9 Best Dog Nail Clippers (2024): Buyer’s Guide and Unbiased Reviews | Costco, Walmart, Amazon

Are you on a quest to find the best dog nail clippers at costco, target, walmart or amazon?

Then you’re in the right place. Because I have done the hard work for you and have reviewed dozens of models to bring you the best dog nail clippers.

In addition, I will introduce the following related topics.

• Product Details
• Dog Nail Clipper Buyer’s Guide
• Types of Dog Nail Clippers (Scissor, Grinding Tool Trimmers, Guillotine)
• …

I will also answer some common questions.

• How Often Should I Trim My Dog’S Nails?
• Is it good to use any tools or scissors I have?
• How to Cut a Dog’s Nails? (Video)
• What Should I Do If I Cut My Dog’s Nails Too Short?
• How can I tell where the quick is if my dog has dark nails?
• …

Without further ado, let’s begin!

Best Dog Nail Clippers Comparison Table

Scissor Types

Grinding Tool Trimmers

Guillotine Types

The Best Dog Nail Clippers

1. Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmer
2. Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer By Boshel
3. Epica #1 Best Professional Pet Nail Clipper
4. Dremel 7300-N/8 MiniMite 4.8-Volt Cordless Two-Speed Rotary Tool
5. URPOWER Rechargeable Pet Nail Grinder Upgraded Dog Nail Grinder with USB Charging Quite & Powerful Nail Clipper for Gentle Paws Grooming Nail Grinder for Dogs Cats and Other Small & Medium Pets
6. AMIR Pet Nail Grinder, Gentle Paws Premium Electric Nail Grinder For Dogs and Cats/Pet Grooming Kit
7. Resco Original Deluxe Dog and Cat Nail/Claw Clippers
8. Safari Guillotine Nail Trimmer
9. Quick Finder Nail Clipper

Scissor Types:

1. Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmer – Editor’s Choice: Best Dog Nail Clippers with Sensor

The fact that Safari’s Professional Nail Trimmer has more than 5,000 reviews is clear evidence that parents with pets are in love with it. It takes the top spot on this list because of its many positive reviews, ease of use, and wallet-friendly price tag.

The clipper’s blades are made with stainless steel and are extra sharp, strong, durable, and can quickly cut through nails, which is great for squirmy dogs or dogs that don’t like getting their nails trimmed. It comes equipped with a quick stop that ensures that you never cause painful damage to the thicker and nerve-filled sections of your dog’s nails. The handles also come padded with cushy rubber grips to ensure your in-hand comfort.

If you have a dog and are looking for medium to small-sized nail clippers for dogs that are both affordable and great at what they do, the you need look further than this amazing product. The Safari Professional Nail Trimmer comes in different sizes, which means that you will always find the right one for your dog no matter what size or species he/she is, or you can simply buy several of them at once.

2. Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer By Boshel – With Safety Guard to Avoid Over-cutting Nails & Free Nail File – Razor Sharp Blades – Sturdy Non Slip Handles – For Safe, Professional At Home Grooming – Best Dog Nail Clippers for Thick Nails

Boshel is a leading manufacturer of professional-grade nail clippers for dogs. The Do Nail Clippers and Trimmers by Boshel are not only a great looking grooming tool but also, they perform incredibly well.

The design of products from the brand makes it almost impossible to make deep cuts, which makes it harder to make a mistake and hit the quick of the dog’s nail.

This dog nail clipper comes with sturdy, sharp, and powerful blades capable of handling even the thickest of nails in just one clip. The handles have a non-slip, ergonomic design for comfortable use and even comes with a free file for the nails.

The trimmer comes form a brand that manufactures products that professional dog groomers love using, which means that quality is assured if you choose this product.

The clipper also comes with a free nail file as an added bonus, which is perfect for people looking to really pamper their dogs and it makes for an excellent addition to a pet grooming kit.

3. Epica #1 Best Professional Pet Nail Clipper,Easy and Safe To Use – Professional Dog Nail Clippers

Epica has developed a great set of grooming clippers that does a great job of trimming your dog’s nails. This dog nail clipper by Epica is incredibly easy to work with and the handle is comfortable to hold. The design of this clipper works best for medium sized to large dogs and is not recommended for small dogs. These dog nail clippers are sharp enough to cut through anything, so be extra cautious when it comes to working with Epica.

The blades on this clipper are made using ultra-durable stainless steel and won’t rust, scratch, or bend and actually stay sharp even after several clippings, even if you have a dog with tough nails. The handles on the clipper are shaped to fit the fingers and for extra safety, they have an anti-slip rubber coating. The clip is designed for larger dogs that have stronger nails, which means that you never have to apply excessive force during clipping.

Reviewers are in love with the clippers due to their quality, strength, and affordable price tag. The clippers are also backed by a 100 percent lifetime warranty. So, if you ever experience problems with your clipper, the manufacturer can provide a resolution. The company even offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee, which means that you can get a full refund if you don’t like the product.

Grinding Tool Trimmers:

4. URPOWER Rechargeable Pet Nail Grinder Upgraded Dog Nail Grinder with USB Charging Quite & Powerful Nail Clipper for Gentle Paws Grooming Nail Grinder for Dogs Cats and Other Small & Medium Pets – Editor’s Choice

The URPOWER Rechargeable pet nail grinder is constructed using a diamond bit grinder that’s both gentle and safe but still powerful enough to trim your pet’s tough nails. It is ideal for small to medium sized pets and has 3 ports to be used on nails of different sizes. You can even recharge the nail grinder via USB and once it is fully charged, it can run for up to 3 hours straight.

Some dogs tend to be frightened by the grinder’s vibration, so make sure that you only introduce it slowly. The manufacturer advises users to let it run for several minutes before using it on a pet so that he/she first gets used to its sound.

5. AMIR Pet Nail Grinder, Gentle Paws Premium Electric Nail Grinder For Dogs and Cats/Pet Grooming Kit

The Amir Pet Nail Grinder for Dogs and Cats is regarded as one of the bestselling dog nail grinders. The tool is quite light and features ergonomic design that helps you avoid putting too much strain on the hands when using it.

The product comes with an incredibly durable diamond barrel that results in cleaner and smoother grinding. The barrel can be contained in the plastic housing to ensure that the chips and dust that come off the nail are contained and don’t fly in either your face or your pet’s face. The grinder runs incredibly quietly, which can help reduce the discomfort your pet feels when you are trying to trim down his/her nails to a size that’s more manageable.

The plastic cover over the drum has 3 different safety ports, a small one for small-sized dogs, a slightly larger one for medium-sized or larger dogs, as well as a full 180° opening that allows for faster grinding on larger nails.

If you are searching for the best grinding nail trimmer, you need not look further than this one. Once you get used to it, you will start wondering whether you can ever go back to the old-style dog nail clippers or other grinders that aren’t designed this well. It is highly recommended as the best solution for keeping your dog’s long nails in check.

6. Dremel 7300-N/8 MiniMite 4.8-Volt Cordless Two-Speed Rotary Tool

The Dremel 7300 is an electronic grooming kit for pets that comes with a rotary tip you can use for cutting, trimming, and shaping your pet’s nails. It is easy to use, effective, and safe. You don’t need to push hard when using this pet trimmer and should not be afraid to break either the tool or the nail. It works more like a dog nail file that you can use for nail trimming too.

The Dremel 7300 is battery powered, which means that there’s no cord. It is also compatible with an assortment of other Dremel sanding bands and drums, which means that you are free to use it for various other tasks if this is something that you are interested in. The product comes with a 2-year warranty.

If given a choice, many dog owners would probably prefer sticking to their trusted clippers with the key reason being that they feel somewhat uncomfortable using a product from Dremel that they might take longer to master.

After trialing the Dremel pet grooming kit, however, most users were very impressed. It is a great tool for smoothing down the dog’s nails and it is a motion that your dog will eventually get used to after a while.

If you plan to buy this product, it is highly advisable to come up with a regular routine of clipping your dog’s nails, every six months or so seems ideal and this means keeping dog grooming time to the bare minimum.

Guillotine Types:

7. Resco Original Deluxe Dog and Cat Nail/Claw Clippers – Editor’s Choice

In 1937, Resco invented the guillotine style of nail clippers and has manufactured them ever since in the United States. Clippers from Resco have been around since 1937, which is testament to the quality of the product. The key difference in these dog nail clippers is the functioning of its blades. A clipper of this type is known as a guillotine blade.

The mechanism it uses to make the cut is rather simple and just about self-explanatory judging by its name. You simply place the dog/cat’s nail into the opening of the clippers. Once you squeeze the grips together, the blade will slide from the back to the front of the clippers thus slicing the nail.

For enhanced ease of use and comfort, the handles come with powder-coated grips that ensure a no-slip grip. The blade replacement technology by Resco makes it possible for you to replace the blade if it becomes dull rather than investing in a new set of clippers. Resco even offers a 100% lifetime warranty if you ever experience problems with your clipper.

Depending on the size of your pet, you can choose either small or large sized clippers. The small or regular size is generally preferable for dogs weighing up to 50 pounds while the large one is best for dogs weighing 50 pounds and above.

8. Safari Guillotine Nail Trimmer

Guillotine clippers are best suited to smaller breeds where precision matters. Heading over to Safari, there’s a different style of clipper designed for small ails but features the same high-quality cuts and stainless-steel blades.

The interesting thing about the Safari Guillotine Nail trimmer is the fact that you can use it in the right or left hand with ease. This is important since it can be hard enough to get your pet into a position that’s comfortable where the nail is easily reachable. You should find a position that suits their needs more than your dexterity, which means that the shape is a definite bonus.

9. Quick Finder Nail Clipper

Buyers need to be wary of any product that claims to be capable of sensing the quick on dark nails since they have still not yet been perfected. The Quick Finder Nail Clipper is an excellent example of this. On paper, is sounds great since it comes with a sensor as well as a color changing light that informs you when it is safe to make the cut. The only problem is that it does not always work each time and the lights are not very visible. The position of your hands, the dog, and the clipper are all of great importance for a successful session, which means that you simply can’t turn your clipper and paw just to see a light.

Why It’s Important To Trim A Dog’s Nails?

Many pet owners out there avoid trimming their dog’s nails. What they don’t know is that this is an important part of a dog’s health and is something that each and every dog owner should consider. You can either do the trimming by yourself or look for a groomer to do it every month.

Dogs living in the wild have short nails as they walk across different terrains such as rocks and other hard surfaces. Such terrains act like nail files and keep the dog’s nails short. This cannot be said of domesticated dogs as they live a different lifestyle and spend most of their time indoors or running on soft surfaces such as the yard or dirt and grass at a dog park.

Their nails do not travel across hard surfaces and as a result, don’t wear down and you have to trim them instead. When left to their own devices, a dog’s nails can grow very quickly and become too long. It is not good for a dog’s nails to grow too long as this can lead to a number of conditions.

Nails that are too long are likely to break and when this happens, the soft inner cuticle of the nail (the quick) is exposed. An exposed pain is usually painful to a dog and also leaves a dog more vulnerable to infection. Nails that are too long can make things such as walking or standing painful for a dog.

This is because of the fact that long nails constantly push against the ground and exert pressure back into the nail bed. This is not only painful but it also puts pressure on the toe joints and leads to an unnatural gait. After some time, it can change the alignment of the joints of the affected dog’s foreleg.

Further realignment of the foreleg’s joints can make a dog’s foot look flattened and splays the toes hence leading to a near-permanent deformity. In some extreme cases, the nail can completely curl under the foot, embedding itself in the affected dog’s paw. Nails help provide traction as a dog walks or runs.

Excessively long nails can reduce traction hence causing a dog to slip when walking on hard surfaces. This can be problematic especially in older dogs who are usually more likely to seriously hurt themselves when they fall. Trimming your dog’s nails on a regular basis can also be safer for your legs and furniture.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Dog Nail Clippers for Your Dog?

* Types of Dog Nail Clippers

There are 3 common types of nail trimmers for dogs and other animals.

Scissor types

With scissor types of clippers, you will have to exert a large amount of mechanical force on the nails of your pet. These trimmers are available in two varieties: larger ones and smaller ones.

Smaller dog nail clippers are ideal for smaller animals while larger nail clippers are ideal for large animals. Choose these clippers based on the size of your animal. Just like other trimmer types, these clippers have some pros and cons

Grinding tool hammers

These types of trimmers consist of an emery board or sandpaper which is used to easily grind down a pet’s nails. Some of them can be attached to tools found around your house while others are standalone units.

Guillotine Types

This type of clippers are spring loaded and fit over the end of a dog’s nails. To trim your pet’s nails using these clippers, close the handles and the blade will cut through the nail in a clean way. They are quite handy to have and many groomers and veterinarians like them as they can also be used for cats.

* Blade quality

The most important factor to consider when buying a nail clipper is the quality of the steel used for the blades. A good blade is made of high-quality stainless steel which will remain sharp and rust free and ensure that the blade is free for safe trimming. This is important since sharp blades will create a clean, painless cut for your dog. Choosing trimmers that dull easily can increase the risk of crushing your dog’s nail.

* Comfort

Look for a nail clipper that is comfortable to hold. So consider a nail clipper with an anti-slip grip or rubberized handle to get something that is comfortable to hold. Longer handles provide more leverage to enable you to easily cut the nails.

* Safety Features

Some of the scissor clippers have a quick guard which helps prevent over-trimming of nails. There are dog owners who prefer the quick guard while other dog owners believe that it prevents accurate trimming. It is up to you to decide whether or not to use a guard. However, it may be a good idea to use a quick guard if you are nervous or new to trimming dog’s nails.

FAQ

How Often Should I Trim My Dog’S Nails?

In most cases, it is a good idea to trim your dog’s nails after 1 or 2 months. Trim your dog’s nails when they start producing a clicking sound whenever your dog walks. The front nails of dogs usually grow faster than back nails. Therefore, you should trim the front nails more regularly than the back nails.

However just like anything else, how often you should trim your dog’s nails will depend on the following factors:

Activity
A dog that walks on the pavement from time to time will not need to have their nails trimmed more often as pavements can file a dog’s nails and keep them short.

Age
Younger dogs walk more often than older dogs. So, it is a good idea to trim an older dog’s nails more often than a younger dog’s nails. A younger dog’s nails are naturally worn during walks and you, therefore, don’t have to do trimming on a regular basis.

Environment
An active dog that walks on dirt or grass will still have long nails as such surfaces are not hard enough to keep a dog’s nails short. However, an active dog that walks on hard surfaces such as sidewalks, asphalt, and other rough surfaces will have its nails worn out.

Breed
The nails of some dog breeds grow more quickly than other breeds and may need to be trimmed more often. Small dogs like Chihuahuas that spend most of their time indoors should always have short nails.

Nail length
When your dog’s nails become quite long, you should cut them every 2 or 3 weeks to help wear down the quicks (if you cut close to the quick, it will encourage shrinking back of the quick). Nails that are too long should be cut a little bit at a time instead of cutting them short all at once.

Is it good to use any tools or scissors I have?

Even though using any tools or scissors around your home can help you save money, you should remember that all scissors are not created equal. Therefore, only use quality dog nail trimmers to trim your dog’s nails.

Trying to use workshop cutters or kitchen scissors to trim your dog’s nails increases cross-contamination risk, either dog to human or human to dog. Using the same scissors you use to open a package of bacon to trim your dog’s nails is definitely not a good idea.

How to Cut a Dog’s Nails?

* Tools Needed to Trim a Dog’s Nails

1.Nail Clippers
There are different kinds of dog nail clippers on the market including pliers-style nail clipper ideal for larger dog breeds, guillotine style nail clipper which is easy to use and ideal for smaller breeds, and a scissors-type nail clipper.

2.Treats
It may be a good idea to reward your dog after trimming its nails to make the experience more positive for you and for your dog.

3.Styptic Powder or Other Clotting Powder
This is important in case you cut your dog’s nails too short and your dog bleeds. If you are in a bind, consider baking flour, baking soda, and cornstarch.

* Cut Your Dog’S Nails

A dog’s toenail consists of the nail itself and the quick, the pink (when it is visible) part of a dog’s toenails which supplies blood to the dog’s toenails. Try as much as possible to avoid cutting into the quick as it is sensitive and bleeds quite a bit.

If you would like to trim your dog’s nails by yourself, ask a groomer or your veterinarian to show you how to trim dog’s nails to the right length. If it is not possible for you to trim all your dog’s nails at once, don’t worry as you can trim one paw at a time with a resting period or other activities in between.

* To trim your dog’s nails:

1. Hold your dog’s feet steadily but in a gentle manner.

2. Snip off a small bit of the end of each toenail. Using a scissor-type or guillotine clipper to place only a tiny bit of your dog’s nail into the clipper and snip. If your dog’s nails feel spongy when doing this, stop as it means that you are cutting the quick.

3. Stop any bleeding immediately. Cutting the quick or quicking makes a dog unhappy and leads to a bloody mess. The quick usually bleeds a lot when cut. So, if you accidentally cut it, use a nail cauterizer – a tool used to stop bleeding by applying heat or apply styptic power using a cotton swab.

Have a damp washcloth nearby to clean up styptic power and blood when necessary. If you are going to use a nail grinder instead of clippers, use the same method that is; hold your dog’s foot, turn on the grinder, and grind a little of every nail.

What Should I Do If I Cut My Dog’s Nails Too Short?

Some dog owners who are trimming a dog’s nails for the first time wonder what will happen if they cut the dog’s nails too short. When you cut a dog’s nails too short, it is likely that the dog will bleed.

Therefore, it is good to be prepared beforehand by having emergency supplies around. This will help you stop bleeding within the shortest time possible, save your carpets from stains, relieve the pain and reduce the likelihood of a nail infection.

If the bleeding is minor, rub a bar of clean, scent-free soap over the affected area. If your dog is steadily bleeding, wrap ice within the paper towel or compressed cloth to reduce the blood flow. After doing this, cup your hand and pour some cornstarch or styptic powder (with or without baking soda) into your palm.

Dip the dog’s bleeding nail into the powder in a gentle manner. Repeat this step if bleeding does not stop. Avoid wiping away any blood before dipping since this will encourage coagulation. Once bleeding stops, continue compressing the wound using a paper towel or cloth but avoid squeezing your dog’s paw. Try to keep the dog off its feet for at least a half an hour.

Once dog nail bleeding has stopped completely, wash the affected nail using lukewarm water and bandage to prevent any infection and licking. If you cannot control bleeding after 20-30 minutes, it means that blood is not clotting properly and it may be time to call your veterinarian. Also contact your vet if your dog’s toe becomes red and swollen after trimming its nails and does not improve after a few days.

How can I tell where the quick is if my dog has dark nails?

The quick (the pink looking part) can be seen clearly when a dog has clear nails. However, the quick cannot be clearly seen when a dog has dark nails. If your dog has dark nails, trim a tiny amount of the nail every time while looking at the end of your dog’s nail after each cut. When you see a little black circle emerging in the center of the nail, you are approaching the quick and it is time to stop trimming.

Conclusion

Some trimmers may be more ideal for you than others.

For larger dogs, it may be a good idea to consider the Epica which can effectively deal with tough dog nails and can even trim the toughest nails in the best way possible. It is a scissor type clipper designed to make it hard to cut into the quick when trimming nails. The Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmers are ideal for medium mutts. 

Resco Original Deluxe Dog and Cat Nail/Claw Clippers (a guillotine style clipper) is ideal for smaller dog and cat owners. They are highly recommended by many professionals.

However, if you would like to use a grinder, consider URPOWER Rechargeable Pet Nail Grinder. This Grinder is a standalone rotary grinder that can be used for any dog size and can make things easy for any dog owner out there. 

Scissor Types: Editor’s Choice

Grinding Tool Trimmers: Editor’s Choice

Grinding Tool Trimmers: Editor’s Choice

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Rating by Author / Affiliate links, Images, Descriptions & Price from Amazon Product Advertising API