Keeping your nails short is a sign of good hygiene. But there are health benefits as well such as the prevention of bacterial or fungal infection and inward nail growth. So, it shouldn’t be surprising really that dogs need their nails trimmed too. It’s not just a cosmetic thing; your dog needs his/her nails clipped for their health, well-being and to prevent the Covid-19 virus transmission. And unless you ensure he or she has a lot of outdoor activity or regularly bring him/her to the groomers, you’re going to need to do the trimming yourself. That’s where dog toenail clippers come in. Unlike what we humans use, these are designed differently. They come in a variety of sizes and styles. Each size and style has its advantages and disadvantages. Obviously, this can make it difficult to figure out which one is the best dog nail clippers for your furry friend. And this is where we come in. Based on extensive research, we’ve come up with the top dog toenail clippers in the market. Check out our choices below.
Top 7 Dog Nail Clippers 2020
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1. Safari Professional Stainless Steel Nail Trimmer for Dogs
Based on our research, Safari Professional Nail Trimmers are one of the best dog nail clippers in the market today. It’s made of high-quality stainless steel and comes razor sharp out of the box. When you’re choosing nail clippers for dogs, you want something durable and easy to use. And that’s what you get from this pair. This tool features a double blade to ensure quick, smooth cuts all the time. It also comes with tension spring and a rubberized non-slip grip to ensure comfort, control, and ease of use. There’s even a locking mechanism so you can safely store this tool when not in use. However, the Safari nail clipper is only available in one size which means that you can’t get it if you have a small dog or puppies.
PROS
- Super-sharp double blade cutter
- Stainless steel
- Rubberized grips
CONS
- Only available in one size
- Not for small dogs and puppies
2. Shiny Pet Pet Nail Clippers
If you have small dogs or puppies to groom, then these are the dog nail clippers for you. This nail clipper from Shiny Pet is designed like a pair of scissors. It features razor sharp stainless steel blades that have a semi-circular edge for clean, precise cuts. Its plastic handles are made of top grade material and feature an ergonomic grip. The rubberized coating ensures that the nail clipper feels comfortable in your hand throughout the entire process. Moreover, you get a free eBook that provides you with all the information you need to cut your dog’s nails safely and level up your grooming skills. Shiny Pet even offers you a lifetime money-back guarantee in case you find your pet unhappy with your purchase. However, some users do feel that these clippers are a bit stiff when first used. It’s not spring-loaded, so they require more effort from you.
PROS
- Ergonomic grip
- Free ebook
- Lifetime money-back guarantee
CONS
- Only for small dogs
- Slightly stiff when first used
3. Epica #1 Best Professional Pet Nail Clipper
When it comes to professional dog toenail clippers, there’s nothing better than Epica’s Professional Pet Nail Clipper. It features stainless steel blades that are extremely sharp and designed to easily and cleanly cut through the nails of large dogs. The ergonomic handles feature grooves that fit your fingers to ensure a non-slip, comfortable grip. The clipper comes with a safety mode that locks the blades in place, preventing curious kids from cutting themselves. Plus, it’s backed by a 100% lifetime warranty. There’s just one drawback – the nail guard has been known to move when in use which can result in cutting the nail too short if you’re not careful.
PROS
- comfortable grip
- 100% lifetime warranty
- automatic lock
CONS
- nail guard doesn’t stay put
4. GoPets Nail Clipper
If you’re looking for the best dog nail clippers with a sensor, then the GoPets Nail Clipper is for you. With some dogs, figuring out where the quick (the blood vessel and nerve) ends can be difficult. With the GoPets Nail Clipper, you don’t have to worry about cutting the nails too short. There’s a quick sensor safety guard that will prevent you from hurting your dog. This tool also comes with high quality 3.5mm thick stainless steel that can remain sharp for years. It features large non-slip handles for both comfort and safety. Moreover, it comes with a nail file to help you smoothen any sharp edges.
PROS
- Comes in two sizes – small and large
- Built-in handle lock for safety
- Lifetime guarantee
CONS
- Pricey
- Requires more effort when cutting thick nails
5. One to One Dog and Cat Nail Clipper
These dog toenail clippers from One to One are quite similar to others on this list. But none are as wallet-friendly, we would wager. Of course, it’s low cost does not mean that you’ll need to sacrifice quality. In fact, this nail clipper features top-grade stainless steel blades that are sharp, sturdy, and reliable. It comes with a built-in safety switch for safe storage. The conical spring ensures rapid rebound which means you spend less effort in cutting. Moreover, the handles are adjustable for easy use. Speaking of, these handles are non-slip and feature grooves for a comfortable grip. And then there’s the free nail file thrown in, allowing you to smoothen any sharp edges after trimming.
PROS
- Budget-friendly
- Adjustable handles
- Easy to use
CONS
- The file is not effective
- The safety guard is not adjustable
6. Resco Original Deluxe Dog and Cat Nail/Claw Clippers
This guillotine-style nail clipper has been manufactured by Resco since 1937 and is still going strong today. The American steel blades are super sharp to ensure quick and smooth trimming. And should these blades dull over time, you can easily replace them as Resco sells replacement blade kits on Amazon. In addition, the handles have a non-slip rubber grip which makes it feel comfortable in your hand. As an added bonus, Resco backs these dog toenail clippers with a 100% lifetime warranty. However, using a guillotine-type nail clipper is not ideal for beginners. It’s a bit awkward to use if you’re not familiar with it. Moreover, replacing the blade is quite tricky to do.
PROS
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in the US
- High quality steel
CONS
- Not for beginners
- Tricky to replace the blade
7. Millers Forge Pet Nail Clipper
If you want something basic and budget-friendly, then the Millers Forge Pet Nail Clippers is what you’re looking for. These dog nail clippers feature stainless steel cutting blades, a tension spring, and non-slip rubber handles. They’re easy to use and feel comfortable in your hand. It’s heavy duty construction and very sharp blades more than make up for its lack of “frills.” Plus, it comes with a safety lock, so you don’t have to worry about getting cut when it’s in storage. However, it doesn’t have a nail guard safety feature. In addition, it’s not easy to use on little dogs.
PROS
- Sturdy
- Recommended by vets and professional groomers
- Sharp stainless steel
CONS
- Slippery handles
- No nail guard safety feature
- Too unwieldy for small dogs
FAQ
How to use dog nail clippers?
Cutting your dog’s nails can be intimidating. You’re probably afraid of causing pain and making him/her upset. Or worse, causing your dog to bite you. Totally understandable but not necessary. There are certain steps you can take to make the process as easy for you as it is for your furry friend.
First, you need to get your dog toenail clippers, some treats, and baking soda. The last one is to help stop bleeding if you accidentally cut the nail too short. Just in case.
Once you’re ready, firmly grip your dog’s paw and separate his/her toes. Start trimming. It’s a good idea to give him/her a treat and a bit of praise throughout the entire process. If he or she starts getting restless, you can take a breather or just put off trimming the rest until tomorrow. After all, there’s no law that says you have to do every toe on the same day.
Pro Tip: ask a groomer or your vet to show you how it’s done. Seeing it in practice makes it easier to follow than just reading a how-to guide.
Can you use regular toenail clippers on a dog?
There’s a reason why there are nail clippers for dogs in the market. They don’t have the same nails as us. Their nails are round while ours are flat. Our regular nail clippers aren’t designed to cut their nails. Using them could cause your dog’s nails to splinter, shatter, or get crushed.
How to sharpen dog clipper blades?
Ideally, you shouldn’t sharpen your dog nail clippers unless you are experienced in sharpening the blades of scissors. However, if you’re not, getting a professional to do it would cost you more than a new pair would. In short, it’s best that you don’t try it at all. Take note that guillotine-type nail clippers feature replaceable blades, so you don’t need to buy a completely new tool if it gets dull.
What are the different types of dog nail clippers?
To be honest, there’s really no “best dog nail clippers.” It’s not a “one-size-fits-all” kind of tool. Like the dogs you’ll be using them on, these come in a variety of sizes and styles – designed specifically to suit certain needs and lifestyles.
Now, there are four main types of dog toenail clippers – the plier, the scissor, the guillotine, and the grinder. As we’ve already mentioned, each kind has its own pros and cons. We’ll discuss them in length below.
Plier
Nail clippers for dogs that feature the plier style are typically large in size (compared to the others) and feature a spring that opens the blade automatically every time you cut a nail. You’ll find that this style can be used for dogs of most sizes. Generally, plier types are perfect for cutting thick, tough nails as long as they’re sharp. And they are very sturdy. However, if they are dull, they can easily twist your dog’s nails and cause harm.
Scissor
The scissor type is typically used for small dogs. These nail clippers look like scissors (hence, the name) but with short, curved blades. Unlike the plier-type, these do not feature a spring, so it requires more effort from you to open the blades. This can cause a little bit of strain on your hands if you use it for long. It is also not ideal for large toenails.
Guillotine
Guillotine-style nail clippers feature a hole where you’ll place the dog’s nail. A sharp blade will then slice through it, similar to the action of a guillotine. This type of dog nail clippers is ideal for small to medium-sized dogs, but not for large ones. They can cut cleanly through your dog’s nails provided that they are sharp. However, they are a bit tricky to use and the blades tend to dull quickly. Fortunately, these blades are replaceable and much cheaper than buying new dog nail clippers.
Grinder
As the name suggests, this tool is used to grind the edge of a nail. The advantage of such a tool is that it enables you to make your dog’s toenails nice and smooth, not sharp or uneven. It also prevents you from cutting his/her nail too short. In addition, there’s less chance that it will cause your dog to bleed while you’re trimming his/her nails. However, hair can get caught in it and get yanked. In addition, the sound of the grinder is too loud for some dogs.
What features should you look for when choosing dog nail clippers?
Aside from the style of your dog nail clippers, you need to consider other factors before making your final choice.
Durability
This might not be a big factor in your decision-making process if you only have one small dog in your family. But if you have multiple dogs or if you’re a professional groomer, then durability is crucial. Look for products that are marketed as heavy duty or professional. In addition, make sure to check reviews on how long customers use them before they start to fall apart. Or if they can handle getting dropped multiple times.
Sharpness
A good pair will always be sharp out of the box. A great one will stay sharp for a long time. Make sure that you check what other users are saying regarding the edge retention of the blades. You should also check to see if the blades can be resharpened or replaced.
Safety
You want to make sure that your dog is comfortable throughout the entire trimming process. You definitely don’t want to scare him away. This means that you need to check out if the product has any safety features such as nail guards to prevent you from cutting the nails too short. Some nail clippers will have an automatic locking feature which makes it safe for little hands.
Grip
You want to make sure that your hands have a comfortable grip on the nail clippers while you’re trimming the nails of your dog. This is important for two reasons. One, it ensures that your hands don’t slip while you’re cutting. Two, it prevents you from NOT trimming your dog’s nails. Because if it’s not comfortable, the less likely you’ll use it.
Size
Nail clippers for dogs come in various sizes to cater to the different sizes of dogs. Yes, you can use large nail clippers on your small dog. But you need to know that it won’t be effective or easy. On the other hand, you can’t use a small one on a large dog. If you’re not sure what size to get, go with the larger option. If you have dogs of different sizes, it’s best if you buy different sizes of nail clippers as well.
Where can you buy dog toenail clippers?
Nowadays, you can buy almost anything online which means you’ll find dog clippers in Amazon, eBay, Target, Walmart, etc. You can also visit your local pet stores if you want more help to find the right one.
