Grooming your dog at home can be a great bonding experience with your dog as well as reduce the stress of having to go to the groomers. Not to mention, you will be saving money by doing the necessary grooming yourself. In order to give your dog the best grooming experience possible, you are going to need the best dog nail clippers.
There are hundreds of dog nail clippers available for purchase, but we have found the best dog nail clippers to help refine your search and ensure you are comparing the best of the best. Whether you have a small dog or a large dog, these dog nail clippers and trimmers are bound to suit your grooming needs.
How to Use Nail Clippers for Dogs
Before you begin to trim your dog’s nails, especially if you have never done it on your own before, you will need to know how to use the nail clippers properly. This is not just for your own educational purposes, but most importantly, for the health and safety of your dog.
One of the first things you need to know about trimming your dog’s nails is that it is not like trimming your own nails. Dog’s nails have a much larger and thicker ‘quick’ than us humans. The ‘quick’ contains several blood vessels and nerve endings which help the dog’s nails function and grow.
When the quick is damaged, either through a broken nail or when a nail is cut or trimmed too short, it will most definitely bleed and cause your dog pain. To compare, if you have ever trimmed your own nails just a little too short, you will feel significant amounts of pain and sensitivity until the nail has once again grown back.
In this matter, it is the same for dogs, but it is even more painful. The way the dog’s nails retract when they walk or run will be directly affected by any pressure put on the nails from your dog’s weight. Any damage caused to the dog’s nails will take quite some time to heal due to the constant pressure and movement placed on the nails from simply walking. If your dog breaks a nails or it is cut too short, you will need to keep a close eye on it to prevent the injured nail from developing infection.
To identify the quick of your dog’s nails, can be done two ways. First is visually. If your dog’s nails are clear, you can see the pink quick through the nail. Any nail growing past the quick is safe to cut or trim, but be sure you do not cut or trim too closely to avoid accidently injury when they are walking.
If your dog has black nails, spying the quick visually is nearly impossible. It is best to trim your dog’s nails just slightly to ultimately avoid reaching the quick. If you are adamant about trimming your dog’s nails as much as you can (maybe your dog hates a nail trim!), you can spot the quick by slightly peeling back the top layer of the nail. This will not be painful for your dog and is usually easy to do.
However, if you are not confident in trimming your dog’s nails, whether it be your first time or your dog’s nails are black, seek the advice of your vet or a professional groomer for assistance and training so you can perform the task easily and accurately when you are ready.
Now that you know what’s what about dog nails, here are the steps you will need to follow in order to trim or cut them.
Keep in mind, most dogs do not like to have their nails trimmed. In nearly all cases, your dog will need to be gently, but firmly, restrained. Pro Tip: if you start trimming your dog’s nails when they are young, they will be more likely to get used to it as they age.
Place your dog either on a table or on the floor.
Gently, but firmly, place one arm on the lower neck and place the other over their torso. This will help keep them still as much as possible.
Keeping your arm over the neck will prevent them from lifting their head. If you dog tries to stand or wriggle away, lean your upper body over their shoulders to prevent further movement.
Keep the dog’s nail clippers in your dominant hand and gently hold the paw you wish to trim.
Place the nail inside the clippers. Keep the clippers at least 2 mm away from the quick.
Squeeze the clippers to remove the unwanted nail. Be sure to trim the dew claws as well since they do not touch the ground and are not worn down naturally as your dog walks like the other nails are.
Repeat with each nail and with each paw.
If the nails are sharp after the trim, you can give the nails a gentle file to smooth the surface.
Trimming is required approximately 4-6 weeks, depending on the health, breed, and activities of the dog.
Pro Tip: If your dog is especially nervous or wiggly, enlist the help of a friend or family member to help keep your dog still while you trim their nails.
What to Look for in Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmers
There are two different types of dog’s nail clippers: scissor style and guillotine style. The guillotine style of nail trimmers are easier to use. The scissor style of dog nail trimmer are used to trim nails that have grown so long that they have begun to form in a circle. This is most seen in the dew claw, but it can also occur to dog’s who have gone long periods of time between nail trims.
Dog nail trimmers should be easy to hold and have a strong grip so you do not slip when you are trimming the nails. They should also have sharp blades so they can thoroughly cut through the dog’s thick nails.
In addition, the best dog nail clippers will be smooth and easy to use. This means they will not stick as you go between each of your dog’s nails and they should easily remove the nail with one cut without breaking or splitting the nail.
1. Boshel Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmers
The Boshel dog nail clippers and trimmers are ergonomically designed for easy use and strong gripping while you are trimming your dog’ nails. The non-slip grip and smooth handle ensure comfort and security while trimming. Not to mention, the strong and sharp blades provide clean and instant nail removal which make the job of trimming your dog’s nails much faster and easier.
Pros:
Ergonomic design
Cons:
Large in size, can be tricky to handle if you have small hands
2. 4YPet Professional Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmers
The 4YPet Professional dog nail clippers and trimmers are professional grade made from stainless steel. Recommended for home grooming use by groomers and vets alike, the 4YPet Professional dog nail clippers and trimmers are an excellent choice for any dog.
Ergonomically designed for a strong, non-slip grip, dog owners can easily use these nail clippers. Since the blades are made from stainless steel, you can be assured that they will be sharp and remain sharp after each use.
Pros:
Sharp, stainless steel blades
Smooth, non-slip grip
Ergonomically designed for comfort during use
Built in nail file
Can be used for small dogs and for large dogs (and even cats!)
Great for even the thickest nails
Protective guard included to prevent cutting the nails too short
Cons:
Not for use on shorter nails
Nail file can easily slide out
Protective guard can make using the nail trimmers more difficult
The black button at the top of the handle can be difficult to slide back and forth to adjust how far the clippers are open
3. Thunderpaws Professional-grade Dog Nail Clippers
The Thunderpaws professional-grade dog nail clippers are used by and recommended by vets and groomers due to the high quality make and ease of use of these dog nail clippers. Owners can easily cut or trim their dog’s nails with one smooth and clean action. The ergonomic design allows for a comfortable grip that will not slip during use.
Since the blades of the Thunderpaws professional-grade dog nail clippers are so sharp, it will not split or crush the dog’s nail during use. To keep your dog safe during their trim, a protective guard is included so you do not cut the nail too short.
Pros:
Ergonomic design
Sharp blades that cut the nail easily and smoothly
Includes nail file
Protective guard to prevent trimming too short
Non-slip rubber handle
Best suited for medium to large dogs
Includes sharpener that stores within the handle
Long lasting
Durable
Cuts fast
Cons:
Protective guard may get in the way during the nail trim
4. Wagglies Professional Trimmer
The Wagglies Professional Trimmer has a unique angled head which allows for an easy cut, even if the dog’s nails have begun to circle due to lack of trimming. The sharp blades allow for a quick and clean trim every time and will cut the dog’s nails without splits or crushing the nails.
With a comfortable and non-slip grip, you can easily handle the Wagglies Professional Trimmer. Not to mention, the Wagglies professional trimmer comes with a lifetime guarantee so you can be sure these dog nail clippers will last you for years to come.
Pros:
Free full sized nail file included
Non-slip grip
Ergonomic design for easy handling and greater comfort
Uniquely designed angled head for trimming any length of dog’s nails
Cuts quickly and smoothly
Built in safety guard to prevent trimming the nail too short
Stainless steel head
Cons:
Handles are set wide apart
Exposed spring coil which can trap longer dog fur
More difficult to use on smaller dogs
Clipped nails can become trapped in the clipper
Heavier than other brands or models
5. Mojo Pet Life Dog Nail Trimmer
The Mojo Pet Life dog nail trimmer can be used for small dogs and for large dogs. Easy to use, the sharp blades will smoothly and cleanly cut your dog’s nails in one swift motion. Since the blades are quite sharp, there is a locking mechanism that will lock the clippers when they are not in use to prevent accidental injury.
Designed with comfort and grip in mind, the Mojo Pet Life dog nail trimmer can provide the used with a non-slip grip and comfortable hold while they are using the clippers. Accompanied by a nail file, the Mojo Pet Life dog nail trimmer can provide full grooming service.
Pros:
Ergonomic design
Non-slip grip
Sharp blades
Includes nail file
Built-in safety guard
Locking mechanism
Cons:
Loud cutting sounds when in use
Shape of blades not as ideal as other brands
Mouth of the clippers may not open wide enough for thicker nails
From the list of the best dog nail clippers, the dog nail clippers that offer the highest quality and best performance would have to be the Thunderpaws Professional-grade dog nail clippers. Not only are they sharp and easy to use, you can quickly and safely trim your dog’s nails time after time.
Alayna Mayer PhD
Alayna Mayer Ph.D. has accrued more than ten years of professional veterinary experience. She emphasizes homeopathic care in her practice, but she makes all options known to her patients’ humans so that they can make well-informed decisions about their pets’ health. Email: [email protected]
