you expose them to the rotary tool. One
way to do this is to take time to manipulate their
paws for a few minutes at least once daily. Giving
your pet a snack that they enjoy is a good way to
associate having their feet touched with a positive
food-related experience.
The next step is to get the pet gradually accus-
tomed to the rotary tool itself. Let the pet sniff the
tool while it is turned off. Next while keeping the
tool in your hand, turn the tool on and let him get
used to the sound it makes. Try to get him to sit or
lay on his side while the tool is in your hand and
running.
Eventually, you need to work up to being able to
touch the rotating sanding drum to the pet’s toe-
nails. Do no grinding at this time; simply let the
animal become familiar with this new situation.
You do not need to touch the tool to the nail for
more than a second.
Throughout the entire acclimation process, contin-
ue to praise the pet and reward good behavior with
his favorite snack. This process may take a couple
of days or even weeks. Before long, both you and
your pet will be able to relax and even enjoy this
grooming time that you share together.
Nail Anatomy
Before trimming pet nails you will need to be able
to identify the quick. The diagram shows the basic
anatomy of a dog’s toenail. The outer nail is hard,
and has no feeling because it has no nerve end-
ings. The core of the nail is the quick. It is made up
of tiny blood vessels, nerve endings and is very
sensitive. The quick is a vein that “feeds” the toe-
nail. Should you cut the quick while trimming a
nail, the nail will start to bleed.
Light colored nails are often transparent enough
to allow you to see the quick’s pink core. Dark
colored nails may not allow you to see where the
quick is. Sometimes, dog’s have both light and
dark colored nails that allow you to estimate the
length of the quick.
The diagram also shows the ideal angle in which to
trim a pet’s nails. The proper angle may vary
according to the pet owner’s wishes or the pet’s
unique anatomy.
ANGLE
OF CUT
FLOOR
DOG’S PAW
QUICK
