Why You Should Grind Instead of Clip

How many of us put off trimming our dog's nails during a dog grooming session because of the stress of dog nail clipping tools or the time-consuming event of a day at the vets or groomer? Nail care is an essential part of your dog's comfort and proper care. If your dog's nails touch the floor or you can hear the nails "click" as your pet walks, your pet is due for a trim. Overgrown nails can cause a variety of problems from deformed feet (splayed toes), hip and back problems, to torn nails. A dog with splayed toes from nail overgrowth will find it uncomfortable to put their full body weight on their feet. Just walking can then be a painful experience. For the pet parent, overgrown nails can cause painful scratches and damage to hardwood floors and furniture.

Using a dog nail clipper is a stressful event for pet parent and professional alike. Due to the anatomy of the dog's nail, dog nail clippers are an incorrect method of trimming an animal's nail. Inside the nail there are sensitive nerves and blood vessels called the "quick." Cuts with a dog nail clipper are blind and inaccurate causing injury. Even when the quick is not cut, the pressure from the blades pinches down on the sensitive nerves causing sharp pain. Dog nail clippers split and crush the nail leaving it jagged and rough. As the blades of the dog nail clipper become increasingly dull, the problem gets worse. Dogs develop negative reactions ranging from nervous to completely terrified of having their nails cut. Some dogs even have fearful associations with having their paws handled because of the dog nail clipper.

The popularity of rotary tool use for dog nail grooming has grown tremendously in the last decade. Large companies have marketed rotary tools specifically for the pet industry. The benefits of filing over clipping have made the rotary tool trend a hit for professional groomers, vets, dog show enthusiasts, and many pet parents. Filing mimics nature's process of dog nail removal and thus is the correct way to trim a dog's nails. Painless filing removes enamel in controlled thin increments. This gives the user much more control because it eliminates the danger of taking off too much at one time. Thus, gauging the quick is made easy. Moreover, filing the nail leaves it much smoother and you can shape it to a rounded finish. Regular and proper use of the rotary tool will actually recede the quick and make your future dog nail grooming sessions that much easier.

Rewards Lead to Proper Pet Care

The secret to proper pet grooming at home is a reward system. All pets love treats, and when a treat is offered just before and after a nail trimming, it goes along way to making those pet nail trimming sessions much easier, safer, faster, and more enjoyable for yourself and your pet.

Associative conditioning is crucial for new pets and pets that have been traumatized by past grooming sessions. It also creates a bond with your pet that can be carried over to other parts of your owner-pet relationship. By using this system of conditioning your pet with a positive experience after a nail trimming encounter, you will now be able to show the treats in advance and your pet will already know what is coming, and be ready and waiting for there next pet nail trimming.

Keep the rewards pure and positive so your pet gets a high quality healthy treat in the process. Pet treats loaded with omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants will help maintain healthy skin and coat, as well as go a long way to prevent cancer by helping control a healthy metabolism and overall cellular health. At home dog grooming does not have to be difficult, and with a positive rewards system in place, you can turn a grooming session into a bonding session.

4 Steps to Better Pet Grooming

Pet grooming is an essential part of pet care. Aside from making your pet look better, it also makes them feel better. Take the time to maintain your dog or cat and it will contribute to a longer more fulfilling relationship. Here are a few tips for keeping your pet happy, healthy, and good looking.

Coat – bathe your pet at least once a month and make sure to brush them thoroughly before each bath to eliminate any mats that have formed. Also, brush your pet everyday beginning at an early age. This helps spread natural oils throughout the coat and prevents the skin from getting irritated from dirt buildup.

Nails – trim your pet’s nails about once a month, or as needed. Most professionals use a filing system like the Peticure. It gently files away layers of your pets nails without the risk of harming the quick. Dog grooming has never been so easy with a tool like this.

Teeth – brushing your pets teeth at least twice a week will help avoid periodontal disease and cavities. Make sure and use a small brush with soft bristles as to avoid harming your pet’s gums in the process.

Ears - as with your own ears, when cleaning your pets ears do not probe deep into the ear canal. Simple take a cotton ball with a little mineral oil and gently use it to clean the opening into the canal. Doing this twice a month will ensure your pets ears stay pain free and hearing good.

Peticure Owners -have a little patience

I am mostly satisfied with my purchase. It has taken a day or two to get my dogs used to it. One wouldn't come near me when she heard it. I just turned it on while I walked them, tossed the ball, fed them treats or just sitting on the sofa. I touched it to their backs, legs and paws while the device was running. I changed the speed so they would get used to all of them. They are still adjusting to it. I was able to get the most difficult dog to sit still long enough to do 1 nail after two days. She would run when I pull out the vacuum so it was no surprise when she ran from this.

I have not been able to get all four paws done in one sitting as they both are a little unsettled by the feel of it. I am sure I will be able to get them both to come around in about a weeks time.

The sanding sleeves wear down rather quickly though. It would be great if you would provide about 8 sanding sleeves with the initial order. I do prefer this method to the clippers. I highly recommend this product.

The owners should have patience though because it may take a little effort to get the pet used to the sound and sensation of the device.

Thank you,

Debra