The Best Dog Nail Grinders

When it comes to our best furry friend, one aspect to focus on is their nails when it comes to grooming. After a while, they can grow to be very long if we do not grind them down. Extremely long nails can also be painful for a pooch. It is important to find a dog nail grinder that works well for you, can give you the results that you are looking for, and not be completely scary to your dog. There are quite a variety of different nail grinders on the market today. There are some made for big and small dogs, ones with multiple speeds, wireless, and even rechargeable nail grinders.

Grinding your dog’s nails is also a great alternative to clipping them, as it can be much less stressful on both of you. Clipping nails comes with the inevitable “quicking” or when you make their toenails bleed. Grinding can be safer way of shortening those nails without dreading the quick. We reviewed dozens of dog nail grinders to identify the best of the best. We looked at various features including efficiency, noise level, ease of use and more.

Top Pick

Andis 2-Speed Pet Nail Grinder

A sturdy and solid nail grinder for your furry friend.

When looking at various nail grinders, the Andis 2-Speed Pet Nail Grinder as the best overall. With a high star rating, it is being used by many pet parents on their beloved pups. This grinder has lots of power, but it’s still gentle on your dog’s nails.

The 5 Top-Rated Dog Nail Grinders

Editor’s Picks Brand Rating
Best Overall Andis 2-Speed Pet Nail Grinder 4.6
Runner Up Hertzko Electric Pet Nail Grinder 4.2
Best Budget Buy Pet Republique Pet Nail Grinder & Nail Clippers Set 4.2
Best Quiet Nail Grinder ConairPRO Professional Dog Nail Grinder 4.5
Best 2-Speed Nail Grinder Dremel 7300-PT Dog & Cat Nail Grinder 4.5

*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change

Our Top Pick: Andis 2-Speed Pet Nail Grinder

The Andis 2-Speed Pet Nail Grinder is a wonderful nail grinder to use on your furbaby. It is packed to the brim with amazing features. It has two speeds (7,000/12,000 RPM) which allows you to choose the right velocity for grinding down their nails, slower for more detailed work or faster for a quicker job.

The rechargeable device is quiet, which makes the whole process much less stressful for your dog. There is little doubt that this nail grinder has great power behind it. This grooming tool is great for dogs of all sizes. It is not a heavy tool and can travel wherever you and your dog may go. Nail grinding will take mere minutes with this great tool.

Andis 2-Speed Pet Nail Grinder Key Features:

  • Packed with power
  • Uses 2 speeds
  • Works great for dogs of all sizes
  • Includes a large sanding drum attachment with 3 sanding wheels and a small sanding drum attachment with 2 sanding wheels

Our Runner Up Pick: Hertzko Electric Pet Nail Grinder

Runner Up

Hertzko Electric Pet Nail Grinder

An easy-to-use nail grinder.

The Hertzko Electric Pet Nail Grinder is made with a diamond bit grinder, a very safe and effective way to trim your pet’s nails. Since not every dog is the same exact size, there are three size ports for various openings. The first and second ports are perfectly designed to trim nails on small and medium-sized dogs. If you have a large-sized dog, the entire cover may be removed to expose the whole grinding bit to trim their larger-sized nails.

If you plan on traveling with your dog, this makes a great portable nail grinder to bring with you, so that you can trim their nails quickly and easily. The nail grinder contains a super mute motor, making it a very quiet and efficient way to trim your dog’s nails, especially if your dog does not particularly like loud noises, allowing them to be calm during the process itself.

You do not have to worry about draining batteries or plugging into an outlet in your home, as this nail grinder is rechargeable via USB. When it comes time to clean the nail grinder, it is made easy by removing the piece over the stone to clean up. It is lightweight and extremely easy to use.

Hertzko Electric Pet Nail Grinder Key Features:

  • Quiet operation
  • Can be used on all size dogs
  • Rechargeable
  • Great for travel

Best Budget Pick: Pet Republique Pet Nail Grinder & Nail Clippers Set

Best for Budget

Pet Republique Pet Nail Grinder & Nail Clippers Set

A cordless budget-friendly option that comes complete with nail clippers.

After a reliable nail grinder for under $20? How about one that comes with a pair of nail clippers too? The Pet Republique Pet Nail Grinder & Nail Clippers Set ticks both of these boxes, and more. The nail grinder features two speeds and three different grind stone openings. It’s designed to be very quiet (it’s under sixty decibels), so it won’t upset even the most nervous of dogs.

The grinder is also quick-charging, and can be charged either with batteries or via a USB charger. This set has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from more 1700 customers. Many customers have been pleased with its performance, however, it’s worth keeping in mind that some say they experienced problems using it.

Pet Republique Pet Nail Grinder & Nail Clippers Set Key Features:

  • Battery or USB charging
  • Super-quiet
  • Easy-to-use
  • For use on dogs of all sizes

Best Quiet Dog Nail Grinder: ConairPRO Professional Dog Nail Grinder

Best Quiet Dog Nail Grinder

ConairPRO Professional Dog Nail Grinder

A powerful, yet quiet nail grinder for dogs.

At less than fifty decibels, the ConairPRO Professional Dog Nail Grinder is one of the quietest dog nail grinders on the market. According to the manufacturer, this sound frequency is equal to about a gentle breeze or a refrigerator running normally. It is so quiet, that the sound is hard to pick up. This makes the nail grinding process an easy and quick job.

This nail grinder can easily be plugged into a wall outlet. With its powerful motor, a single nail can be trimmed for about five seconds to achieve your desired result. Cleaning this nail grinder is easy, as all you have to do is remove the protective cover. After that, all you need to do is wipe away the nail dust and any dirt with a tissue or soft cloth. This nail grinder is the perfect solution for dogs that are afraid of loud noises.

ConairPRO Professional Dog Nail Grinder Key Features:

  • Quiet operation
  • Powerful and lightweight
  • Easy to clean
  • Protective adjustable cover

Best Two-Speed Dog Nail Grinder: Dremel 7300-PT Dog & Cat Nail Grinder

Best 2-Speed Dog Nail Grinder

Dremel 7300-PT Dog & Cat Nail Grinder

A sleek, 2-speed nail grinder that effectively trims nails.

The Dremel 7300-PT Dog & Cat Nail Grinder is a great nail grinder for your dog, not least because it offers two rotation speeds. You can either select the 6,500 rotations per minute (RPM) or 13,000 RPM, depending on the needs of your dog. This cordless, battery-operated nail grinding too has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 16,600 customers, making it one of the most-highly rated options on the market.

Thanks to its easy-to-hold, lightweight handle, you won’t need to worry about juggling your pet’s paw and the grinder at the same time. Your pup will have nothing to fear when you use it, and with its two speeds, it can be used on the littlest dog, up to the biggest dog you know.

Dremel 7300-PT Dog & Cat Nail Grinder Key Features:

  • Easy-to-use
  • Two rotation speeds: 6,500 or 13,000 rotations per minute
  • Lightweight design
  • Easy-to-hold handle

Who Should Buy A Dog Nail Grinder

Grooming your pooch can get pretty expensive, and making a veterinarian’s appointment just to have your dog’s nails clipped takes up time that can be spent playing fetch. With a nail grinder, you can easily and quickly do the job at home without spending a ton of money. Plus, your dog will not have to go through the anxiety of sitting in an office, waiting to get their nails clipped. A nail grinder makes the whole process much easier and can be done from the comfort of your own home. Be sure to check out our review of the best dog nail clippers, too.

Many dog nail grinders are of professional grooming quality and can do a great job at trimming nails. If you have a dog that is a bit skittish, there is nothing to worry about. Nail grinders are pretty quiet, so much so that your dog may not even realize that they are getting their nails trimmed. They are a gentle and easy way to take care of your dog’s long nails without having the hassle of trimming them with regular nail clippers. Unlike nail clippers, grinders are typically equipped with a safety guard in place, allowing you to trim the nails down without hitting the “quick,” which is a soft nerve and blood supply in your dog’s paws. Trimming your pet’s nails should be a stress-free experience for both of you.

Top Pick

Andis 2-Speed Pet Nail Grinder

A sturdy and solid nail grinder for your furry friend.

Important Features to Consider

When shopping for a dog nail grinder, it should be easy to use, have a decent amount of power behind it, and trim your dog’s nails effectively. Here is what to consider when selecting dog nail clippers for your dog:

  • Safety. Above all, we want our pets to be safe. The same principle applies when it comes to grooming them. When looking for a dog nail grinder, you should consider one that has a safety guard on it. A safety guard makes certain that you do not cut their nails too short to the point where they are painful or they bleed. With a safety guard in place, you are able to see exactly how far down you are grinding your dog’s nails. Oftentimes, they can also catch the clippings from the dog’s nails, saving you from having to sweep them up later on.
  • Noise Level. This is most definitely a point to consider when purchasing a nail grinder for your dog. For many dogs, clipping/trimming their nails may have been a bad experience for them in the past, or they are just skittish around loud noises. Plenty of dog nail grinders on the market are very quiet, with some under fifty decibels, which is almost imperceptible to the human ear. By choosing a dog nail grinder with a low noise level, you and your dog will both have a stress-free experience when it comes to trimming their nails.
  • Ease Of Use. A good dog nail grinder should be easy to use. It should not be bulky or too large. You should be able to hold it in your hand with ease, and not feel like you are fumbling either the paw or the machine at the same time.\
  • Power Source. This is more of a preference, but it is an important feature to consider when choosing a dog nail grinder. If you do not plan on traveling with your dog, a corded grinder that would stay at home could do the job just fine. If you plan on going on longer trips, you may want to consider a rechargeable or battery-operated nail grinder instead. Many can be small enough to fit in your suitcase, so that you may easily take it with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are dog nail grinders and how do they work?

Dog nail grinders are a type of nail grooming tool used to trim a dog’s nails. Unlike clippers, they are usually electrically powered or battery operated. They are a very useful tool to use when it comes to trimming your dog’s nails. Nail grinders work by using a rotating component that is usually covered in a material that is similar to sandpaper. This material is what helps to wear down the dog’s nails in a quick manner.

Are nail grinders safe for dogs?

When properly used, nail grinders are perfectly safe. Grinders have an advantage over nail clippers because to use them, you have to grind them in short and quick spurts at a time. With traditional nail clippers, you may not see the “quick” of your dog’s nail before you cut it. Many grinders have a built-in safety mechanism that makes certain that you are not going to be able to grind your dog’s nails down too short.

Are dog nail grinders better than clippers?

Nail grinders make the task of trimming your pet’s nails very easy. It is a much more efficient way of trimming your pet’s nails, as it is quicker to use a grinder than clippers. The job will be done in a fraction of the time it takes to use nail clippers. Not only that, you are able to use a tool that is not going to upset your dog, as some dogs can be skittish and nervous when they see a pair of nail clippers. Grinders usually have a good amount of power behind them but are also pretty quiet. Many operate at very low frequencies, so as not to upset the dog while grooming them.

How often should you grind your dog’s nails?

Grinding your dog’s nails depends on a variety of different factors. One of them is age. Younger dogs who go on more walks tend to need their nails clipped less often as walking, especially on rough surfaces, naturally grinds down nails. Dogs who go on fewer walks due to their older age, may need their nails clipped more frequently than their more active counterparts. The environment is also a factor. If you walk your dog primarily on asphalt or concrete, their nails are naturally being ground down by that surface. However, if you walk them in perhaps a dog park, where there is more grass and dirt, you would need to grind their nails more often.