What do most freshly groomed dogs do when they greet their owner? Jump up on them to offer a happy hello. If you have trimmed their claws but not buffed them, they will be sharp and may deliver a nasty scratch. When it comes to smoothing the sharp edges, groomers have various choices.
- If you don’t have any sort of file or rotary buffing tool, you can use your trimmers and make multiple small nips to trim any noticeable pointy edges off each claw. Of course, this won’t solve the problem, but it will help a bit.
- A plain manual nail file. This takes a lot of elbow grease from the groomer and some patience from the dog because it takes a while, but it is a worthwhile endeavor to smooth things and is a good solution for dogs frightened of motorized tools.
- Rotary-style smoothing tools. Quick, efficient, and practical, your customers will note how much shorter and sleeker their pet’s nails are—in most cases, trimming the claw first works best, then finish it with a rotary tool. You can take off some additional length while you lose those razor-sharp edges.
When choosing a nail tool, remember that the higher the RPM (rotation per minute), the faster and more efficient it will be. Variable speed options offer extra versatility. Rechargeable battery-operated tools are an excellent choice for groomers because if they happen to catch some fur, they will halt. More powerful, corded tools can continue spinning until they damage hair or skin.
Some rotary tools come with a choice of stones or paper bands. Because the stones can become hot with prolonged use, many groomers use paper bands on pets’ claws. Coarse paper bands will remove the nail surface more quickly and efficiently but may leave a more ragged edge to the claw. Finer bands work well to leave a smoother finish but take longer to shorten the claw. Newer to the industry are diamond-finished grooming tips. They provide an extremely smooth surface to the nail with less vibration. They do need to be cleaned regularly because they become clogged by the dust created while buffing the claws.
Health-conscious groomers will always wear a mask while buffing nails to avoid inhaling the fine dust the tool produces.
If you take the time to go the extra mile and smooth your grooming dog’s nails before they go home, the joyous unions will not be paired up with nasty scratches.
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
