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The guillotine style clippers cut quickly and cleanly, making what could otherwise be a stressful, drawn-out job into a two-minute snap. Read More
Premium Quality Hot Sale Pet Products Stainless Sharp Blade Cat And Dog Toe Nail Clippers Cutter
This scissor set was especially comfortable to use and contains that all-important safety stop to prevent cutting into the dog's quick. Read More
Of all of the jobs we have taking care of our dogs , cutting our best friend's nails just might be the most stressful.
After all, it’s the rare pup that eagerly responds to a claw clip the way we humans might enjoy a relaxing pedicure. Because it requires broaching their tender paws with blades, it makes having a scared and squirmy subject all the more fraught.
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That’s why getting the right tool for nail trimming is an absolute necessity—whether that means a super-sharp set of scissors, smooth and efficient guillotine clippers, or a gentle, low-intimidation dog nail grinder. Plier-type scissors are the most traditional style. And if that’s the variety you choose, you can’t do better than the ultra-durable Epica Professional Nail Clipper (available at Amazon) .
If you’re a new dog owner or are just looking to upgrade all of your pet’s equipment, then it may not be a bad idea to add a great dog collar and dog leash to your dog’s pile of gear as well. Your dog will probably deserve to go out for a walk after cutting his or her nails anyways, right?
After looking at the best nail clippers for dogs, we found that the best ones will cut through even the thickest nails in an instant. A clearly delineated safety guard ensures you don’t nick your dog’s quick—the delicate cluster of nerves and blood vessels that appears as a dark circle just beyond where the pure, nerve-free nail ends.
Amazon.com: Allstar Innovations Peticare Led Light Pet Nail Clipper Great For Trimming Cats & Dogs Nails & Claws, 5x Magnification That Doubles As A Nail Trapper, Quick Clip, Steel Blades
The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.
The king of clippers, these simple scissor style clippers don’t look much different compared to similar clippers, but this model manages to surpass them across the board. Their main strength is, well, strength.
Due to this, these clippers have long been our personal preferred pick for our own dog, whose long, black nails are practically impenetrable. The semi-circular sharp blades surround the nail, allowing you to see exactly where you’re cutting, and a quick guard prevents you from going too deep so you won’t have to worry about clipping the quick.
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The rubber coated handles are comfortable to hold and squeeze, an easy-to-manipulate safety lock keeps them closed when not in use, and the set comes with a lifetime warranty.
The actual inventor of the guillotine-style clipper, U.S.-based Resco has been in business since 1937. They’ve remained an industry leader since then (often used by vets and groomers), and if any clipper could woo us from our long-term relationship with Epica, it’s this one.
These nail clippers cut so fast and cleanly, our pup barely registered the pressure, making what could otherwise be a stressful, drawn-out job a two-minute snap. Available in multiple sizes (there’s even a specialized option for tiny pets like ferrets and lizards), the clipper is properly proportioned for any job.
From Kitty Claws To Dog Paws: A Pet Parent's Guide To Nailing Nail Trims
A powder coat offers a no-slip grip and added comfort. Replacement blades are available, and Resco also offers a lifetime warranty. No wonder the American company has stood the test of time!
We found this scissor set especially comfortable to use, thanks to its ergonomic handles that are wide, cushioned, easy to grip, and push together effortlessly with a tension spring.
The Boshel contains that all-important “safety stop, ” for preventing you from cutting too far into the quick, and there’s even a cute mini nail file, conveniently tucked into the handle for storage.
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This highly established power tool company was the first to repurpose their signature item for cutting dog’s nails. And they clearly take that task every bit as seriously as they do heavy duty construction projects.
This kit is no joke. It comes with a variety of sanding drums, bands, and accessories, for swapping in and out for an optimized and effective claw-cutting experience. Which is to say, the grinder isn’t exactly usable straight out of the box. There’s some potentially confusing set-up involved, and you need to charge it for 2.5 hours first.
It’s also quite bulky—which can be uncomfortable for the owner when it comes to extended use—and very loud; so it’s possible your dog could bark at the sound.
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Available in small/medium and medium/large sizes, the Safari can accommodate a range of nail types, and the stainless-steel double blades seem reasonably sharp and durable for such an affordable cutter.
Scissors: The most common kind of cutter, these plier-style tools, have steel blades that snip off bits of the nail when the handle is squeezed. Ideally, they also contain a quick stop guard, to keep you from slicing into a nerve.
Grinders: This electric option uses a rotating, emery board type wheel, as opposed to a blade, to gradually grind bits of nail off.
Chi Standard Dog Nail Clippers
Guillotines: Like the name suggests, these clippers feature a hole that the nail fits through. The handle is squeezed to descend a blade that chops the nail off vertically, as opposed to horizontally.
Since this is a cutting tool, it goes without saying that the blade should be high-quality stainless steel, resistant to dulling, bacteria, and rust; and while special features are nice (such as emery boards tucked into the handle!), safety is of utmost importance. The biggest danger to your dog is accidentally cutting into the nail's quick, so make sure the clipper has a quick guard, as a failsafe against overcutting.
The most important thing dog owners can do when selecting the right clipper is to make sure it's the right size for the dog. Small clippers won’t stand up to the density of a large dog’s thick nails, while a large clipper may be clumsy and aggressive against the tender nails of small or medium-sized dogs.
Dog & Cat Nail Clipper
Classic scissors can be found in both small and large sizes, and are almost always equipped with quick guards, but if your pet jerks their paw when you’re trying to cut, it could definitely cause you to accidentally cut too much of the nail (or worse!).
A grinder offers a gentle, less abrupt way to both shorten and buff your pet’s nails, although you may have to do some work to acclimate them to the buzzing sound.
A guillotine pet nail clipper is also effective on small dogs or even cats, although animals may be uncomfortable with the rough downward pressure.
Well & Good Stainless Steel Nail Clippers For Small Dogs
Sarah Zorn is a food writer, cookbook author, and product tester for , Wirecutter and the Food Network. She regularly contributes to outlets such as Saveur, Esquire, and Civil Eats, and has very much passed her food obsessions down, as her beloved rescue hound, Rowdy, regularly deglazes his kibble bowl.
Ceara Perez-Murphy is a staff writer at . In her free time she likes trying out new recipes in the kitchen, exploring new restaurants and spending time outdoors with her dogs.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
The Best Dog Nail Clippers
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This article was medically reviewed by Karie Johnson, DVM, a veterinarian in the south suburbs of Chicago whose focus is on nutrition, osteoarthritis, behavior, and end-of-life care. She is published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Association.
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Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board.
Keeping your dog's nails trimmed is more important than you might think. Although some dogs wear their nails down naturally if they are very active outdoors, most dogs need regular trims. Too-long nails
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