One of the more unpleasant facets of dog ownership, right up there with picking up after them, is trimming dog nails. Even with the help of sedatives, almost no dog willingly tolerates a nail trimming. Most dogs will squirm and fight you even before they know the true perils. The first time you cut the quick could very well be the last time you let yourself go through that ordeal. That being said, taking them to a professional dog nail cutter gets expensive. The rate is usually somewhere between $15 and $25 dollars for something that has to be done just about monthly. Learn how to cut your dog’s nails and save yourself some money with our best dog nail clippers.
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1. Epica #1 Best Professional Pet Nail Clippers
Pros:- Protective guard
- Lock
- Rubber coated soft-grip handle
- Available in two sizes
Cons:- Some units experience the nail guard slipping (manufacturer is responsive and quick to replace them)
- May be too bulky for small nails
- May not have the clipping strength of other units
- Handles give a little when applying pressure
Not only are these well-rated at 4.8 of five stars, that rating comes courtesy of a staggering 3,700 plus reviews. These clippers find the sweet spot of value and function, offering a nail guard and rubberized handles despite more expensive options lacking these. These are definitely a value offering, with some complaints of the nail guard slipping, but customer service is responsive and quick to offer replacements should you have any issues.
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2. Safari 770045 Professional Dog Nail Trimmer
Pros:- Inexpensive
- Lock
- Rubber coated soft-grip handle
- Available in two sizes
Cons:- Somewhat large for people with small hands
- Not as sharp as some other models
- Guard isn’t as robust as it could be
- Even the smaller size might not work if you want one pair of clippers for your dog and cat
Like the Epicas above, this pair from Safari have an excellent rating even with over 5,000 reviews. The smaller set is also less expensive. The nail guard on these isn’t quite as good, but some trade off is to be expected for a cheap set of clippers. Ultimately, the design is very similar to the Epica set, though the Safari name is better known.
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3. Resco Original Deluxe Dog and Cat Nail/Claw Clippers
Pros:- Guillotine-style blade may be preferable for some
- Replaceable blade
- Powder-coated metal construction
- Available in two sizes
Cons:- Some find this mechanism difficult to use
- More prone to jamming than other styles
- Rubber handles may slip off on some units
- Mixed reviews on initial sharpness of the blade
If the scissor style clippers don’t work for you, try this option which swaps the blade for a guillotine-style mechanism. Some find it easier to see what they’re doing, which can obviously make the process easier. These come in two sizes, as well as different colors. In addition to the yellow ones featured here, you can get the original silver or purple, red, or blue.
Buy the Resco Original Deluxe Dog and Cat Nail/Claw Clippers here.
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4. Furminator Nail Clipper for Dogs & Cats
Pros:- Quick guard is adjustable
- Non-slip handle
- Anti-microbial plastic reduces bacteria
- Handles are comfortable for various sized hands
Cons:- In-between size might not work for all pets
- Blades may dull quickly
- Adjustable quick guard leaves open the possibility of setting it incorrectly
- Safety re-latches between cuts
Furminator are well known for their dog grooming products — we included them on our best dog shedding brushes list. These have a slightly different form factor to the others, including bulkier handles, which are better for some folks. Also, the quick guard is adjustable, unlike most other options. They’re sized to try to address all cats and dogs, so they may not work smallest and largest animals.
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5. Millers Forge Quality Nail Clipper
Pros:- Heavy duty Italian blades
- Long handles allow for better leverage
- Non-slip handles
- Able to cut on both sides of the blade
Cons:- No quick guard
- Recommended for dogs over 40 pounds only
- Requires a bit more hand strength
- Some units ship with somewhat dull blades
This options from Millers Forge are the old school style of dog nail trimmers. There’s no quick guard on here, so these are better for experienced dog owners. They’re made in Italy with heavy duty blades that can cut on both sides. If you want something no-frills, this is the way to go, especially for larger dogs.
In addition to these, the company also makes a plier-style model.
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6. Dremel 7300-PT 4.8V Pet Grooming Kit
Pros:- 45-degree angle guide
- Two speeds — 6,500 and 13,000 RPM
- Easily-sourced replacement sanding discs
- High-quality Dremel product
Cons:- Somewhat pricey
- You may get similar results with the less expensive Dremel MiniMite
- Nail guide somewhat difficult to attach
- Some have better luck with other Dremel sanding bits
Dremel fans will no doubt already know that their handy rotary tool can be used to cut dog nails. While you can use just about any of the standard Dremel sanding bits (in fact, some reviewers recommend that you do), they’ve released this model specifically aimed at dog owners. The difference is the 45-degree angle nail guide that attaches to the top of the tool. This makes for precise trimming, which is accomplished quickly thanks the fast speed of the tool.
To be fair, some found that the special attachment actually made things harder. If that’s the case, check out the Dremel MiniMite, which is cheaper and uses the same sanding discs.
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7. Furminator Nail Grinder Professional Grooming Tool for Pets
Pros:- Slightly more compact than the Dremel
- Automatic LED helps illuminate your work
- Two speeds — 6,000 and 12,000 RPM
- Anti-microbial plastic reduces bacteria
Cons:- Not rechargeable unless you purchase rechargeable AA batteries
- Somewhat slower than the Dremel
- Louder than other options
- Requires a small screwdriver to remove the cup guide, which fills with nail filings
For just a few dollars more than the brand’s own dog nail clippers, Furminator offers this nail grinding tool. Like the Dremel, it has two speeds, but both are slower than the competitor unit. The plastic nail guard may be handy for some, but it must be removed using a screwdriver to clean. Still, with the automatic LED light and anti-microbial plastic, this model offers a couple of nice touches that aren’t found elsewhere at a price closer to the bottom end of the scale.
Buy the Furminator Nail Grinder Professional Grooming Tool for Pets here.
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