Regular grooming is an important part of caring for any animal and your canine companion is no exception. However, grooming your dog is about more than just washing and brushing their coat, it also entails regularly trimming their nails. If your dog's nails get too long it can make walking uncomfortable for them. The nails can also get caught in your flooring, damaging the flooring and potentially harming your dog. One way to keep on top of your dog's nails is to invest in dog nail clippers. However, with so many different makes and types of dog nail clippers on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start. Our panel of dog loving pet experts has devised a list of the best dog nail clippers to point you in the right direction.
The Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmer is specifically created to trim and maintain dog nails. The clippers are made from stainless steel and designed to allow you to trim each nail in one stroke, reducing the stress on your dog. The design includes a safety stop to prevent injury and a soft comfort grip handle, making them easier to use. The trimmer is available in two sizes to suit every size of dog nail.
The Epica #1 Best Professional Pet Nail Clipper is designed to provide precise, easy nail cutting that does not cause your dog stress or discomfort. The blades are created from high-grade stainless steel and offer long-lasting sharpness. The clippers are available in two sizes to meet the needs of all sizes and breeds of dog. The clippers have rubber-coated handles to provide you with a firm and comfortable grip while trimming. The unit also has a safety edge to aid you in taking off the right amount of nail and it locks closed when not in use to prevent accidents.
The Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer by Boshel offer razor sharp cutting blades and sturdy non-slip handles. The clippers are ergonomically designed, making them comfortable and easy to use. The 3.5mm thick stainless steel provides a clean cut every time while the safety stop prevents you from cutting too far down the nail. A nail file is included in the handle of the clippers making it easy for you to deal with any sharp edges or loose bits of the nail. The clipper lock closed when not in use to prevent accidents.
The Professional Dog Nail Clippers by Pet Republique can be purchased with an optional filer that helps you deal with sharp edges and corners after you have trimmed your dog's nails. The clippers themselves are available in three different sizes to meet the needs of different pets, as well as different dog breeds and sizes. The blades are made from thick stainless steel and are designed to be strong and long-lasting.
The ergonomic design includes a spring action for effortless cutting and non-slip handles to provide a safer cutting motion and more comfortable handling. The blade is angled to help you achieve the best possible cutting position and includes a blade stop to reduce the risk of you cutting into the quick. The unit also includes a lock to keep the clippers safely closed when not in use.
The heavy-duty Quality Nail Clipper by Millers Forge features sharp stainless steel cutting blades for stress-free and easy nail trimming. Made in Italy the clipper has a simple, yet effective, design. It is designed to work best with dogs weighing over 40lbs and has a spring action for effortless cutting.
Designed specifically for small pets, including puppies and small breed dogs, the Pet Nail Clippers for Small Animals by Shiny Pets features razor sharp stainless steel blades. The blades are angled and shaped to aid cutting and reduce stress on your pet. The ergonomically designed handle is made from 100% recycled plastic and has a stress-free finish for comfort and safety.
Trim Pet Nail Clippers include heat treated tempered stainless steel blades. This creates a razor-sharp cutting edge that lasts longer than other blades. The ergonomically designed oversized handles offer a comfortable grip and prevent hand fatigue, while the extra strong conical spring gives a smooth action and quick return. The clippers are designed to work with nails of all sizes and thicknesses.
The Resco Original Deluxe Dog and Cat Clippers are a guillotine style trimmer that comes in two different sizes. The blades on the guillotine trimmer are replaceable, increasing the lifespan of the clippers. The handles have a premium powder coating for comfort, performance, and style.
If you are looking for a guillotine-style nail trimmer for your dog, then the Pettom Pet Stainless Steel Dog Cat Nail Toe Claw Clippers could be just what you are looking for. The clippers are ergonomically designed to make them more comfortable to use and to reduce the risk of accidents when trimming your dog's nails. The clippers include a safety guard to stop you cutting away too much nail at any one time. The clippers have a spring operation that makes cutting easier and is suitable for all size and thickness of nails.
The Poodle Pet Nail Trimmer is a scissor style trimmer with shaped stainless steel blades. They are designed to trim the nails of smaller animals including puppies and lapdogs. The durable trimmers include textured anti-slip grips on the handles to prevent slipping and reduce the risk of injury while cutting your dog's nails. A quick sensor safety guard is also included to minimize the risk of over cutting nails.
Knowing the basics about the best dog nail clippers that are available is only part of the solution to finding the best trimmers for your dog's nails. It is also important to know what to look for in dog nail clippers, why you need to invest in them, and the different types of clippers that are available. In this section of the buying guide, we explore each of these elements, as well as comparing clippers to nail grinders and answering some of the most frequently asked questions about dog nail clippers.
Blade material – stainless steel is the best option as it is durable, hardwearing, and sharp. This means smoother and less stressful cutting for your dog and less risk of you injuring your dog through crushing the nail.
Blade shape – The best clippers for dog nail trimming have shaped blades to improve the cutting action of the unit and make the process easier for you and your dog.
Cutting guard – A cutting guard reduces the risk of you cutting too far down the nail and into the quick. Cutting the quick can be painful for your dog and can increase their stress levels for future grooming sessions. A guard can take many forms including a thicker base to the cutting blades.
Ergonomic handles – Handle design and material is important as it can affect how easily you manage to cut your dog's nails and how likely your hand is to cramp or slip during a grooming session. Rubberized handles reduce slipping as do handles that have non-slip grooves.
Hand usage – The hand you use to groom or clip your dog may affect the type of clippers you choose. The position of the blade will be different, especially with scissor-style clippers, if you use your left hand rather than your right. While this does not discount this style of the clipper, it does mean looking for clippers that can be used just as easily in either hand or considering the positioning of your dog during grooming sessions.
Locking guard – The blades on dog toenail clippers are very sharp. A locking guard helps you safely store the clippers in a closed position, reducing the risk of accident or injury when they are not in use.
Why Do You Need the Best Dog Nail Clippers?
Nail clipping is an essential part of dog grooming. Long nails can cause your dog discomfort and over the long term can even cause pain and injury. However, nail trimming can also be a stressful activity for some dogs. The best way to reduce your dog's stress is to ensure a pain-free trimming session and the best way to do this is with the best dog nail clippers. The best dog claw clippers fit your dog's nails perfectly, ensuring that each nail can be trimmed in one easy movement. The blades are sharp, so they cut rather than crushing the nail. This reduces pressure on the nail and preventing sharp edges and broken pieces of the nail that need further trimming or filing. They are also comfortable for you to hold, which reduces the risk of them slipping and injuring either you or your dog during the nail trimming process.
Professional dog nail clippers come in a wide range of styles, however, they can all be placed into one of two basic categories – scissors or guillotine clippers. There are benefits to both these types of pet nail clippers.
Basic scissor style dog nail clippers look just like a pair of scissors and use the same cutting action to trim your dog's nails. They tend to have curved blades to help you apply even pressure as you cut through the nail, giving you a smoother finish and helping to prevent the nail from being crushed. The best scissor style dog nail clippers also have a spring action. This reduces the effort you need to apply to cut through the nail, creating a smoother movement and a quicker return to the open position. This makes the trimming session quicker and more effective, particularly on the tougher nails of large breed dogs.
As the name suggests guillotine clippers work by having a blade come down and cut through the nail. To use guillotine clippers effectively, you position your dog's nail in the opening at the end of the clippers and push the top handle down. The blade slices cleanly and quickly through the nail, returning to its home position as you release the top handle. The best guillotine style clippers have a guide incorporated into the underside of the opening, which prevents you from removing too much nail in any single pass of the blade.
Regular nail trimming is essential to prevent injury to your dog and damage to your flooring. However, it is not always the easiest process, especially with dogs that find it difficult to stay still or who have previously had bad experiences with nail trimming. Both nail clippers and grinders are effective methods of trimming your dog's nails. Nail grinders are quick and simple to use and as there are no sharp blades the risk of injury is much less. They also make taking small amounts of nail off much easier, preventing you from accidentally cutting through the quick. However, they are noisy, which can be disturbing of anxious dogs, making it harder to keep them still. They also produce vibrations and heat, which can be unpleasant for dogs and cause some discomfort and pain if not used correctly.
Using nail clippers removes these issues and as long as you purchase the best nail clippers for dogs, they are a pain and stress-free method of nail trimming. There is no noise or vibration to upset your dog and each nail can be cut swiftly in one smooth motion. The best nail clippers have a guide built in which prevents you from removing too much nail in one cut; reducing the risk of cutting through the quick.
Q: How and when should I cut my dog's nails?
A: The best way to judge whether it is time to cut your dog's nails is through listening. If you can hear the nails tapping on the floor as they walk, then they are too long and need trimming. On average dogs need their nails trimmed at least once every two months. It is better to cut small amounts more regularly, especially if your dog's nails are overgrown and have not been trimmed in a long time.
It is important to get to know the anatomy of your dog's nails before you start trimming. This helps you to understand how many nails to remove and the importance of not cutting through the quick. When you are ready, follow these simple steps to achieve a successful trimming session.
Get everything you need ready, including lots of treats.
Find a comfortable position for you and your dog. Check that you can angle the clippers correctly and comfortably.
Ask for your dog's paw and hold it firmly but gently.
Place one nail in the clippers so that you can remove just the tip of the nail. Use the cutting guide to help.
Squeeze the handles and cut through the nail in one quick motion.
Put down the paw, praise and reward your dog before moving onto the next nail.
Q: What to do if I cut my dog's nails too short?
A: If you do cut your dog's nail too short and cut through the quick the first thing to remember is not to panic. If you panic, then so will your dog, this will cause stress and anxiety that will make future trimming sessions much harder.
Stay calm, if you have cut the quick then it will bleed. Put pressure on the end of the nail using a towel or clean cloth to help stop the bleeding. Remember that while it may look like a lot of blood, your dog will suffer no long-term physical effects from a cut quick.
You can also dip the nail in styptic powder to help stop the bleeding. If you don't have this to hand then flour, cornstarch, or even baking soda can be used in the same way. Don't forget to speak calmly to your dog, give them lots of fuss and praise and ensure you are both calm before moving onto the next nail.
Q: What size of clippers should I use?
A: The size clippers you use will depend on the size of your dog, and more specifically the size of their nails. Some clippers are designed to be used on all nail sizes, while others are more specific. Check the packaging carefully and follow the sizing advice that is included by the manufacturer. This is particularly important if you are looking for puppy nail clippers as a bad experience as a puppy can affect your dog for life.
Q: Can I use my own scissors?
A: Using your own scissors to trim your dog's nails is not recommended. Household scissors have straight blades which are likely to crush rather than cut your dog's nail, causing them pain and discomfort. While human nail scissors may have a shape that is close to small dog nail clippers, they are unlikely to be strong or sharp enough to cut through your dog's nails. If they break in the process you risk injury to both you and your dog.
Our top pick for the best nail clippers for your dog is the Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmer. These clippers are specifically created to trim and maintain dog nails. They are made from stainless steel and designed to allow you to trim each nail in one stroke, reducing the stress on your dog. The design includes a safety stop to prevent injury and a soft comfort grip handle, making them easier to use. The trimmer is available in two sizes to suit every size of dog nail and comes with a locking blade to prevent injury when the clippers are not in use.