The most important thing dog owners can do when selecting the right clipper is to make sure it's the right size for the dog. The biggest danger to your dog is accidentally cutting into the nail's quick, so make sure the clipper has a quick guard, as a failsafe against overcutting.

Since this is a cutting tool, it goes without saying that the blade should be high-quality stainless steel, resistant to dulling, bacteria, and rust and while special features are nice (such as emery boards tucked into the handle!), safety is of utmost importance. The handle is squeezed to descend a blade that chops the nail off vertically, as opposed to horizontally. Guillotines: Like the name suggests, these clippers feature a hole that the nail fits through. Grinders: This electric option uses a rotating, emery board type wheel, as opposed to a blade, to gradually grind bits of nail off. Ideally, they also contain a quick stop guard, to keep you from slicing into a nerve. Scissors: The most common kind of cutter, these plier-style tools, have steel blades that snip off bits of the nail when the handle is squeezed. There are several different types of dog nail trimmers we evaluated for this guide. What to Know About Buying Dog Nail Clippers Scissor-style dog nail clippers are the most common type you can buy. A clearly delineated safety guard ensures you don’t nick your dog’s quick-the delicate cluster of nerves and blood vessels that appears as a dark circle just beyond where the pure, nerve-free nail ends. Your dog will probably deserve to go out for a walk after cutting his or her nails anyways, right?Īfter looking at the best nail clippers for dogs, we found that the best ones will cut through even the thickest nails in an instant. If you’re a new dog owner or are just looking to upgrade all of your pet’s equipment, then it may not be a bad idea to add a great dog collar and dog leash to your dog’s pile of gear as well. And if that’s the variety you choose, you can’t do better than the ultra-durable Epica Professional Nail Clipper Plier-type scissors are the most traditional style. That’s why getting the right tool for nail trimming is an absolute necessity-whether that means a super-sharp set of scissors, smooth and efficient guillotine clippers, or a gentle, low-intimidation dog nail grinder, like a Dremel. Because it requires broaching their tender paws with blades, it makes having a scared and squirmy subject all the more fraught.

Of all of the jobs we stopped outsourcing since the coronavirus pandemic hithave taking care of our dogs, cutting our dog'sbest friend's nails just might be the most stressful.Īfter all, it’s the rare pup that eagerly responds to a claw clip the way we humans might enjoy a relaxing pedicure. Sarah Zorn, staff writer, and product tester who's known to give great gifts.

Dremel dog nail clipper