- The Best Dog Nail Clipper
- 1. Boshel Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer
- 2. Hertzko Electric Dog Nail Grinder
- 3. Epica Best Professional Dog Nail Clipper
- 4. Safari Professional Stainless Steel Nail Clippers for Dogs
- 5. Urpower Rechargeable Dog Nail Grinder
- 6. Gonicc Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmers
- 7. I-pure items Dog Nail Grinder
- 8. GoPets Nail Clippers for Dogs
It’s no secret that keeping your dog well-groomed is key to not only looking great, but to maintaining your dogs’ health and overall wellbeing. In particular, long claws can be easily missed but lead to multiple health issues, if left unchecked. Instead, we recommend using dog nail grinders and pet clippers for your dog’s nails.
These simple tools can help maintain excellent claw hygiene, so choosing the right grooming tool for your needs is key. Below, we give you our Top Picks, as well as providing you with all the information you could possibly need to make the right choice for you and your dog.
The Best Dog Nail Clipper
1. Boshel Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer
Professional standard, and user-friendly, just the words you want to hear when investing in a new set of nail tools to tidy up your pup. With a clean cut every time, this is will make cutting your dog’s nails swift, easy and low stress. Perfect for a quick and simple trim.
It comes with a handy little nail file for those finishing touches, that can be tucked away into a slot in the handle. And for added security, it had been made with a safety stop blade, to ensure you can’t cut the nail too short and catch the quick.
2. Hertzko Electric Dog Nail Grinder
This is the perfect portable, pet-friendly trimmer, made to make your grooming time with your pup as easy as possible. The super mute motor used with this grinder will ensure that your pup isn’t put through any unnecessary stress during those difficult grooming times.
Utilizing the rechargeable battery will save you any worry about wires getting in the way. And with the multiway cover attachment for the Dremel, you can control how much of the stone is being used at any time. This has been designed to help to guide you towards the correct amount of surface area you should be using for your dog.
3. Epica Best Professional Dog Nail Clipper
No guessing or stressing with this clipper! Its semi-circular design creates a perfect alcove for your pup’s nails to fit into, meaning you can see everything you’re doing, removing the worry that you may cut too low. Available for medium and large dogs, and with a safety lock when they’re not in use, these are the perfect tool for an otherwise difficult job.
The super sharp stainless steel edges require only the lightest squeeze to get the job done, and the rubber gripped handles help you in the knowledge that if your little friend makes a sudden move, you won’t slip.
4. Safari Professional Stainless Steel Nail Clippers for Dogs
Ideal for small to medium breeds, these handy little nail trimmers will do the job quite nicely! Make grooming time quiet and painless for your pup, with these super strong, sharp, and easy-to-use clippers.
The stainless steel edge ensures you’ll never have to use unnecessary force to cut those little claws, and with a safety stop in place, you don’t have to worry about cutting too low. The rubber grips give great security to what can sometimes be quite the fiddley task, and the locking blades ensure they can be stowed away safely.
5. Urpower Rechargeable Dog Nail Grinder
Convenient, comfortable and easy to use, three words to sum up the fantastic appeal of this nail grinding tool. Perfect for small to medium dogs, or even cats! This grinder will help ease your grooming experience for you and your pet.
The rechargeable battery makes this tool portable and quick to use. The indicator light shows when the grinder is fully charged, and once charged it is able to be used continuously for over 3 hours! A diamond grinding stone is also used to efficiency and the quiet motor will help curb any stress your pup may be feeling.
6. Gonicc Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmers
The perfect clipper set for all shapes and sizes! These universal clippers will allow you to trim the nails of any sized pup you need. The ergonomic, non-slip grips will give you a nice secure grip as you work, and helps you to feel more secure in your trimming.
When coupled with the extra sharp, lockable stainless steel blades and safety stop, you will only need a small amount of pressure to get the job done well and quickly. But if after all of that, you’re still unhappy with the product, Gonnic provides a lifetime warranty! It’s hard to deny that kind of confidence.
7. I-pure items Dog Nail Grinder
This grinder has proven to be an ideal tool for the job! With 3 size options for all dogs, and 2 speeds for efficiency and comfort. This ideal design means you can rest happy knowing your grooming time will go smoother than ever.
The ultra-quiet motor helps any nervous pup get past their nail trimming fears, and a rechargeable battery makes it all the more convenient to use. And with the added bonus of a free pair of clippers and a small nail file to help neaten up the final product, you get everything you need in one package.
8. GoPets Nail Clippers for Dogs
This clipper and file set has shown to be highly loved by many pet owners, who comment on their reliability, swiftness, and ease of use. And with an unconditional satisfaction guarantee, you know that GoPets have no doubt you will love this product! Now you can be sure that nail clipping time will always go swiftly and smoothly.
The safety stop behind the super-strong and sharp stainless steel blades takes all of the anxiety out of clipping your pup’s nails, as you know you won’t cut too low, even if they try to pull away. And the rubber grips only add to that sense of security.
Best Dog Nail Clipper Buying Guide & FAQ
Features to Consider When Buying Dog Clippers and Grinders
- Comfort
The key to finding the best dog nail grinders or grooming tools, is choosing the option that feels most comfortable for you and your pooch. A nail grinder might be too loud for some, nervous dogs, so choosing trimmers can be preferable for some. However, for others, a trimmer may be too harsh or not strong enough to handle thicker claws and therefore a nail grinder may work better for your needs, in the long run.
Whichever you decide - grinding or trimming - the best option is always one that you are completely happy using and that allows your dog to feel at ease and completely comfortable.
- Noise
It's no secret that using a nail grinder can be loud. While most grinding tools for dogs are created to be quiet and calm, there are some options out there with noisier motors or that simply aren't designed to be a nail grinder for dogs (either they're created for larger animals or for humans). To avoid this, always ensure your nail grinder has been created for pets, as these will use less power and therefore will create less noise.
- Features
Each nail grinder and grooming tool will be very different in the features they offer. For example, you might spot a nail grinder that uses a power cord and therefore maintains it's strength during use - however, these cords can often get in the way of your grinding and make it more difficult to trim the nail of your dog. Meanwhile, a battery-powered nail grinder will be great for getting around your pup as you work - but are less likely to last as long, essentially giving you a time limit to work with your nail grinder.
Another great feature, adopted by newer options, is the ability to use varying speeds for your nail grinder. These modern choices will give you different strengths, allowing you to have create control over the amount of grinding and therefore making you less prone to catching the quick. This, along with other great safety features included with your nail grinder can make a huge difference in the value for money, safety and comfort in the handling of your nail grinder.
- Size and Weight
Whether you're opting for an electric nail grinder or manual trimmer, the size and weight of your selection can make a big difference in how comfortable you feel holding one. Too big, and you could find yourself feeling as though the tool is not being controlled. Too small, and you could struggle to get purchase. Choose a size and weight that feels comfortable in your hand - and you'll soon notice the difference in how you feel handling the tool!
Head over to our review of Dog Paw Washers for more options.
Types of Nail Clippers for Dogs
- Electric
A dog nail grinder will always be electric, as they use a motor to spin the accessories. These are easy to use and quick to get to grips with, but can be very loud at times – depending on which nail grinder you buy. These are ideal for dog's nails that are thicker, as you may find with larger breeds, as they can easily work on grinding away any excess length.
- Manual
Manual options are nearly always clippers or trimmers, rather than grinding tools. This is because they use manpower and a bit of elbow grease to cut chunks of nail away, rather than slowly grinding the nail back to a comfortable length. If you're new to trimming your dog's claws, it can be worth beginning with a manual set, as these often come with safety locks that promote the ideal length, whereas grinding can be continuous and therefore mean you're more likely to hit the quick.
Benefits of Grooming Your Dog’s Nails with Dog Nail Grinders
The best part about grooming your dog's nails yourself is that you're able to grind the nail whenever you need to, without waiting on an appointment for a vet and resolving the issue of overgrown nails much faster. Dog nail grinders are a quick and painless way to shorten problem nails before they become a big issue, and without the added price tag that many vets will add for the privilege of cutting your dog's nails.
It can also help ensure that your dog doesn't become stressed - as many pups will become anxious over their trip to the local vet and this can make the job of nail grinding much more difficult for you, your vet, and your dog. Instead, using nail grinders at home can allow you to distract your dog with a tasty treat, while you quickly get to work on each nail. Find out more about dog treats here.
Tips for Trimming Your Dog's Nails
If this is your first time using a dog nail grinder or trimmers (scissor or guillotine-style), then following these tips can ensure you get the best result.
- Remember that a nail grinder can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren't taken - even if they have safety measures in place - so read the manufacturers guidelines fully before beginning.
- Hold your dogs paw or leg gently before beginning and let them get used to your touch. If your dog is nervous, it can worth doing this with lots of treats, beforehand, to get your dog comfortable with the idea of you grabbing your dogs appendages.
- Start small - only grinding or cutting the bare minimum, until you're comfortable with the movement and routine of using a dog nail grinder or cutting tool.
- The action of grinding your dogs nails can surprise your pup at first. Even the nail grinders will low noise output can create vibrations that may scare or shock your dog, so spend a little time allowing them to get used to the feeling, with shorter bursts of grinding, at first.
Our Top Pick
The Dremel dog nail grinder is one of the best dog nail grinders on the market, today. Quiet, yet powerful, this is the best choice in pet nail grooming tools as they are unlikely to cause any stress to your dog while still quickly grinding down your pets claws back to a healthy length.
Lightweight and very easy to adjust, to better reach each nail of your dog without the fuss, the rechargeable grinders can be easily swapped and changed at a moments notice. And, with two rotation speeds, nail grinding has never had such a low noise and high output. Grinding down your pet’s nail has never been easier – making this, overall, the best grooming tool for dog claws on the market, today.
FAQ
Q: Are nail clippers and grinders safe for dogs?
Not all grinders and trimmers are created equal and, while most dog nail grinder options are completely safe for your dog, some nail grinders may lack the necessary safety and wellbeing features. While our Top Picks have all been chosen due to their pet nail grooming specialities, there are some out there which may be too blunt or lack the necessary safety locks to be considered right for your dogs grooming needs.
In terms of whether a dog nail grinder is safe for your pup as a general tool, the answer is "absolutely". As long as you use your nail grinders and trimmers wisely and you're sure not to cut the quick (the blood vessel located toward the base of the claw, which can bleed if nicked), there is absolutely no harm in using nail grinders for your dog's nails.
Q: How often should I grind my dog’s nails?
The answer to this is as varied as your dog is! Every individual dog is very different, and therefore their nails are also just as different - and whether their nails grow at a faster rate than usual can vary massively. On average, however, it is generally recommended that you use a dog nail grinder every 1-2 months. That said, if you hear your dogs nails clicking or tapping on the floor when they walk, that is a surefire sign that their nails need to be trimmed or some dog nail grinding is required!
Q: Can dog clippers and grinders for nails be sharpened?
The answer to this depends on the grooming tool you have bought – however, all nail grinders should come with replaceable heads, as grinders cannot be sharpened, although the best dog nail grinders will have a long life span, regardless. However, professional dog nail clippers should be designed so that the blade can either be replaced or sharpened.
That said, scissor-style dog claw clippers should be sharpened in the same way you might sharpen your scissors. This means you will have to keep on top of the upkeep required for these grooming tools but the overall lifespan, when maintained, is much greater than an electric nail trimmer.
Q: Is it suitable to use human nail clippers on dogs?
Unfortunately, the way human nail growth occurs is very different from dog nail growth. While humans grow their nails in a horizontal method, eventually ending with a thin, sharp nail, pet nails (particular dog and cat nails) grow vertically and with multiple layers.
Thus, using human nail tools won’t have the same effect as heavy duty dog nail clippers or a dog nail sander and grinders. Indeed, if you try to use human tools on your pet nail, you’re more likely to see the nails splitting and these split could find their way back to the root. Once there, it can cause bleeding and infections, which leads to an expensive trip to the vets and a very unhappy pet.
Using a specially designed pet nail grinder, on the other hand, allows you to safely and quickly shorten the pet nail without risk of harm to your dog. These grinders are created to allow you to give your dog the best treatment, without risk of cutting to the quick or splitting the claws and causing any lasting damage to your dog nail and root.
Sources
- Clipping Your Dog's Claws - Washington State University
- How to Pick Dog Nail Clippers - AKC