Best Dog Nail Clippers: 10 Precise and First-rate Trimmers
Dog nail clipper is the equipment used to cut or trim the claws of your pet at home, saving the cost of visiting a groomer every time. Overgrown sharp nails of your pet might hurt their pads while walking, further causing infection. Well-groomed claws will require systematic cutting technique and best dog nail clippers, which are durable, cut precisely, are easy to use and don’t hurt your pet in any way. If not taken care of regularly, these nails might also result in sore skin if they scratch the body.
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I. Best Dog Nail Clippers Comparison Table
Product Name | Image | Our Rating | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmer |  | 4.8 | Editor's Choice |
Dog Nail Clippers with Quick Sensor |  | 4.8 | |
Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer By Boshel® |  | 4.8 | |
Dremel 7300-PT 4.8V Pet Nail Grooming Tool |  | 4.7 | |
Epica Pet Nail Clipper |  | 4.7 | |
Simply Pets Online Dog Nail Cutters |  | 4.7 | |
GoPets Nail Clippers for Dogs & Cats with Nail File |  | 4.6 | |
RollinPets Nail Pet Clipper |  | 4.6 | |
Trim-Pet Professional Dog Nail Clippers |  | 4.5 | |
Resco Original Professional Dog and Cat Nail |  | 4.5 |
II. How to Choose Best Dog Nail Clippers?
There are quite a lot of different brands and styles of dog nail clippers on the market and they can vary quite considerably in price. Here are the basic features that we would expect to see in the best pet nail clippers.
1. Stainless steel blades
The first thing to look for in the best pet nail clippers is stainless still blades, because they are easy to clean, they are precise, and they will stay sharp for a long time.
2. Safety stop
A safety stop is a very simple metal bar that prevents you cutting too far down your pet’s claw. That’s important, because if you cut too far down, you will cut into the quick, which will cause your pet pain and the nail will bleed.
3. Size
Be sure that you buy pet nail clippers that are designed for the size of your pet. If your nail clippers are too large, you will be more likely to cut into the quick and, if they are too small, they may not be strong enough to cut through the thick nails of a large pet.
4. The handles
It’s also a good idea to check that handles are ergonomically designed. The best pet nail clippers have handles that are designed to be easy and comfortable to hold and they are usually covered with a soft rubber coating for grip and for comfort.
The very crucial factor to consider before buying any dog nail clipper is the breed of your pet, one that fulfils their well-groomed health and lifestyle needs. Or else, the unsuitable type of nail trimmer might hurt or crush the claws.
Look for the clippers that make very low noise, to make your pet comfortable with the cutting process. Consider the size of your hands and the grip features provided in the products, for a comfortable and easy cutting experience.
Lastly, you have to know what type of nail clipper will be most suitable for your breed of dog. Following are some different styles of dog nail clippers available in the market.
III. Different Types of Dog Nail Clippers:
1. Plier-style Dog Nail Clipper:
A plier style of nail trimmers look just like a pair of pliers. It has two spring loaded handles at the bottom to hold while cutting. At the top, it has notched blades that are sharp and sturdily built for durability. Plier-style dog nail clippers are generally suitable for the large breed of dogs having quite thick nails. Operating them is very easy, place the nails in the notched blades and clip off the claws carefully.
2. Guillotine-style Dog Nail Clipper:
This type of nail clipper has a round hole designed with the blade at the top section. You need to insert the dog’s nail into this hole and clutch down the handle for trimming mechanism, the blade will slide through the hole, cutting the nail.
Such type of clippers quickly cut the claws with very minimum pressure required for its operation. But, the blades need to be sharpened time-to-time for painless grooming of your pet. It is most suitable for the small dog breeds.
Such type of clippers is not recommended for the large-sized dogs, as it will need a lot a pressure to cut their thick nails, might end up crushing them. Also, the blades might wear away after repeated use, needs timely maintenance.
3. Scissor-style Dog Nail Clipper:
Looking just like a pair of scissors, these scissor-style dog nail clippers have cutting mechanism similar to the plier-style clippers. The blades integrated in these types of clippers are very sharp and robust for high durability and precise cuts. They might not be that comfortable for very small-sized dog breeds. Scissor-style clippers are very easy to use and have less chances of hurting your pet.
4. Grinding Tool:
As the name suggests, this type of grooming tool grinds the nails off, similar to filing process. It is the simplest method of nail trimming amongst all. Some of them are integrated with safety grinding distance to avoid very deep grind of the claws. Whereas some other grinders demand careful attention of the user while grinding. Also, due to grinding process, this type of trimmer makes most noise as compared to the others mentioned.
IV. How to Use Them?
Dogs and cats need their nails clipped, because many of our pets live indoors where there are soft carpets and they exercise on soft ground, so their nails don’t get worn down and they can become too long.
If your pet’s nails get too long, it will cause them pain and, in extreme cases, it can lead to them walking awkwardly which will put strain on their joints and that could lead to arthritis.
Many people take their pets to a vet to have their nails clipped, but you can do it yourself if you have the right tools. It is important that you use the right type of clippers for the job, but pet nail clippers and pet nail grinders are readily available relatively inexpensive.
Using good quality pet nail clippers and pet nail grinders will ensure that you can trim your pet’s nails without causing your pet any pain and distress and it will save you the cost of a regular visit to the vet.
The Steps for Using Dog Nail Clippers to Trim Your Dog's Nails
The best way to make clipping a dog’s nails easy is to make it fun for your pet. Make a fuss of your dog, give him some treats, and that will help to distract him and keep him calm.
1. Lay your dog down on his side and beside him
The best position for clipping a dog’s nails is to have your dog lying on his side, with you sitting beside him. That will give you a clear view of the nails and, if your dog pulls his paw away, you will be less likely to damage the nails that you were clipping at the time.
2. Hold the paw in the palm of your hand
Hold the dog’s paw in the palm of your hand with your hand facing the same way as the paw. Wrap your fingers around the pads and hold the paw gently but firmly.
3. Start by tipping the nails
Start by clipping just a small shaving off the top of the nail and then work your way down slowly until you see an oval shape in the claw, which means that you are getting close to the quick.
4. What to do if you cut into the quick
If you do accidentally cut into the quick, reassure your dog and try to keep him calm. You can stem the bleeding by applying some styptic powder to the wound.
It is always a great idea to trim your pet’s nails after it has a bath. This will make the nails softer and easier to cut. Once your pet is all dry and ready, take your trimming tools. Make sure the blades are very sharp and of high quality, to avoid the crushing of claws in any way.
At start, hold the claws of your pet, softly and firmly. Practice a few times to hold the clipper in right position of cutting. Clip the area that is most inconspicuous and go for tiny precise cuts. Later, when you gain some confidence, you can go for large precise cuts. Taking baby steps will prevent you from cutting the claws too short or deep, or hurting the quick that often leads to bleeding. If you feel unsure about the trimming process, you can always ask professional groomers or vets to explain you the whole process thoroughly, to avoid any sort of inconvenience.
Make sure you regularly perform grooming of your pets, so that they can get used to the whole process of trimming and might actually enjoy it consequently.
V. Benefits of Timely Using Dog Nail Clippers
- Clipping off the claws once a month prevents the long nails from puncturing the dog’s pads
- Often trimming of nails encourages their healthy lifestyle
- As you trim more often, you might eventually become more experienced and skilled, saving money of visiting a professional groomer
- When they scratch their bodies with overgrown nails, it causes sore skin, regular trimming might prevent this condition
- Treating them after cutting their claws might train them to be more comfortable, they will enjoy other grooming procedures as well
- Praising and encouraging pets during the cutting process helps develop special bond between the owner and your pet
VI. Prerequisites of Using Dog Nail Clippers
If not taken proper care and systematic approach, you might trim into the quick of your pet. It is a very delicatepink-coloured part of their claws, comprising of blood vessels and nerves. Such condition often leads to bleeding and your pet might not cooperate the next time you try clipping their nails. Take immediate measures to stop the bleeding, if you happen to clip off the quick.
If you have a small-sized dog breeds, make sure to trim with detailed care. Their nails are very small and thin, if it causes bleeding in any way due to the deep cut, they might not be able to bear the pain. In such circumstances, go for very small and slow cuts.
**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
VII. Detailed Review of 10 Best Dog Nail Clippers Available:
1. Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmer
Our pick for the best dog nail clippers overall has to be the Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmer, which is a well-made, high quality pair of dog nail clippers that are ideal for use on mediums sized and large dogs.
Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmers are very sharp stainless steel dog nail clippers that have the safety feature of a safety stop and they have ergonomically designed and comfortable to hold rubber coated handles.
We like these clippers because they are lightweight and easy to use. The safety stop guard does its job, but you still need be careful when you use any dog nail clippers that you don’t clip the nails too short. The Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmers come in two sizes; small-medium and large, but you’d only need the large clippers for a very large dog.
We found clipping a dog’s nails very quick and easy with the Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmers and that’s always a benefit if you are clipping an impatient or nervous dog’s nails. These are definitely one of the best dog nail clippers on the market at the moment.
Pros
- Comfortable rubber coated handles
- Sharp stainless steel blades
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Safety stop to prevent injury
- Precise cutting action
Cons
- Some people say that these clippers make a loud noise, but we didn’t notice it
- The handles may be a bit too small for you if you have very large hands
2. Dog Nail Clippers with Quick Sensor
OmegaPet offers this Professional Dog nail trimmer that is made from sharp stainless steel, making it highly durable. Designed in large and medium sizes for suitability, this clipper can precisely cut nails using just little pressure. It can be used for medium and large breeds/sizes of dogs. A safety guard provided ensures worry-free trimming of claws without being afraid of hurting the ‘Quick’ area, which often leads to bleeding.
Ergonomically designed extra-long handles ensure easy grip and cutting experience for pet parents. The strong rubber grip on the handles allow firmness and non-slip grasp while you cut. The product also includes a nail file for smooth filing of the claws after the cutting has been done. This file can be stored in the handle itself to prevent it from getting lost.
Pros
- Sharp blades made from stainless steel allows quick and precise cutting.
- Safety Lock Technology ensures safe cutting.
- Ergonomic design of handle allows firm and non-slip cutting.
Cons
- Might not be suitable for very small-sized dogs
Boshel nail clipper iseasy-to-use professional grooming equipment for dogs. It has a safety stop provided that works as a Quick sensor, to protect you from over-cutting the claws or hurting the ‘quick’ of the dogs. High quality and sturdy, razor sharp stainless steel blades with 3.5mm of thickness deliver precise cut in the first go without crushing the nails.
The ergonomically designed robust handles offer firm grip for easy cutting experience without slipping. It has been designed for large and medium-sized dogs as well as cats. Also, it is recommended by veterinarians, professional pet groomers as well as dog trainers. As a bonus, it comes with a nail file for smooth filing of nails after cutting and it can be stored in the handle.
Pros
- Has a safety guard to prevent from deep cutting
- Easy-to-use tool with ergonomically designed non-slip handles
- Heavy-duty stainless steel sharp blades cut precisely in one go
Cons
- Might be uncomfortable for small breeds of dogs
4. Dremel 7300-PT 4.8V Pet Nail Grooming Tool
The Dremel 7300-PT 4.8V Pet Nail Grooming Tool is a neat little cordless pet nail grinder that we have selected as our best dog nail grinding tool that will provide a safe and effective alternative to pet nail clippers.
This best pet nail grinder features two speeds of rotation, so you can grind nails in stages, and it is compatible with a whole range of different Dremel sanding drums and bands that can be purchased separately.
The motor on the Dremel 7300-PT 4.8V Pet Nail Grooming Tool is fairly quiet, so it shouldn’t bother most pets, but some pets might be a bit wary the sound it makes. The grinder was easy to use too, and it fits quite comfortably into the palm of your hand. Like all dog nail grinders, be careful if your dog has long hair, because the hair can get caught up in the spinning head.
The Dremel 7300-PT 4.8V Pet Nail Grooming Tool is a well-designed pet nail grinder that we think deserves to be called the best overall pet nail grooming tool on the market at the moment.
Pros
- Cordless with good battery life
- Easy to control
- Two rotation speeds
- Leave nails nice and smooth
- Easier to get the length right than it is with clippers
Cons
- Head can get hot if used for too long
- Instructions could be better
5. Epica Pet Nail Clipper
Made out of high-quality stainless steel, Epica Pet Nail Clippers are one of the best professional dog nail clippers for medium and large dogs.
The clippers are easy use and the sharp stainless steel blades give a very precise cut. We found that the cut was very clean too,so we didn’t need to file the dog’s nails too much after cutting, which you do need to after clipping with some pet nail clippers.
The handles are covered in rubber for comfort and they are easy to hold. Like all the best pet nail clippers, the Epica Pet Nail Clippers have a locking mechanism that will keep the blades closed when they are not in use.
What we also liked about these nail clippers was that you don’t need to exert a lot of pressure to clip a pet’s nails. That’s both easier on your hands and it makes accurate clipping a lot easier too. The way that the Epica Pet Nail Clippers have been designed makes it easy to see what you are doing, which means you are less likely to cut into the quick.
The Epica Pet Nail Clippers are sturdy, well designed, and they will provide an easy and accurate tool for trimming your pet’s nails.
Pros
- Comfortable to use
- Sharp, accurate blade
- Cuts with minimal pressure
- You can see what you are doing
- Effective safety guard to avoid injury
Cons
- Clippers may need tightening from time to time
- The blades locked a couple of times when we were using the clippers
6. Simply Pets Online Dog Nail Cutters
Often used by vets, the Simply Pets Online Dog Nail Cutters are pet nail cutters that are easy and safe to use and they are very high quality too.
The blades are long lasting stainless steel and they are sharp. The handles are rubber coated and they give a comfortable and firm grip. These pet nail trimmers also have a safety guard that will help prevent cutting into a pets quick.
We were able to cut through some pretty thick nails with these clippers and they went through in one easy snip. They didn’t leave any rough edges and they didn’t crush the nails like some pet nail clippers do. You also get a lifetime guarantee with these clippers and that’s not something that you get with every pet product.
We think that the Simply Pets Online Dog Nail Cutters are a great quality pet grooming products and we are more than happy to include them in our best dog nail clippers reviews.
Pros
- Very sharp
- Comfortable and easy to hold
- Easily cutsthrough tough nails
- Lifetime guarantee
- Safety guard to prevent injury
Cons
- They make quite a loud click when they close
7. GoPets Nail Clippers for Dogs & Cats with Nail File
Next in our pet nail clippers reviews are the GoPets Nail Clippers for Dogs & Cats with Nail File. These pet nail clippers come in a choice of sizes. The large clippers will be good for medium to large dogs and cats and the mall clippers would suit small breeds.
The GoPets Nail Clippers for Dogs & Cats with Nail File feature a safety stop guard to stop you cutting into the quick and the blades are angled, to make it easier to see what you are doing. The clippers were comfortable to hold, although not the most comfortable of all the brands we reviewed. You can get nice clean cut with these clippers. This model also has locking blades to prevent any injury when the clippers are not in use.
The blades are stainless steel, which means that they should stay sharp for a long time, and the manufacture offers a lifetime guarantee.
One feature that did stand out on the GoPets Nail Clippers for Dogs & Cats with Nail File was the accuracy of the safety stop guard, which was much more precise than some of the clippers that we tested.
We also like the fact that GoPets donates a portion of their profit to animal charities and animal rescue centres, so full marks to GoPets for that.
Pros
- Good, clean cutting action
- Accurate safety guard
- Ergonomic handles
- Good quality pet nail clippers
Cons
- A bit too bulky for very small pets
- The handle covering could be improved
Madefrom stainless steel, this Dog Nail Clipper from RollinPets has heavy-duty razor sharp blades with 3.5 mm of thickness for quick and precise cutting in one stroke, without crushing the claws of dogs. It has a Safety stop integrated with the sharp blades to prevent you from over-cutting the claws or hurting the ‘quick’ of your pet. It is a plier style of nail clipper, having the capability of cutting thick claws of large dog breeds with precision and ease.
Ergonomically designed rubber-coated handles provide firm and comfortable grip while cutting, without any slip. It has a locking mechanism equipped to lock the blades in place to prevent any type of harm to you or your pet while cutting. The product comes all-included with a rubber brush to spread the shampoo or massage your pet and a bag for storage.
Pros
- Heavy-duty sharp blades cuts smoothly, nails do not need filing later.
- Stainless steel construction offer high durability.
- Safety stop and lock mechanism ensures secure cutting.
- Bag and a massage brush provided, is certainly a bonus
Cons
- Might need more pressure for cutting smoothly
Trim-Pet Professional Dog nail clipper is a grooming tool, ideal for small, medium as well as large breeds of dogs. It has razor sharp blades made from stainless steel, certainly built for high durability. Safety guard has been integrated with the blades, so that the over-cutting or deep ‘quick’ cutting might be avoided. The ergonomically designed handles offer firm and comfortable grip while you cut, without any sort of slipping.
The sharp cutting blades are built via heat treated Tempering process to provide an easy and highly precise cut in just one attempt. For an added bonus, the product comes with a nail file to smoothen the edges of nails just after cutting. Trim-Pet offers Lifetime Money back guarantee if you are, in any way, unsatisfied with the purchase of this product. Clipper has been loaded with anti-pinch telescoping spring guard to protectusers’ hands while cutting.
Pros
- Over-sized handles for comfortable grip, preventing hand fatigue.
- Sturdy conical spring, smoothly actuates and quickly returns for next cut.
- High quality Stainless steel razor sharp blades give precise cuts.
Cons
- Overpriced.
- Might be not suitable for very giant dog breeds having thick nails.
First Guillotine-style dog nail clipper from the list is this one from Resco, made in USA. It has been integrated with a patented blade replacement technology, so that you don’t have to invest in a new clipper every time the blades lose their sharpness. You can simply replace the blades and continue to use it, therefore saving cost. Finest quality of chrome plating over the clipper makes it highly durable, comfortable and sleek-looking.
The clipper is constructed from heavy-duty stainless steel for durability. This product is backed with an impressive Lifetime Warranty for users’ best after-sales experience. With its micro-honed cutting blades, the claws can be cut precisely in just one swoop. It is designed in 3 sizes, Regular size for small and medium-sized dog breeds, usually around 10 to 50 pounds of weight; tiny size for very small dog breeds/cats, whereas large size clipper is for 50+ pounds of dog breeds.
Pros
- Clinical-grade stainless steel made clipper, offers accurate cut.
- Replaceable blades, saving a lot of cost for a new trimmer.
- Impressive Lifetime warranty period.
Cons
- Might not be suitable for very giant-sized dog breeds.
- Blades might lack sharpness.
VIII. How Often Should You Clip Your Dog's Nails?
How often you should cut your dog’s nails will depend on the breed and on how often they are exercised on hard pavements. As a general guide, most family pets will need to have their nails clipped once every four weeks or so. If a dog’s nails have got very long, you should not try to cut them back all in one go, do it several stages.
IX. Which Dog Nail Clipper Would be an Ideal Purchase?
Taking into consideration all the above mentioned features, personally, I think the best dog nail clipper would be from Safari. With its sturdy stainless steel design, Safari Dog nail clipper certainly promises high durability and easy-to-use mechanism.
The Safety stop provided acts as a Quick sensor to protect you from deeply cutting the claws or hurting the quick. The exclusive Razor sharp stainless steel blades with 3.5mm of thickness can cut precisely in just one go, without crushing the claws. One aspect that makes it stand out from all the other mentioned nail clippers is its ergonomically designed heavy-duty handles. These non-slip handles provide very firm and comfortable grip, suitable for even big hands.
Also, it has been recommended by the veterinarians, professional pet groomers as well as pet trainers. As an added benefit, it comes with a nail file that can be stored into the handle itself. You can file the claws after trimming them for a smooth look.
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