Using one of the best nail grinders for dogs and cats is going to make at-home tidy-up sessions a lot easier. Nail grinders are a great option for new pet parents, but with so many options out there, it can be hard to know which is the right one. That's where we come in! We've rounded up seven grinders that we think are the absolute best, with the Casfuy 6-Speed Dog Nail Grinder being our favorite.
It's true that dog nail clippers and cat nail clippers are typically pet parents' go-to tools when it comes to cutting nails. But when it comes to nail clippers vs grinders, there are a few things to consider.
Over-cutting or cutting too close to the quick is a common problem in clippers, whereas you have more control with grinders. Grinders are also a good option for pets that are more nervous. It can be less overstimulating compared to the noise and feeling of traditional clippers.
To determine which grinders were the best, we took into account factors such as the shape of the handle, how loud they were, and whether they had other handy features, for example, an LED light. We also spoke with vet, Dr Rebecca MacMillan, to get expert tips on how to get your pet used to using a nail grinder. Let's see which grinders made the list!
Best nail grinders for dogs and cats
Best overall nail grinder for pets
There are so many good things to say about this grinder. It has six different speeds ranging from 7,000–12,000 RPM, making it one of the most powerful nail grinders on the market. It's suitable for small to large pets, and has a USB cable for charging that lasts two hours.
Reasons to buy: Can be used for small or large pets.
Reasons to avoid: Takes three hours to charge fully.
Best budget nail grinder
This is a great option for pet parents on a budget. It's rechargeable, quiet, and has two different speeds, so you don't lose out on quality even with its lower price point. This grinder can also be used for dogs and cats. The only thing that is noticeably different is the grinder speeds, with only two different speeds compared to the Casfuy Nail Grinder with six.
Reasons to buy: Budget-friendly.
Reasons to avoid: It has only two different speeds.
Best nail grinder for dogs
This nail grinder is gentle, quiet, and helps put your pup at ease while grooming. We love that this grinder has two LED lights, which will help you easily spot the quick before cutting into it. The diamond head rotates 360 degrees to ensure a full and thorough trimming.
Reasons to buy: Fully charged within an hour.
Reasons to avoid: Not as fast as other grinders.
Best nail grinders for cats
The PatPet N8 nail grinder is perfect for cats and other small pets. The quiet vibration keeps pets at ease while grooming their nails, and the fine grinding wheel protects against injuries.
Reasons to buy: Fine grinding wheel makes it easier to handle smaller paws.
Reasons to avoid: May not be suitable for larger pets.
Best battery-operated nail grinder
If you are looking for a cordless battery-operated grinder, the Wahl Grind & Smooth is a great option. This grinder has a guard to protect your pet's paws and an ergonomic, soft handle that allows you to keep a firm grip while grinding their nails.
Reasons to buy: Battery-operated means you won't have to spend hours charging.
Reason to avoid: You will have the added cost of repurchasing batteries.
Best rechargeable nail grinder
This nail grinder is a perfect fit for pets of all sizes. It also has one of the longest battery lives that we have seen, running up to 11 hours on a single charge. It also has a high and low speed. This nail grinder is not as heavy-duty as some of the others, such as the LuckyTail Pet Nail Grinder, so you may need to trim nails with clippers first.
Reasons to buy: Up to 11 hours of usage and fast charging.
Reasons to avoid: Made of plastic with no ergonomic handle and not as heavy-duty as some of the other nail grinders on this list.
Best for large pets
This is a professional-grade grinder that is perfect for large pets. It has a protective cover to catch nail dust before it gets everywhere, and it also features an LED light to make grinding easier and safer. The set includes an extra grinding head as well.
Reasons to buy: Extra grinding head and three different grinding speeds.
Reasons to avoid: Only 2.5 hours of use before needing to be charged again.
Other nail grinders for pets to consider
We noted two other nail grinders that we loved but didn't make the list. The Dremel PawControl 7760-PGK Nail Grinder and Trimmer is definitely a luxury grinder, coming in at $57. It has nine grooming accessories to help take care of your pet's nails and fur.
This 2-in-1 grinder and clipper set is very handy. It's multi-functional, so you can grind your pet's nails or use the clipper side for smaller pets.
How to choose the best pet nail grinder
Product | Price | Best for |
$19.97 | Overall | |
$12.34 | Budget | |
£39.95 | Dogs | |
$26.99 | Cats | |
$31.51 | Battery-Operated | |
$39.99 | Rechargeable | |
$35.99 | Large pets |
A nail grinder needs to be quiet enough not to upset your pet with its whirring motion, and also have minimal vibration. Under 50dB is ideal. You’ll also want the grinder to have a steady action and sufficient power to grind down nails in a few short seconds.
If you have a larger dog or one with thick nails, avoid nail grinders designed only for small and medium-sized pets. A range of grinder port sizes keeps your options open if you have several pets. You may also want to choose either a wired grinder (since you can be sure of a consistent amount of power) or one with a long battery life between charges.
Consider where your pet is most comfortable. You don’t want them to associate their favorite spot with an unwelcome activity and potential discomfort. However, a quiet, undisturbed location will help keep them calm while they’re being groomed. Having chosen a spot, check whether there’s an outlet. If not, you’ll need a battery-powered grinder.
The ergonomic handle design will help you get a good grip when using the grinder, but each nail should require less than 10 seconds of work, so arguably this isn’t as critical a factor as whether you’ll be able to buy new grinder pads once the first ones are worn out.
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Tips for using a nail grinder
For pets who are a little more anxious, Dr Rebecca MacMillan advises a slow approach to getting them used to nail grinders. Try these steps:
- Start by making sure they are happy having their paws handled with lots of praise and rewards.
- You can then progress to showing them the grinder, allowing them to sniff it. Next, start touching it against their paws, while still turned off, rewarding them for remaining relaxed
- You may also want to show them the tool turned on so that they can hear what it sounds like. "This process may take several weeks for some anxious pets," says Dr Rebecca MacMillan.
- Find a quiet time, when you aren't rushed, and grind each nail for a few seconds at a time. Also, be sure your pet is on a safe, non-slip surface.
"You must stop if your pet is showing any signs of distress. Don’t forget to praise them throughout the process and remember that you can take breaks between claws or spread the process out over several days if you need to," says Dr MacMillan.
Read next: How to cut a dog's nails without clippers
Our staff writer, Alexis, is a digital content specialist and passionate pet advocate with a background in lifestyle journalism. Raised in a lively home filled with cats, dogs, and fish, she channels her lifelong love for animals into creating helpful, research-driven content for pet parents.
She collaborates with veterinary professionals to ensure accuracy and is currently pursuing additional pet care certifications.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Alexis has contributed to major UK and US publications, including Daily Mail, Space.com, and Black Women Rising Magazine.
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2009. She enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation) from Nottingham Trent University in 2021.
She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles since 2009.
She writes on various feline and canine topics for the Veterinary Content Company and a freelance basis, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Megan Milstead.
We regularly review our buying guides to ensure the products are relevant, available, and up to date. This page was last updated in July 2025 by Alexis De Leaver.
