Benefits to using a Dremel to trim your dog’s nails include less pain for your dog, as well as smooth, rounded nails.

(thanks to Omaha Maker Group for their encouragement to publish this article, which we discussed during a recent Dremel project night)

Step 1: Make It a Happy Event!

Start acclimating your dog slowly to the noise of the Dremel by giving treats while the Dremel is running, without touching it to your dog’s nails. This may take a few days or weeks.

Step 2: Dremel Settings

Use a sanding drum, with a lower rotation speed. Higher speeds can increase friction on your dog’s nails, causing pain.

Step 3: Start Slowly and Work at the Comfort Level of Your Dog

Start with one or two nails –gradually dremeling more nails each session. Never stay on any one nail for more than a few seconds to avoid overheating, and never go past the quick (the white center of the nail). My dogs, who run from nail clippers, tolerate dremeling well.