Clippers are quick, and that is the whole problem. One bad angle and you are into the quick, there is blood on the kitchen floor, and your dog remembers it for years afterwards. A grinder takes the nail down gradually instead, filing rather than cutting, so there is never a single moment where it either goes right or goes badly wrong.

A diamond grinding wheel does the work through one of three port sizes, matched to small, medium and large nails, and the port itself limits how much nail can reach the wheel at once. The motor is built for low noise and low vibration, which is often the difference between a pet who tolerates grooming and one who bolts at the sound. An LED lights the nail, and it charges over USB so nothing trails while you work.

• Diamond-bit grinding wheel
• Three port sizes for small, medium and large breeds
• Low-noise, low-vibration motor
• Built-in LED to help you see the quick
• USB rechargeable and cordless in use
• Leaves a smooth, snag-free finish
• Suits both cats and dogs

It is slower than clippers, and that is the point. Expect a couple of minutes per paw, and expect the first few sessions to be about getting your pet used to the sound rather than actually shortening anything. Take a little off at a time. On dark nails, where the quick is not visible, stop as soon as a small pale circle appears in the centre.

Who it's for: Anyone who has drawn blood with clippers once and never wants to again, and nervous cats and dogs who need nail care taken slowly.