Let’s Talk About: PediPaws
Every time we see PediPaws in the store, my husband tries to buy it. I say no. Here’s why: I have not yet read any reviews about it.
Basically, PediPaws is a batter-operated nail grooming device that is an alternative to cutting. It’s similar to a large sander or nail file that files your pet’s nails down. Ladies — it’s like that device that sands down your acrylic nails at the salon.
The downside seems to me that it might be hard to get your pet to stay still long enough to get the job done. Most dogs, in my experience, hate having their nails clipped. However, on the upside, if you’ve ever clipped your dog’s quick and had a bleed-out, it’s a very scary situation. PediPaws will likely eliminate the possibility of accidentally cutting the quick.
Would you use PediPaws? Have any of you used this gadget on your dog, and what was your experience?
There are TONS of reviews on Amazon – most of them very negative. I bought one but returned it based on the sum total of what I read there (not very powerful, very loud so freaks dog out more than trying to clip, etc.) Sounds like a great product but, from what I deduced, does not deliver what it promises.
Yes, I was most afraid that my dog would freak out, too. They already hate getting their nails clipped, so having them sit still in order to perform manicuring with an electric tool seemed even more daunting, not to mention frustrating.
But, I figured maybe there are people out there who love it. Thanks for sharing your opinion!
I bought one. It wasn’t all that effective because, as noted, it’s not all that powerful.
However, it gave us the idea to just buy a regular Dremel, which we did, and that works much better. It’s quieter and quicker and my dog got used to it.
I have the PediPaws and YES my dog freaks out (2 year Boston Terrier), but I usually clip his nails THEN use the Pedipaws to file down the sharp points that clipping creates. He’s an indoor dog so he doesn’t get outside on the pavement enough to file them down. I also do not use the little orange safety cover that is included. I take it off before I use the device so get a closer file. It does a great job if you know how to use it correctly, but the commercials are entirely misleading. Dogs do hate the device! It’s loud.
My dog even knows what it is. If he sees me pull it out, he tries to hide behind the couch. I hate having to use it on him, but it really does a good job and doesn’t take long since I’m just filing off the sharp tips that clipping leaves behind. He always gets a treat afterwards!
My friends bought it for their 4 dogs and I borrowed it for my 2 and they all HATE it. It takes too long and they don’t like the grinding and vibrations from it. TOTALLY not an effective tool. I am now back to using a properly sharpened clipper and course nail file. They don’t mind the traditional method and will keep still for it.
i have not used pedipaws, but we do use a dremmel on our two bulldogs. a while back they were rough-housing with each other and one of the dogs broke her nail and it wouldn’t stop bleeding. being new dog owners, we took her to the vet to have it fixed because we didn’t know what to do. ever since then (a couple of years now) she REFUSES to let us trim her nails with a clipper. we took her to the ‘spaw’ to see if they could do any better, and we saw that they had used a dremmel. i happened to have one laying around from my architecture student college days, so that gave us the idea to use that. the first couple of times they didn’t like it, but now, after a few uses, they are used to the noise and if one of us rubs their belly, the other one files their nails down without a problem.
A friend of ours gave one because it’s not effective on their dogs very large, thick nails, but might work better on our Boston Terrier. Our dog hates getting her nails trimmed and will snap during the process of clipping. However, she tolerates the PediPaws much better. I set her on the counter standing, and (I know this sounds crazy) but we pet her, massage her, touch her feet, and run the PediPaws a few times before taking it to her nails. Mainly because she starts to stress out immediately and I want to relax her as much as possible and understand that it won’t hurt her.
We start on her back paws first because she can’t see them and is less sensitive about them. The front paws are harder, but we try to do as much as we can. Sometimes this means two sessions on different days. We also don’t use the orange safety cover because it is easier to maneuver without it and because her nails are tiny and don’t reach down far enough past the cap. Since her nails are small and clear, it’s definitely easier to clip her nails all around. And while it does take some time, it’s better than not clipping at all (she’s an indoor dog). I wouldn’t recommend it for larger dogs, that would definitely take forever.
Our vet actually told us to NOT buy the inferior Pedi Paws product and instead invest more money into the Dremel nail grinder. http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3312954
And she showed us how to use it on our Frenchie Clyde and blow through your mouth at the same time so you’re not breathing in the toe nail dust. Haha.
He’s a little squirmy at first but when dad holds him on his side and mom does the grinding, Clyde doesn’t mind at all. Both parents touching him and telling him he’s a
good boy’ at the same time?! YES PLEASE!
Of course, this is also the dog that jumps right into my lap to have his huge bat ears cleaned out. It’s relaxing to him.
So yes, we’ve had a very good experience with the Dremel product and have saved a ton of money in the past 6 months when you consider how much nail cutting at the groomers cost ($18!) and that I give Clyde a pawdicure every two weeks.
My in-laws gave us one when we got our dog as a puppy. She’s very skittish about having her nails touched/clipped to begin with and the sound from this especially bothered her. She wouldn’t even come near it.
Wow thank you everyone for offering your insights. It looks like the Dremel might be a better option if you’re interested in filing rather than clipping. Interesting. I would never have thought of that. Looks like it might be a future “Double Duty” post!
i use it and it works fine. my frenchie hated getting her nails cut and while she doesnt love the pedi paw, its way better than how she reacts to the nail clipper. it is an improvement.
@erin: We had a similar incident with Lulu. She flinched and we cut her quick but couldn’t stop the bleeding, so we had to take her to the vet. Since then, she’s been very skittish when getting her nails cut. We have to practically sit on her!
even I would be scared of it.
When Pedipaws first came out I didn’t think that it was really that great. I’m sure that Jersey would freak out at the loud noise that the grinder makes. I do have one friend who has a Golden that sits still and has no problems with the Pedipaws.
If you want a nail grinder, get a Dremmel.
I have the original green one, and don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have it. I once cut the quick by mistake on my chihuahua’s nail when he was a pup, he yelped, and the blood literally squirted 2 feet out of his poor little nail. Traumatizing experience.
I followed Pedipaw’s instructions about associating it with treats, and like all things that I do to get my dog to do what I want, I do one nail, give him a little piece of jerky or dried liver (his favorites), then do the next one, etc, etc. And then I give him a full sized treat when he’s all done.
It’s fast, and I do a little at a time, but often. It keeps the nails short, smooth, and most importantly, his toes and legs aligned properly so that he doesn’t end up with joint problems. I take the cover off too, like some others mentioned.
I agree that it may not work for a bigger dog, but I know that my dog is a total scaredy-cat and has a low tolerance for discomfort (basically like all Chihuahuas), and so I think it’s up there with Nature’s Miracle and Furminator as far as a must-have pet product is concerned.
My husband purchased this a few months ago. It’s a good concept, as my parents used to use a Dremel to file down our dog’s nails in the past. So this is an ok alternative. But our little nugget cannot sit still long enough to even get one nail done… even with treats!
Yes, I do recommend Pedi Paws.
My dog hates having his toe nails clipped so much that several people need to hold him down.
I can use Pedi Paws on him on my own with minimal fuss.
It’s a big relief…
and a time saver since clipping means having to take him to a pet store.
I know this post is old but I want to put in my opinion anyway. I don’t know about the PediPaws but I have the Peticure (same thing pretty much) and I have had no problem having two dogs with entirely different temperaments let me do all their nails by myself. Its just a matter of calmly letting them know its going to be done, period. It came with directions on how to get them used to it, you do it in steps just like crate training. Now when I trim either of our dogs’ nails they fall asleep halfway through. And of course it helps to do it at a time when they are more relaxed already, like right before bed. I am sure there are some dogs out there that wouldn’t tolerate it but I think with time and patience most dogs would and it definitely is safer and leaves a smoother edge than traditional clippers.
I have a Jack Russel/Beagle mix and he didn’t care much about the PediPaws. He isn’t a huge fan of having his paws touched but he would lay still and just wonder what I need his feet for.
My only issue with this item and the reason I stopped using it even though I still have it, is that like others have said it is not powerful enough to make this a quick and easy process like advertised.
The filing is slow and also you have to be mindful of heat from the friction. It took me forever just to do one foot.
I have considered just getting a regular dremel and using that since it would be quieter and faster.
I love Pedi-Paws. I use it for my two rescued Italian Greyhounds. My 7 yr. old boy doesn’t love it, but will sit still. My 11 yr. old female hates it, but will usually let me get through with a few intermissions.
Useless product.
Don’t buy it period.