10 Best Dog Nail Clippers in 2020
That familiar click-clack sound is how you know your dog is approaching.
What you may not realize is that if your dog’s nails are making that much noise, they are probably too long. But that’s not a big deal – or is it?
The truth is that trimming your dog’s nails is an important aspect of caring for his basic needs. Sure, it may not be as essential as a healthy diet and routine vet visits, but nail health is still important for dogs. If your dog’s nails grow too long, they could become painful and it might actually increase his risk for arthritis and other joint problems.
Fortunately, keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is easy – you just need a set of dog nail clippers and a few minutes of your time. Keep reading to learn more about trimming your dog’s nails and to see our reviews for the top 10 best dog nail clippers.
Here are our top 10 picks for the best Dog Nail Clippers:
#10 Pettom Stainless Steel Dog Nail Clippers
For a pair of simple and affordable dog nail clippers, try these Pettom Stainless Steel Dog Nail Clippers. These nail clippers are of the guillotine style and the sharp stainless-steel blade helps to ensure a clean cut each and every time. These clippers are best for medium to large breeds although, with the built-in safety guard, they will help prevent over-trimming with any dog.
These Pettom Stainless Steel Dog Nail Clippers feature a safe and comfortable ergonomic design to help reduce the risk of injury. They feature a rubberized coating on the handle for comfort and security, with a sharp blade for a clean cut. Best of all, they are affordably priced under $10.
Pros: Ergonomic grip handle, stainless-steel blade, easy to use, built-in safety guard, affordable
Cons: Not ideal for small dogs and puppies, thicker nails may require additional force
#9 Simply Pets Online Professional Dog Nail Clippers
If you’re looking for a pair of dog nail clippers that are both practical and comfortable, try these Simply Pets Online Professional Dog Nail Clippers. These clippers are designed for safety first with a protective guard that keeps you from cutting the nail too short by accident. It also comes with a locking mechanism for safety to keep the blades closed. Plus, these clippers are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty as well as a money-back guarantee.
These Simply Pets Online Professional Dog Nail Clippers were created by two veterinarians, so you can be sure of their quality. They feature a premium design that is easy to use as well as nonslip rubber handles for safety and security. The handles are comfortable to use and the clippers as a whole are lightweight and easy to wield. For comfort, affordability, and ease of use try these Simply Pets Online Professional Dog Nail Clippers.
Pros: Designed by veterinarians, ergonomic design for comfort and security, lightweight and easy to use, built-in protective guard, locking mechanism for safety, warranty and guarantee
Cons: Thicker nails may require additional force
#8 PetiCare Illuminated Pet Nail Clippers
If you’re nervous about trimming your dog’s nails, these PetiCare Illuminated Pet Nail Clippers may be a good option. The guillotine style ensures a clean and even cut while the built-in LED light offers illumination to help you see the quick. Both of these features combine to reduce the risk that you might cut your dog’s nails too short.
These PetiCare Illuminated Pet Nail Clippers feature a hardened steel blade while the magnification and nail trapper features magnify the field of vision by 5 times. These clippers are ergonomically designed for comfort while the spring-loaded action makes it easy to cut through even thick nails. Not only are these clippers designed for durability, but the blades are replaceable as well so you can simply insert a new blade when one wears out.
Pros: LED light illuminates the field, 5x magnification and nail catcher, spring-loaded action for extra leverage, comfort grip handle, hardened steel blade can be replaced
Cons: Blades may wear out over time, batteries will need to be replaced
#7 Boshel Dog Nail Clippers with Safety Guard
For a set of dog nail clippers recommended by the professionals for quality, try these Boshel Dog Nail Clippers with Safety Guard. These spring-loaded dog nail clippers are ergonomically designed for comfort as well as safety. They make quick work of even thick nails, making them an excellent choice for medium and large breeds. Plus, they are user-friendly with the non-slip grip and ergonomic handles.
These Boshel Dog Nail Clippers with Safety Guard are a great choice for beginners. Not only are they comfortable and easy to use, but they come with a built-in quick-stop guard to prevent you from accidentally trimming your dog’s nails too short. The blades themselves are 3.5mm stainless steel and they are powerful enough to trim your dog’s nails with a single cut.
Pros: 3.5mm stainless-steel blades, ergonomically designed handle for comfort, spring-loaded action, built-in quick-stop guard, recommended by professionals
Cons: May not be ideal for smaller dogs, thick nails may require extra strength
#6 Shiny Pet Nail Clippers
If you have a small dog, regular nail clippers may simply be too much – that’s where these Shiny Pet Nail Clippers come in. These scisscors-style nail clippers are ideal for small dogs and puppies, designed to make a quick and clean cut without crushing the nail. This set of dog nail clippers is also eco-friendly, made with an ergonomic handle constructed from recycled plastic materials.
These Shiny Pet Nail Clippers are highly affordable and easy to use. They feature sharp, stainless-steel blades to ensure a clean cut each time and the handle is covered with a slip-proof coating for safety and security. The stainless-steel blade is hypoallergenic and the entire device is covered by a 100% money back guarantee for your peace of mind.
Pros: Hypoallergenic stainless-steel blade, simple scissors design, ideal for small dogs and puppies, slip-proof coated handle, handle made from recycled plastic, ergonomic grip design
Cons: Not for large or very thick nails, no quick-stop guard
#5 GoPets Nail Clippers
If you’ve never trimmed your dog’s nails before, or if you’re simply concerned about trimming too much at once, these GoPets Nail Clippers are a great option. These are some of the best dog nail clippers for safety because the blades are shop and there is a built-in quick-stop guard. This feature prevents you from trimming off too much of your dog’s nail at once, though you do still need to be careful.
These GoPets Nail Clippers are a little pricier than some models, but they offer excellent quality. From the get-go, these nail clippers are very sharp with 3.5mm thick stainless-steel blades and they have rubber insets for grip and comfort. The handles are also longer than most dog nail clippers which gives you extra leverage for very thick nails.
Pros: Very sharp stainless-steel blades, built-in quick-stop guard, rubber insets for grip and comfort, long handles for leverage, locking mechanism for storage, comes with a nail file
Cons: Extra strength may be needed for thick nails, somewhat expensive
#4 Rescoe Original Deluxe Nail Clippers
The original inventor of the guillotine nail clipper for dogs, Rescoe knows how to make a quality set of dog nail clippers. Thse Rescoe Original Deluxe Nail Clippers are worth their weight in gold because they are easy to use and designed to make a quick, clean cut every time. Plus, with patented blade replacement technology, you can replace the blades as needed instead of buying a new pair.
These Rescoe Original Deluxe Nail Clippers features deluxe grips and a premium powder coating for style as well as comfort. The blade itself is ultra-sharp to ensure a quick and clean cut, plus the spring-loaded action makes quick work of even thicker nails. These clippers are preferred by groomers and vets around the world and covered by a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros: Ultra-sharp replaceable blade, spring-loaded for strength, powder coated for comfort and grip, patented blade replacement technology, clean cuts, lifetime warranty
Cons: Can be tricky for beginners, no quick-guard safety feature, blade may need replacement eventually
#3 Millers Forge Nail Clippers
These Millers Forge Nail Clippers are proof that you don’t need to spend a lot for a high-quality pair of dog nail clippers. These clippers are very simple in design and, while they may not offer a quick-stop guard, they are very easy to use. With spring-loaded stainless-steel blades, these clippers make a clean cut every time. In fact, that is why they are a top choice among groomers and veterinarians. These clippers also feature a locking mechanism for safe storage to keep the blades closed.
Pros: Highly affordable, sharp stainless-steel blades, simple design, locking mechanism for storage, easy to use, spring-loaded design
Cons: No quick-guard safety feature, may require more strength to operate, not ideal for small dogs
#2 Epica Professional Pet Nail Clippers
For a pair of dog nail clippers that offers a precise, clean cut every time consider these Epica Professional Pet Nail Clippers. These nail clippers feature high-grade stainless-steel blades for long-lasting sharpness and excellent precision. Cutting your dog’s nails with dull clippers is just asking for breakage or injury, so you can avoid that with these clippers.
These Epica Professional Pet Nail Clippers come in two sizes for small/medium dogs and medium/large dogs, so you’ll have just the right amount of leverage to create a clean cut. With rubber-coated handles, these clippers are easy and comfortable to use, plus they are backed by a 100% lifetime warranty. You’ll also be glad to know that there is a locking mechanism for safe storage.
Pros: High-grade stainless-steel blades, two sizes for small/medium and medium/large dogs, rubber-coated handles for comfort and grip, clean and precise cuts, long-lasting sharpness, locking mechanism
Cons: May be stiff at first, safety lock might stick, quick-stop guard may need to be tightened
#1 Safari Professional Nail Trimmers
If you’re in the market for a pair of dog nail clippers that works well and is easy to use, try these Safari Professional Nail Trimmers. These clippers are made with fine stainless-steel blades to ensure a sharp, effective cut for even the thickest nails. The handles are large with a rubber coating for comfort as well as a firm grip for safety.
These Safari Professional Nail Trimmers can work well for both large and small hands, and they work for dogs of all breeds and sizes. These trimmers come with a built-in quick-stop guard to prevent you from trimming the nail too short and there is a locking mechanism for safe storage. This set of clippers actually comes in two sizes, so you can choose the one that best suits your dog’s needs.
Pros: Sharp stainless-steel blades, comes in two sizes, built-in quick-stop guard for safety, rubber handles for grip and comfort, locking mechanism for storage
Cons: May be too large for small dogs, thicker nails may require more force
As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to take care of your dog’s needs.
Not only do you need to feed your dog a high-quality and nutritionally balanced diet, but you also need to take care of his health needs – this includes trimming his nails.
Trimming your dog’s nails may not seem like a big deal, but it could become a problem if you neglect this task for a long period of time. Keep reading to learn why it is important to trim your dog’s nails, which tool is best for it, and how to do it.
Why Is It Important to Trim Your Dog’s Nails?
Your dog’s nails may grow at a different rate than another dog’s nails, but it is equally important for all dogs to have their nails trimmed regularly.
But why is it important to keep your dog’s nails trimmed?
The most obvious reason is because most dogs do not wear their nails down naturally – at least not as much as they need to. Your dog spends a lot of time on soft surfaces such as grass and carpet. Even if he has the occasional walk on a concrete sidewalk or asphalt road, it won’t wear his nails down enough to keep them at a healthy level.
The ideal length for your dog’s nails is just above the pads of his feet – short enough that the don’t snag on anything or break under pressure.
Not only can letting your dog’s nails grow too long put them at risk for breakage, but it can actually become painful for your dog. Excessively long nails can hamper your dog’s ability to walk and run normally by rubbing against the ground.
If your dog’s nails are too long, they could curl under his feet and start growing into his pads. They could also force him to alter his gait in a way that contributes to arthritis or other joint problems.
As you can see, keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is very important. You should check his nails at least once a week to make sure they’re not getting too long and, if they are, give them a trim. Keep reading to learn about the different tools you can use to trim your dog’s nails.
What Are the Different Kinds of Dog Nail Clippers?
Dog nail clippers are the most basic tool you can use to trim your dog’s nails. What you may not realize, however, is that there are different types of dog nail clippers.
Here’s a quick overview of the different types:
Scissor Clippers – As you can imagine from the name, this type of dog nail clipper works much like a pair of scissors. These clippers are best for larger dogs whose thick nails need a higher degree of force to cut.
Guillotine Clippers – These clippers work almost like a guillotine – you place the tip of your dog’s nail in the hole then squeeze, lowering the blade to slice off the end. This type of dog nail clippers is best for small and medium-breed dogs.
Nail Grinders – This tool works by grinding down the nail instead of clipping it off. Dog nail grinders are a good option for dogs with large or thick nails, as well as for dogs that don’t like clippers. It’s an easy way to take a little off at once so you don’t go too far.
When it comes to choosing a type of dog nail clipper, use whatever you feel comfortable using. If you’re worried about trimming your dog’s nails too short, choose something with a safety feature. If your dog’s nails are very thick or large, something like a dog nail grinder might be a better option.
If you’ve chosen your nail clippers but you still aren’t sure how to use them, ask your veterinarian or groomer to give you a lesson. After you see it done once or twice, you should be able to replicate the process yourself. The key is to only trim a little at a time, so you don’t accidentally cut too much.
How to Trim Your Dog’s Nails Properly
Now that you understand the different types of dog nail clippers, you’re ready to learn how to use them! Fortunately, it is an easy process but you do need to exercise a certain degree of caution for your own sake as well as your dog’s.
If you’ve never trimmed your dog’s nails before, you may need to get him used to having his feet handled before you try. The last thing you want is for your dog to move, causing you to accidentally cut the nail too short. Spend some time handling your dog’s feet and encourage him with treats so he forms a positive association with this kind of treatment. Once he’s comfortable having his feet handled you can start getting him used to the clippers themselves.
Here is a step-by-step guide for trimming your dog’s nails:
1. Gently pick up your dog’s paw and take a good look at his nails to see if you can identify the quick – if his nails are dark-colored you might not be able to see it.
2. Decide how much of your dog’s nail you want to trim – the ideal length is just above the bottom of his pads, but you don’t want to go so short that you sever the quick.
3. Spread your dog’s toes and grasp one of them firmly but gently.
4. Hold the dog nail clippers under his paw so you’re cutting the nail at a slight angle from top to bottom, maintaining the natural curve of the nail.
5. Trim the tip from the nail and check it again – if it looks okay, trim a little more until you see the start of a dark circle in the middle of the nail (this means you’re nearing the quick).
6. Move to the next nail, repeating the process until they have all been trimmed.
After trimming your dog’s nails, you can choose to use a nail file to smooth any rough edges. You can also use a dog nail grinder for this purpose – this may be the better choice if your dog’s nails are very thick and difficult to cut. A traditional nail file will only take a thin layer off your dog’s nails at a time, so it’s best used for detailing rather than as your primary method of trimming your dog’s nails.
If you happen to cut the quick when trimming your dog’s nails, don’t panic! Use cornstarch or styptic powder to stop the bleeding as quickly as you can. If the cut is still bleeding, you may want to see your veterinarian just to be safe.
Trimming your dog’s nails on a regular basis is a simple but important task. As a general rule, you should check them about once a week and trim them at least every two weeks, or as needed.
