Nail care: the Dremel

[BeauBuddy]

I used to use a cat nail clipper on my doxies but I found out from a show breeder how they get the nails really short. Like 1/4 inch short. I was told that they use a dremel with a sanding drum. The dremel is not the plug in type, which has too much power, but the rechargable battery kind.

So I've been using the dremel, NO clippers, for over 2 years now. I love it!

The way you get the nails really short is this. When you start off, clip the excess nail away. Then use the dremel to sand down the nail, just gently. The inside of the nail initially looks dead but as you get closer to the quick, it starts to look more alive, or pinkish. You are at the quick. Even if you do zing it with the sanding drum, it will be just a pin prick amount of blood, as opposed to the guilitine CHOP of the clipper.

The quick will respond by pulling back in the nail. In 3 days, repeat. There won't be so much nail to trim, so No Clippers!! The quick will continue to respond by pulling back and eventually the nails will be 1/4 inch long. It took me about 2 months to go from long nails to short.

Short nails allow the doxie to walk properly. This is important for their feet, and most important for their backs!!! Surprisingly, long overgrown nails do put a LOT of stress on the back! Wish I knew this 15 years ago!! So that's why I'm sharing this with you!

Here's a link of how to dremel nails that has great pics too.
http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/dremel/dremel.html

By the way, when the dremel is running, I give them a massage with the handle. I run it down their backs, between the shoulder blades. They just relax and enjoy the spa treatment. :faint:

When I turn the dremel on, they actually come running to me. Not so with the clippers!!

BeauBuddy

[Suzanne R]

Great idea! Now if I could only convince my vet/groomer!!! They still use the lousy clippers.

[Melisande]

:faint: Dragon hates our dremel we bought for him. I think I may give it another go though now that we have discovered how much he loves ice cream. Filing his nails by hand takes forever.... :banghead:

[BeauBuddy]

If your doxie doesn't like the noise you can introduce them slowly. If you are sitting relaxed watching TV, during the commercial, run the dremel. It will blend in with the background TV noise. If that's good, then run the dremel in one hand, and massage the doxie with the other. You know, take it slowly.

If your doxie is lucky enough to go to the groomer I would still do the nails myself at home every 3rd day, to get the nails really short.

I have smooths, but a long hair doxie breeder said that they poke the nails through a nylon stocking to hold back the fluffy hair.

Does anyone use the dremel and love it??

BeauBuddy

[xena777xena]

I'll pass the info along. I'm a chicken and leave the nail clippings to the groomers.

[red&black]

We just bought a dremel for our bunch. We haven't really used it yet but hope to soon. I've given it a brief test run on a couple of ours and they hated it (but then again they hated clipping too).

Black Jack's nails were recently cut down to nubs & cauterized under anesthesia lately. We hope to keep them super short with the dremel.

[oscarforevermom]

So I've been using the dremel, NO clippers, for over 2 years now. I love it!


What kind of dremel did you buy and how much are they? Which of those little heads that they show in the pictures do you use?

I think my little men would let me do their nails. I'd like to have them look neater and if it's better for their back - it's worth a try.

Thanks for sharing. :hug2:

[BeauBuddy]

I've had this dremel for a long time. It's got a LOT of miles on it for sure! It is cordless and has a rechargeable battery, which I think is a must! I would get 2 batteries so one can charge while using the other.

I haven't tried the new models which are now available, so maybe someone else can jump in here.

The attachment is a sanding drum. Check here, it looks like #2 (Now that sounds funny doesn't it?? ha ha) http://www.dremel.com/en-US/master-search-results.htm?search=sanding%20drum

My doxies were adopted as adults and they never had experienced the dremel until coming here. There is no rush to hurry things along. Easy does it.

BeauBuddy

[Christena]

We got the one they market for pet care. Called Dremel Pet Tool. Ours is orange and only has the sanding drum attachment. Cost about $30 I think; I orderd it online just search for Dremel. Uses four AA batteries and they last pretty well. I saw one they market for pumkin carving after Halloween last year-looked just like ours for like $20. At first I would give them a spoonful of peanut butter and work on nails; now Josh and Auggie will just come and get them done, they know a treat is coiming when they are done. When I need a new one I will get the rechargeable; I thought the one marketed for pets would have more info on doing pet nails but it really didn't.

[fdcutee]

I started using a dremel about a year ago. I just went to home depot or lowes and picked out a rechargable one. I love how it keeps their nails from having sharp edges and they don't seem to mind it as much as the nail clippers.

[zoeysmom]

I wish my Zoey felt that way. I got a Dremmel - She tears out of the room if I even turn it on.

The vacuum doesn't bother her, but turn on the Dremmel and she flys into another room.

Maybe some day but I"m not holding my breath.:)

[BeauBuddy]

Well you can always use the dremel to remove grout in the bathroom!! It can be used many ways. I told my husband to get his own!! ha ha

It's true that you can really smoothen the nails so they aren't so sharp on your bare legs!

BeauBuddy

[Cocoa and Me]

I started using a dremel about a year ago. I just went to home depot or lowes and picked out a rechargable one. I love how it keeps their nails from having sharp edges and they don't seem to mind it as much as the nail clippers.

How much was the one you got? I have a Home Depot and Lowes near me :) Did you have to buy extra heads, or did some sanding ones come with the dremel?

Oh, and how often do you have to change the sanding heads? :thanx:

[fdcutee]

How much was the one you got? I have a Home Depot and Lowes near me :) Did you have to buy extra heads, or did some sanding ones come with the dremel?

Oh, and how often do you have to change the sanding heads? :thanx:

I think it was around $30 or so.... but not more than $40. And it came with different and extra sanding heads and things. I haven't had to buy anything for it since I got it (I'm still using the same head). I'd strongly recommend a cordless one (with rechargable battery) and at least two speeds (I always use the lowest speed). Let me know if you get one and if you have any questions about using it. :) Oh I wanted to mention that it's just a regular dremel.... it's not specified for pets (I first found one in our local pet store and it was around $100!).

[Cocoa and Me]

I think it was around $30 or so.... but not more than $40. And it came with different and extra sanding heads and things. I haven't had to buy anything for it since I got it (I'm still using the same head). I'd strongly recommend a cordless one (with rechargable battery) and at least two speeds (I always use the lowest speed). Let me know if you get one and if you have any questions about using it. :) Oh I wanted to mention that it's just a regular dremel.... it's not specified for pets (I first found one in our local pet store and it was around $100!).

Thanks :) I think I'll look into a dremel. My two were 100% fine with nail clippings and then one day they both seemed to start hating it. I think Mousse started hating it first, and then Cocoa decided she hated it too :dunno: I never made them cry or bleed so it wasn't a bad experience. They just said NO MORE MOM!!! :dizzy:

[oscarforevermom]

I just looked up a source to buy one and found the pet nail model at Amazon for $22.50. Free shipping if you spend $25 - so you could buy the 1/4" extra bands to make up the difference.

Be sure to read the reviews. I use 4 AA rechargeable batteries for my Canon Powershot camera - so I would use the same in the dremel tool.. You can recharge up to 1,000 times!!

I'm thinking that I may just get one and try it. Thanks for bringing the subject up!!

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-761-03-Cordless-Grooming-Rotary/dp/B0000C6DZ2/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-3251525-4875365?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1187405031&sr=8-2

[UnderdogsMom]

I wish my Zoey felt that way. I got a Dremmel - She tears out of the room if I even turn it on. The vacuum doesn't bother her, but turn on the Dremmel and she flys into another room
Maybe some day but I"m not holding my breath.:)


Dremmels, Vacuums ,Oh my my , Sounds like the torture chamber to us guys:sorry:

We dont like those thingys and we hate our nails cut too.

Signed Underdog, FoxiRoxi and Mr. Peeps
:faint::faint::faint::faint::faint:

[JayLu50]

I too use the Dremel on my dog's nails. They didn't appreciate it at first but have become accustomed to it. Sure saves accidentally knicking the quick with the clippers.

I bought the rechargable one - and am quite disappointed the rechargeable battery lasted less than a year - I'm going to invest in a corded one next.

I even use the Dremel on those dratted summer callouses you get on your feet in the summer with sandal wearing. Works great!

[Christena]

"I even use the Dremel on those dratted summer callouses you get on your feet in the summer with sandal wearing. Works great!"


I thought it was just me that tries things like this but it does work great!

[BeauBuddy]

I too use the Dremel on my dog's nails. They didn't appreciate it at first but have become accustomed to it. Sure saves accidentally knicking the quick with the clippers.

I bought the rechargable one - and am quite disappointed the rechargeable battery lasted less than a year - I'm going to invest in a corded one next.
No Way. Only a year?? Mine just seem to keep going and going!!! I'm talkin years here! Lucky me. The dremels with the cord, the plug in, has a LOT more power!!! Be VERY careful if you decide to go with that!! JMO, but I would prefer to get another regargeable battery.

I even use the Dremel on those dratted summer callouses you get on your feet in the summer with sandal wearing. Works great!
Thanks for the tip! I think I'll try it! I do use the dremel on "someone's" big toe that has had the nail damaged from fungus years ago. It tends to grow thick and can't fit in the shoe. The dremels aren't just for dachshund nails after all!!

[oscarforevermom]

I bought the rechargable one - and am quite disappointed the rechargeable battery lasted less than a year - I'm going to invest in a corded one next.

Are you buying rechargeable batteries and do you have a battery charger? The batteries I have can be recharged up to 1,000 times. I use them for my digital camera and I have 2 sets...one set in the cam and the other in my recharger waiting to be recharged.

If I get the dremel - I'll be using rechargeable batteries in it.

[JayLu50]

Well dopey me - that's what I get for not reading directions - I do have one you can replace the batteries in - so there's my problem - going to get new batteries today!

I also used the soft buffing tip to polish my rings.

[red&black]

We got our Dremel kit at Target for $29. It wasn't the Dremel brand, but it seems to be a good one. It has 5 power levels. (and I used it on my calluses last night too lol)

[Melisande]

Ok, you have all inpired me to try the Dremel again.

Even though the last time we tried, it, Dragon peed all over, before it even touched him. :irked:

I think this task may call for some ice cream though... WISH ME LUCK!

[Orchid Crazy]

We use the dremel on Buddy and I love it! It's a real money saver as well as keeping his nails down at a very healthy length which is good for him. Some days it's good, some days it's not. He does try to snarl, etc at me at times, then others I can zip away and he hasn't a clue.

When he gets bratty, I cut up small pieces of baby carrots and have someone feed him them while I do his nails.

[Melisande]

He does try to snarl, etc at me at times, then others I can zip away and he hasn't a clue.


Dragon always snarls at me when I do the middle nail on the back feet for some reason. Its also the only nail the cat hates having trimmed, we save it for last, because she gets PO'd. Anyone else notice anything with that particular nail? I've always wondered if there is something different about it.

[EdieBird]

I got myself a Craftsman cordless rotary tool, the Dremel was twice the price and had a ton of attachments I'll never use. I have a Dremel Mini-Mite but misplaced the battery charger, so it's useless now! LOL

My Shepherd acts like he's going to die if I touch his feet. Shaking, trying to crawl away, it's just pathetic. LOL I did start on his front feet tonight with the rotary tool. Hopefully he'll realize that I'm not trying to murder him.

GingerSnap gets a whiff of the whirring motor and gets the mega-zoomies. Should be fun when I get to her after charging the battery back up.

[daionara]

Skyler likes the dremel alright, and the groomer uses it on him. Jesse hates EVERYTHING. I'll be having his nails whacked/cauterized during his neutering so that they are way short. Then I'll take him in weekly for dremelling at the groomers.

[jzutis]

Yep, we are total Dremmel people ourselves. I do use the clipper to take just a bit of the tip off and then dremmel them down. I think it's VERYIMPORTANT FOR OWNERST TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE DREMMEL CAN GET HOT!!!! Don't keep it on one nail too long. Work quickly and move from nail to nail. That is the only precaution I can think of for using it. It's a God send!:Sun2:

[Cocoa and Me]

OK, I need help picking one out :dizzy:

For everyone with a dremel, can you post a website that advertises it? :thanx:

[BeauBuddy]

Check out this page:

http://www.best-in-show.ca/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/zw77750_f.jpg

[Cocoa and Me]

Thanks for the link!
I think I found the same one :)
http://grooming.petedge.com/Dremel-Mini-Mite-2-Speed-Cordless-Grinder-ZW77750.pro?parentCategoryId=190&categoryId=213&subCategoryId=274&subsubCategoryId=375
http://grooming.petedge.com/Dremel-2-Speed-Cordless-Grinder-ZW77000.pro?parentCategoryId=190&categoryId=213&subCategoryId=274&subsubCategoryId=375

Do one or the other seem better :dunno: Thanks! :thanx:

[Orchid Crazy]

This is where we got ours http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-761-03-Cordless-Grooming-Rotary/dp/B0000C6DZ2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_7/002-4472185-5701622?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1187885250&sr=8-7 Add a pack of the replacement sanding tubes and you get free shipping.

[BeauBuddy]

Now I haven't bought a dremel in years so I am interested in what people buy and their comments after using it. I see that the pet nail trimmer dremel that is orange colored has reviews posted here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B0000C6DZ2/sr=8-7/qid=1187885250/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_top/002-7065849-6500009?ie=UTF8&n=228013&s=hi&qid=1187885250&sr=8-7#customerReviews

It doesn't seem to have the power that dremel folks like to have, and they say it goes through batteries like crazy.

Here's one comment, but you can go read them all if you like:

I have Dremeled my dog's nails since he was a pup and there is no better way to do it. However, this item is cheap and weak and runs through batteries. Just do yourself a favor a get a Dremel that will do the job well in the first place. It costs a bit more, but is well worth it in reliability and saved aggravation. The one you want is the Dremel MultiPro Cordless 7700-02. (You don't need the 50 accessories that come with it for your dog's nails, but I've only seen it sold that way and that's how it's sold on Amazon.)

The two keys here are that it is a 7.2V Dremel so it is much stronger and better suited for large dogs, and it comes with a rechargeable battery pack so you don't have to replace batteries. Plus, you'll have a real Dremel around the house and you will definitely find other uses for it once you have it. Although the MultiPro may be more expensive initially, you will save money in the long run. Trust me, you'll thank yourself for getting the better tool.

[jzutis]

Great detailed instructions and I like how they stressed that the nails can get HOT if you stay in one place more than 3 SECONDS.

[Orchid Crazy]

I have the orange dremel. I use rechargeable batteries in it so it's not an issue to me. I wanted the freedom of being cordless without the one that has the rechargeable battery included as every review on that model said the batteries don't last. I have tons of rechargeables in my home; switched to them after child #2 came along.

When purchasing, be careful of the power. The higher the rotations, the hotter they get on the nail quicker. I alternate between the high and low speeds on mine depending on what I am doing to the nail. I don't think I'd want anything higher powered than what I have. You can't really think of this as something to do quickly, as in more power = quicker, since more power can equate to more heat on the pups nails quicker. I take my time.

[BeauBuddy]

My old dremel, which is years old, has 2 settings and I use the HI setting which is 10,000 rpm. I feel like that's good and don't need faster.

If you do the nails twice a week :faint: there really isn't much to take off so it does actually go pretty quickly. It takes practice though and the dogs to cooperate, but if you have them for 15 years, you'll figure it out!! ha ha

If you do the nails twice a week, or 3 times a week, the quick will respond by withdrawing and the nails can eventually be very short. Maintenance is easy at that point!

[Cocoa and Me]

My old dremel, which is years old, has 2 settings and I use the HI setting which is 10,000 rpm. I feel like that's good and don't need faster.

If you do the nails twice a week :faint: there really isn't much to take off so it does actually go pretty quickly. It takes practice though and the dogs to cooperate, but if you have them for 15 years, you'll figure it out!! ha ha

If you do the nails twice a week, or 3 times a week, the quick will respond by withdrawing and the nails can eventually be very short. Maintenance is easy at that point!
With a dog that has black nails, how do you know when to stop dremeling? When I clilp their nails I take off so little b/c I'm so afraid of hitting the quick :(

[Melisande]

With a dog that has black nails, how do you know when to stop dremeling? When I clilp their nails I take off so little b/c I'm so afraid of hitting the quick :(

Thats what I'm wondering too. You cant see Dragons quicks at ALL help2:

[BeauBuddy]

It's true you can't see the quick through the black nail. There is the black outside "shell", and the softer inside "fill". You know when you clip the nail, the inside of the nail looks dark grey and dead looking. Sand a bit, and look again. As you get closer to the quick, the inside grey dead stuff starts to change to look more "alive", or starts to look pink. When it's close to the quick it does start to look different. It starts to look like live tissue.

Experience is the best teacher. Have a good look. If you decide "a bit more" and you do zing the quick, it should be just a pin prick of blood, but not at all like the CHOP of the clippers. Then you'll know.

I usually think "ok, close enough", and then remove the black part of the nail all around the quick so the middle of the nail sticks out a bit. That middle will wear on it's own.

Hope that helps. I wish I could show you in person!! I learned by trial and error myself, and I got the hang of it. You will too with some patience.

Seems that owning dogs really teaches me how much patience I don't have!! But what a motivator, those little creatures are!

PS: Really love those piebald white nails!! By the way, can you see the quick on a choc doxie??

[Cocoa and Me]

PS: Really love those piebald white nails!! By the way, can you see the quick on a choc doxie??

Wow, :thanx: for all the helpful hints!

As for chocolates... my girl is a chocolate/tan and her nails are black. There is a small portion on the inner side of the nail that appears to be a little lighter, but not nearly enough to see the quick.

[Melisande]

Yes, very helpfull, THANKS!!

I'm really kind of leery about trying this again, I dont enjoy being peed on. :oops:

[Buddys'momma]

I can't use one I own a cordless one and my lil man's nails are so long this moment but I can't get him to not growl at the site of the clippers or the tool I need hellp lol...

[BeauBuddy]

Hey Buddys'momma!

What does your avatar say? It looks interesting!!

[Buddys'momma]

lol it's the Dashie property laws