What Type of Nail Clippers are Best for Dogs?

Is it OK to Cut Your Own Dog’s Nails?

Yes, cutting nails on your dog is okay. In fact, proper nail care is an important part of the grooming routine.

When taking care of your dog’s nails, there are three types of nail clippers or trimmers to consider – scissor nail clippers (or plier clippers), guillotine nail clippers, and grinder nail trimmers. Using nail clippers is faster and more affordable than trimmers. However, dog clippers are also more likely to splinter the nail.

When using dog nail clippers, it is advisable to keep styptic powder on hand. That way, you can be prepared in case you accidentally cut the quick (the powder will stop the bleeding).

The Best Dog Nail Clippers Reviewed

There are dozens of nail-cutting pet products on Amazon, Chewy, and Walmart. To help pet owners find the right option among the plethora of brands (Safari, Boshel, Furminator, WAHL, Dudi, Resco, Dremel, Millers Forge), we have reviewed the best dog nail clippers on the market.

BOSHEL Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer Professional Set

Summary: A high-quality and sturdy nail clipper. The Boshel nail clipper for dogs is made with a 3.5 mm thick stainless-steel blade that efficiently clips even hard nails. The clipper handles are easy to grip and non-slip in nature, ensuring a user-friendly nail-cutting experience. The clippers contain a safety stop on top of the blade to prevent quick injuries and bleeding. The clipper is suitable for small dogs, medium dogs, and large dogs.

Style: Scissor clippers

Material: Stainless steel blade

Pros
  • Razor-sharp, stainless steel blade
  • Non-slip handles for good grip
  • A safety stop serves as a quick sensor
  • Ensure clean cut with every use
  • Recommended by professionals
Cons
  • Often out of stock due to high demand

Review: Based on 46,585 global ratings, this pet product has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Dog owners love its safety feature and efficiency in clipping nails.

Safari Professional Stainless Steel Nail Trimmer

Summary: The Safari Professional Nail Trimmer is an easy-to-handle professional-grade pet tool. It features a high-quality stainless-steel blade that ensures quick and precise trimming for maximum nail care. The trimmer’s handles have an ergonomic design for the perfect practical and controlled grip. The clipper comes with a safety stop to avoid injury to your pet’s paws.

Style: Scissor clippers

Material: Stainless steel blade

Pros
  • Professional-grade stainless steel blades
  • Ergonomic handles for easy use
  • Safety stop to prevent quick injuries
  • For nail trimming and maintenance
  • Available in a set of two clippers
Cons
  • Needs oiling for smooth performance

Review: Based on 60 global ratings, this dog nail clipper has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers have labeled this as “worth the money” and a “must buy” product.

Dudi Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer

Summary: A professional-grade nail clipper and filer set. The stainless-steel blades are 6.5 inches long; thus, they are also suitable for large breed dogs. The handles are designed for a strong grip. This clipper is equipped with a safety lock for preventing unwanted cuts. The safety lock also prevents the nails from being cut too short. This product has a lifetime warranty.

Style: Scissor clippers

Material: Stainless steel blade

Pros
  • Stainless steel blades
  • Safety stop for injury prevention
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Effortless nail trimming
  • Locks closed when not in use
Cons
  • May not be comfy for owners with large hands

Review: Based on 19,512 global ratings, this pet product has an average grade of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Dog owners “highly recommend” this product and state that it works well for thick nails.

gonicc Dog & Cat Pets Nail Clippers and Trimmers

Summary: A high-quality dog nail clipper for maximum safety during nail care. This clipper is built with stainless steel material that is immune to rusting. The steel blade is coated with anti-rust oil to boost its longevity. Plus, it contains a safety stop blade for maximum protection.

Style: Scissor clippers

Material: Stainless steel blade

Pros
  • Stainless steel blade with an anti-rust coating
  • Safety stop guard to prevent over-cutting
  • Ergonomically designed non-slip handles
  • Nail file conveniently stored in the handle
  • Professional-grade grooming tool for pets
Cons
  • Blades might not be sharp enough for very thick nails

Review: Based on 47,529 global ratings, this dog nail clipper has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Customers love its safety lock mechanism and high quality.

Bretheil Dog Nail Clippers Trimmer Set

Summary: A complete nail grooming set to give your dog a salon-like experience at home. This product set contains three different nail clippers and one nail filer in an easy-to-store box. The nail clippers are of three different sizes to accommodate nails with increasing thickness. Each clipper is equipped with a safety buffer for avoiding cuts and injuries. The clipper handles are coated with soft rubber for an easy grip.

Style: Scissor clippers

Material: Stainless Steel

Pros
  • Set of three dog nail clippers
  • Made with stainless steel blades
  • Adjustable safety buffer
  • Provides comfortable grip
  • Comes with a special storage bag
Cons
  • The plastic handles might not be very sturdy

Review: Based on 1,244 global ratings, this dog nail trimmer has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Customers love the set box and claim it works well for even large breed dogs.

JBONEST Dog Nail Clippers and Grinder Set

Summary: A set of three nail care tools – regular scissors or plier-style nail clippers, an electric nail trimmer or grinder, and a nail file. The dog clippers are sturdy and easy to handle with razor-sharp stainless steel blades. The electric trimmer is rechargeable and has a diamond bit grinder. The nail file is used for a smooth nail finish. The set is fit for dogs of all sizes – it can easily cut through the small and soft nails of Chihuahuas and the thick large dog nails of Great Danes.

Style: Scissor clippers

Material: Diamond bit grinder, stainless steel clipper

Pros
  • A set nail file, clippers, and electric grinder
  • Razor-sharp, stainless steel blades
  • Ensure a professional groomer experience
  • Can be used for both small dogs and large dogs
  • The nail grinder is rechargeable and has low-noise
Cons
  • More expensive than similar products

Review: Based on 4,338 global ratings, this pet product has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Pet owners love its innovative features and low noise performance.

Pawsibility Reinvented Pet Nail Clippers with LED Light

Summary: This grooming tool is a high-quality product with precise cuts and a smooth finish. This product set contains an LED light that makes the bloodlines inside the nails visible. This ensures no cuts and injuries during the clipping. This product has a built-in nail filer and a nail storage box for a mess-free grooming session.

Style: Scissor clippers

Material: Stainless steel

Pros
  • Stainless steel blades for clean cuts
  • LED light for better visibility
  • In-built nail file for a smooth finish
  • Come with a nail storage box
  • Free bandana with every purchase
Cons
  • No safety lock for quick injury prevention

Review: Based on 2,610 global ratings, this pet product has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Dog owners state that it works great for thick nails and highly recommend it after consistent use.

How do I Choose Nail Clippers for My Dog?

As a pet owner, here are the main things that you need to look for in a nail groomer for your dog grooming, as recommended by veterinarians:

  • Material. Stainless steel material is the best for nail clippings. Stainless steel is resistant to rust and also doesn’t encourage bacterial growth.
  • Sturdiness. Large size dog nails are naturally very thick. The dog nail grinder blades must be strong enough to cut through it. It is also important that the clipper handles are sturdy so you don’t lose your grip.
  • Durability. The pet nail clippers will be used frequently (dog nails grow fast), so choosing a durable clipper with high-quality material is important.
  • Sharpness. Sharp blades provide a clean and smooth cut, whereas dull blades require a lot of pressure which may hurt your large dog. We recommend choosing sharp stainless-steel blades.
  • Safety Lock. Ensure that your nail clipper has any safety lock. This is extremely important to guarantee that your dog is safe from cuts or quick injuries.
Best Seller
BOSHEL Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer Professional Set
9.8/10Our Score
  • Recommended by experts and loved by customers, these pet nail clippers are the top choice on Amazon for medium and large dogs and cats.
  • With premium 3.5mm stainless steel blades, these nail clippers effortlessly trim your pet's nails in a single cut.
  • Features comfortable, easy grip, non-slip, ergonomic handles which stay safely in place in your hands to ensure ease of use.

What is the Best Way to Clip a Dog’s Nails?

Cutting nails on your dog can be a pleasant experience.

However, to prevent anxiety and keep the cutting simple and easy, you need to get your dog used to the process while still a young puppy. It also helps to have dog food or treats on hand.

For dogs that are extra sensitive to pedicure sessions, we recommend using the Honest Paws Calm CBD. The supplement will help the dog relax. This will make the nail cutting easier and reduce the risk of quick injuries.

Here are some easy-to-follow steps on how to perform a dog nail clipping:

  • Pick up your dog’s paw and hold it firmly with appropriate pressure in your hands
  • Use your thumb to pull their fur away from their nails
  • Focus on one nail at a time
  • Starting cutting the nail at the tip, including the declaws inside the nail
  • Avoid clipping too near the curved area of the nail as it is full of blood vessels
  • You can use a nail file tool in a repeated curved motion on your dog’s nail tip for smoother and rounded edges.
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Honest Paws Calm CBD Oil for Dogs
10/10Our Score
  • Formulated to promote calmness and relaxation
  • Full Spectrum CBD Oil 
  • Third Party Lab Tested
  • Made in the USA
Best Seller
Honest Paws Calm Soft Chews
10/10Our Score
  • Can help settle your furry friend’s nerves in as little as one hour.
  • Honest Paws Calm line is specifically formulated to promote relaxation in stressed out dogs.
  • Made with organic, full-spectrum hemp oil and other all-natural ingredients.
Best Seller
Honest Paws Calm Peanut Butter Jar
10/10Our Score
  • Contains organic full-spectrum hemp with naturally occurring CBD.
  • Help improve your dog’s behavior and support healthy brain function.
  • It provides protein and healthy fat to a dog's food intake.