divvi posted a while back about seeing ads for the Peticure, an electronic nail file for pets. I found the same item (exactly, even the same exact video ad) at another site under another name, PediPaws I think, and similar if not identical tools elsewhere -- with prices all over the scoreboard.
I've been trying to find something for my husband's toenails. One of the nurses on "the other site" recommended taking ADLOs to a podiatrist to have their toenails filed, NOT clipped, since older patients can get into all sorts of trouble if clippers nick the skin. (And since my husband is on Plavix, he bleeds very, very easily.) The Peticure doesn't look like it would work, since it has a guard that lets only the small pet nail near the file surface.
I knew I'd seen a word for the tool recommended for people that started with a "d" but couldn't remember it. Today, I finally found the "dremel" on amazon.com ... it's the name of the manufacturer, not the type of tool. And Dremel apparently is THE name in small drills/grinders:
There are more than a hundred happy customers reporting how well it works on their dogs. (Also parrot toenails and beaks. And human toenails, and fingernails. Also sanding down rough skin and calluses on feet. And polishing jewelry... among other uses.) Some good tips in with the reviews -- for example, one person noted that with longer-haired dogs, the hair might get tangled in the sander, and suggested try using some old nylons and just poking the dog's nail through the nylon when you trim. Others just trim the hair first.
There is also the Dremel 761-03 7,000/14,000 RPM Cordless Pet Nail Grooming Rotary Tool, but it apparently doesn't have quite the power etc. Many positive reviews, but others suggested going with a slightly pricier but sturdier unit, especially for larger dogs.
Articles on using a Dremel (or Oster Grinder or similar tool) to trim dog nails:
Would be interesting to try on my cats. I don't think I'd survive the experience. I do think it is great for humans. A skin nick can so easily get infected.
I have to take my new little Domestic shorthaired cat to the vet next week to get a booster shot. He also needs another treatment for fleas and ear mites. I plan on asking the vet to trim is claws. He's about 4 mos old now and those little claws are like little daggers. Man, they are so sharp.
I take DH to a nail salon. The first time I took him in, I told them it was essential that they sterilize the clippers before they cut his nails. A podietrist is quite a ways from here and we'd need to take a couple of buses. We can walk to the nail salon. I called the other day for an appointment and when we entered the shop, she held up the clippers and sprayed them thoroughly with alcohol. She speaks quite broken English but she understood that. I hope I didn't offend her, but then, better her be offended than DH get an infection.
Mawzy you should try one of the new flea meds that you just put on the back of his neck. The Vet has it. One of them also takes care of the ear mites and something else. You won't have any more flea problem.
Mawzy-you shouldn't have to ask for sterile clippers-it should be a given. A quick spray with alcohol really isn't enough. Implements need to be scrubbed and soaked. You might consider bringing your own clippers. Sorry to be a slug-but it's the nurse in me. Good for you for being so vigilant. Nora
I've been able to get three out of four of my cats to let me clip their (front) claws as needed. I keep a set of clippers by my recliner which is where they like to sleep in my lap, and I just gently do one claw at a time. If/when they realize I'm doing something I immediately stop and let them hop down, go back later. Handling the toes gently every time they're sleeping sortof conditions them.
My husband, that's a different story. I can't cut his toenails without him YELPING that I'm hurting him. He can't hop down, though!
Mawzy, you are going to have to learn to clip your kitty's claws yourself. They grow too fast to wait for a trip to the vet. Usually, you only have to do the front paws ... claws on the back paws get worn down as the cat runs around.
Cat claws are easier to clip than dog claws, in one respect, in that it is much easier to see the "quick" and so avoid hurting the cat and making the claw bleed.
Some people do indeed use the Dremel for their cats, and I'm going to give it a try. Mostly, though, what my cats haven't liked is having their paws held. The clipping itself hasn't seemed to bother them much (unless I did get too close to the quick on the rare occasion.)
My mixed Siamese/tiger would let me trim his claws, no problem. But I've never been able to do it by myself with the tortoiseshell -- my husband has to hold her.
briegull, you hold your husband in your lap while trimming his nails ... ??? :-) Or do you put him on the bed and sit on him?
And therei lies the crux----I have macular degeneration and can no longer see well enough to trim DH's or the cat's claws. The last time I did DH's, I cut his toe and as he's on aspirin therapy, he bled like a stuck hog. Very messy. Also, I'm sure the salon does keep there stuff clean. When she brings out the tray, they are all in a jar in some kind of a solution. I think she's just making a big deal out of spraying them with alcohol because I was being such a pain. But, then, I figure it better for me to be a pain than her to cause a pain, so I didn't feel guilty.
And you are correct. Those little kitten claws grow like mad. I bought him a nice sizel climbing/scratching tree but he prefers the arm of my old chair. Fortunately, it's not my good furniture but I'm trying to get him to go to the tree. Any suggestions? I rubbed catnip into the sizel and also some kind of fishy stuff but he only does it when he takes a notion.
Forgot about the eyesight problem. Hmmm. Our PetCo has a pet grooming service, maybe you have something similar nearby? (This is for the kitten, mind you, not your husband!)
As for training my cats to use a scratching post ... sigh. I suppose the problem was that I worked 80 hours a week, but the old couch was the weapon-sharpener of choice. Permanently. Anyway, that only sharpens those little weapons, it doesn't wear them down to the point they aren't lethal. Trimming is essential.
Some places have pet groomers that make house calls. Try your yellow pages...
If your husband is on Medicare, they'll pay for a visit to the podiatrist for toenail trimming every so often. I've seen once every 60 days, and once every 90 days. I'm sure the beauty parlor follows the law when it comes to cleanliness, but clipping may be a problem anyway.
Some people have found podiatrists who will do house calls, cost around $35/month. Another person reported finding a mobile Podiatrist in the yellow pages who comes the house every two months and clips the ADLO's toenails and fingernails, gives him a foot massage and treats any problems at that time of visit. She charges $60 per visit.
I have to add to my little story of taking DH to the nail salon to get his toe nails cut. I was having my eye brows done at the same time. I turned over and said "How are you doing, over there,Hon?" He said "Oh, I guess I'm ok. I still have 10 toes. The Vietnamese girl working on him knew enough Englist to be tickled by the joke and she gave him a lolly-pop when she finished. It was all wrapped up in cellophone so I didn't have to inspect it for germs. ::))