Our rescues always come to us in bad condition and always with bad toenails. I take them in to have them cut, because I don,t want to cut to far and cause an infection. the problem is that after they are cut, they are very sharp, I have taken an emeryboard, and tried to round them out, it helps, but they are still sharp. Anyone have any suggestions on this? It would be greatly appreciated.

Don't know what size dog you're working with (assuming you're talking dogs), but I use a dremel with the sander attachment to keep the nails under control with my great dane. Works great. I can't use regular clippers, his nails are too big. Well I guess I could, but I'd need tree loppers to do a good job. Dremel is much easier and leaves a nice smooth edge.

I have a couple of different types of rotary tools (like the dremel brand). The best one for my dog use is a battery operated variable speed one, it came with two batteries and charger, lots of attachements and was only about 25 dollars, on sale at Mennards. It tends to be quieter and slower than the plug in one.

Some cautions with their use? Get the dog used to the noise, by turning it on nearby then working on one nail at a time, and only use it at a low speed, just fast enough so it keeps spinning while grinding? Also apply, remove, apply, remove or tap it gently to sand the nail. It's friction will cause the nail bed to heat up and get HOT and uncomfortable for the dog otherwise.
Make sure the hair is trimmed short around the toes, as long hair can get caught and wrapped around the end and pull!

Same here with using the Dremel! I took my Lab/German shepherd mix to the pet store to have her nails done, and that's what they used, and since I have one, I used it. Worked great and no sharp edges, which is good, because Sasha really likes to "paw" at you for attention.

Thank you all so very much. I am going to look for a Dremel tomarro. I have been scared to cut to much myself, because I have heard they could bleed to death, or cause infection, if you cut down to far. I have always took them in, and I do need to learn to do them myself. We have a rescue kitten right now, that needs cutting, and Annie needs hers cut again. I have been useing a big emory board to file them round.

Ringo, I know what you mean about getting their confidence. Annie, Dobberman, and George, Tom cat, front declawed, but back, not, will let me do anything to them, but the rescues, that is a whole new thing. They are always thinking you are going to hurt them. It takes a long time to work on them. The little kitten is very shy right now, unless it is time to eat. Then she tries climbing your leg. I think it will be a while before I am able to do much with her. I have clipped the very ends, with dh helping.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: brightstar,

I posted this before but thought I would add it here. If your dog has long hair on it's feet you can use a knee high stocking to contain it. Just put the stocking over the foot and push the nails through it. The nails are exposed and the hair is controlled.

"BrightStar," As far as clipping/cutting nails on the dogs, listen to the bright people on this board. As for the cats? Huhhh?

I've had cats all of my life; they are quite capable of taking care of their nails without help from us. So leave them alone!

You can cause more damage than do good and they really don't need it. A kitten? Give her a break and let her develop her own nail trimming method.

I have only clipped the nails on two cats in my life. The first had an injury around her ear that she kept scratching so I had to trim the right rear foot and put on soft claws for about three months until it healed.

The second was a very elderly cat who had stopped grooming and her very long claws were causing difficulty in movement. Except in dire situations, people should leave their cats' nails alone and they will be fine.

PS. If you just let them do it natually, there are no "sharp" edges as you were describing to take care of....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Idaho Resident,

I just posted on another thread about the "Peticure."
Its like a Dremel, but it catches the shavings. I use it on Honey, although she won't let me do all four paws in one sitting, she does trust me enough to let me work w/it. It is a good product, it doesn't leave her nails jagged like clippers do. I just maintain the length every two weeks. I make sure the nails are even w/her pads. The cost is $29.
As far as the cats, w/them you can see the quick so there is less of a chance of hurting them, if they don't like the noise and vibration, try a couple of nails a one time, then come back and do more.

Thank you all for the greatful advice. I did read on the other thread about the Pedicare. I was going to check around about the Dremel, but haven,t had a chance yet. I have been using a Hartz clipper, just to get the very ends.

Idaho, thank you for the info on the cats. We have never had this problem before with a feline. Most of them we have taken in as rescues have been declawed, and the others were not a problem. This little girl has razor sharp claws, and loves to climb up your body at feeding time. Dh and I had to hold her down, which was not easy, just to try to clip the very ends. she is just as hard to put in a carrier to take for shots. This is probably why she was dumped. She is very sweet, but I know it is going to be a problem in finding a home for her. I don,t want to have her declawed, so, I am at a loss to know what to do. I guess this is one of the reasons why people do decide to declaw. This is why our George lost his eye, he could not defend himself, because he was declawed. I did call to get a price for declawing and it was $160. for a kitten. I did not know it cost that much.

Oooh brightstar, please think before declawing. I'm cringing at the thought of it. One of my late cats came to me already declawed and was always sensitive about her paws being touched.
I know how painful cats claws can be, maybe you could get the little plastic claws, they go right over their own claws.

"BrightStar," What exactly is the problem with the kitten and her claws? Quess I missed that part (other than her trying to climb up at feeding time)? BTW, the answer to her climbing up at that time is just basic training of consistent "no" to that behavior.

What is wrong with just leaving her nails alone which is what I really suggest! Please don't even think about declawing; if she is a rescue for whom you are trying to find a home, you will severely limit the SAFE options for her.

Post back with more information on the problems and will try to help with more specific advice. If all else fails and there really is a real problem with the claws, there is a product called "Soft Claws" which I can help you with but I hope it doesn't come to that!

Ok all, thanks for the great advice. Our little rescue kitten did get her claws unsharppened by my new Dremel. This nail clipper is great. Now Our little rescue kitten has unsharp front paws. It was hard to do. She hates to be held, unless she has just eaten. We may also have found a perm. home for her. A lady is coming by tomarro, to see if she is compatible. She just lost her 13 year old female siamese mixed, and our little kitty is a siamese mix, and has the same markings as hers we believe. I took pics with my cell, and showed them to her at the church meeting, so, after church, tomarro, she may have a new home. She said her other cat, did the same thing at first, but she had to teach her to be patient.


I want to let ya know, I have never had any animal declawed. Some of the rescues we have had, have been declawed, as is our tomcat, George. He has no problem, but I guess he is used to it, because he is old. He will not fight, but runs from any danger and hides. I think because he has no nails, is why he runs. I was just checking on the price and precedure and risks, for declawing. I thought we were going to have a problem finding a home for the kitten, and thought because she was such a climber, it might be the best for her. I was wrong about that. I am not as knowledgeable about cats, as I am about dogs. We usually take dogs in as rescues, but there are as many cats, needing homes too. I need to get some cat care books.

Idaho, ROTFL. This little kitten almost attacks you. We have told her no, pushed her down, even used a newspaper, to pop at her, to no avail. If she sees her feeding bowl, she is fast at climbing up to get it, before you can put the food in it. We try to put her in another room, until the bowl is ready, and she will still climb up you, as soon as you open the door, even if you have already put her bowl down. She loves to eat. We leave dry food down, but it is the canned food she is so happy to see. We have never had a feline that gets so excited about eating like she does. When we got her, a few weeks ago, she was so starved for food, she is looking much better now. We give her more than she should eat, and still, she wants more. I think dh has already spoiled her, because she loves the tuna fish. Fran said she reminds her of her Betty. I hope she likes this kitty.i have never heard about the soft claws, I have to check that out. Thanks for your help. I am sure our George thanks you too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: brightstar,

"brightstar," So happy to hear that you might have found a home for the kitten! Crossing my fingers that it will work out....

BTW, I'm more knowledgeble about cats than dogs so we balance each other out. Feel free to post here or PM me anytime you have a cat question and I'll try to help if I can.

Glad kitten is keeping her claws!

Thanks Idaho, I really hope Fran takes the little kitty. That is what we have been calling her. Thanks about the pms, with us taking in some of the cats lately, I know I will need your help in the future. Thanks so much.

We just saw 2 more cats down by the county lumber yard yesterday, but we could not get them to come up to us. I called the shelter. I am so sick of seeing them ran over, when I go back to put food out for them, if we can,t get them in a carrier to bring home. It really makes me angry at people who just dump animals on the less traveled streets.

quote:

PS. If you just let them do it natually, there are no "sharp" edges as you were describing to take care of....

My cat Buzzie must be a throw back or something because he's never taken care of his nails. There are times when they are like needles they're so sharp so I clip them and he's fine with it.

Our cat Buttons has long nails that are very sharp. We've had them trimmed at the vet a few times, but I would like to be able to use the Peti Paws on him. He's a little "scardy-cat" (pardon the pun) and runs at sudden noises. He's 13 yrs old, and loves to be brushed, and even likes me to hold his paws and rub the pads. But just sitting on your lap, you feel his claws. He does shed the covering off his claws on a regular basis, but then the nails are just as sharp. Our Misty, who died last Nov., had shorter claws and you never felt them unless she was about to fall off your lap.

I just use these little cat nail clippers and just cut the very tips off that are like little needles. Buzz has never minded when I do it and I do it since he doesn't seem to have the inclination to deal with them himself.

I clip my cats nails all the time and she loves it. She is such a girl and loves her "mani's & pedi's".
As far as dogs go....once clipped to help with dulling up the edges try a long walk (or a few) on concrete. It does help.

When using either the Dremel or Peticure there's no chance of causing any bleeding? I see one poster files the nails even with the pads - is that a good length? I've never done this before and I'd really like to try it. Anyone have any further guidelines about how much to trim? Does it depend on the size of the dog? Mine is 67 lbs.

Here's a link for dremeling. My dog was terrified of the dremel at first, so I kept it right by the sofa and when he'd get up and lay down by me for lovies, I casually take a paw, turn the dremel on and off. Then after a while I'd grab a nail and lightly sand a little. This took weeks, but now he can sleep through it, it's just a non issue and soooooo much better than clipping.

Dremeling nails directions

This message has been edited. Last edited by: yeeehawterri,

Those are great instructions.

I have never heard of a dog bleeding to death from a cut nail. Never heard of them getting an infection either.

It is possible to make a dog bleed with the dremel. It's always a good idea to have some stypic powder on hand just in case.

Thanks so much for the great instructions...we'll introduce our dog to the dremel this weekend!