Alexandra Ramirez
We spent over 45 hours researching and testing more than 10 different types of pet nail trimmers and found that ease of use, performance, and safety for the pet were the most important factors for consumers shopping for pet nail trimmers. Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmer scored high marks in all categories and is our overall top pick. These stainless steel pet trimmers have super strong blades that are durable and sharp and cut through pets’ nails quickly and easily. The trimmers have a quick stop feature that prevents the pet from being injured by the quick of the nail getting nicked. The handles have cushioned grips that make it comfortable to handle.
1. Safari
Best Overall Pet Nail Trimmer
5/5 Product Rating
These pet nail clippers by Safari are professional grade clippers that are popular with pet owners for their ease of use and their affordability.
They are made from stainless steel with sharp, super strong blades that are durable and easy to use. They will cut through your pet’s nails quickly so your pet doesn’t have to be restrained for long.
One of the popular safety features these Safari nail trimmers offers is a quick stop that prevents the pet’s quick from being cut; something that can ruin your pet for sitting still when it is time to trim their nails.
The handles of these nail trimmers are cushioned for comfort and easy handling. You can choose from small or large trimmers so you match the trimmer with the size pet you are trimming. This professional nail trimmer is perfect for dogs and cats of all sizes and makes nail trimming easy and stress-free.
– Jennifer Abel
2. Hertzko
Best Overall Pet Nail Trimmer – Runner Up
4.7/5 Product Rating
This high quality nail grinder is a different kind of trimmer that appeals to the techy pet owners. It is an excellent choice for those who are worried about using clippers.
It is lightweight and small and very pet-friendly. It includes a USB charger which means it can be charged anywhere you want to charge it.
This nail grinder is a lot safer to use than traditional nail trimmers because there is no risk of cutting the claws too short and hitting the quick. The grinder works like an easy-to-use file.
The Hertzko nail grinder comes with three different sizes ports: small, medium, and large. It features a silent motor so you pet does not become afraid while you are using it.
– Jennifer Abel
3. Pet Republique
4.4/5 Product Rating
These professional nail clippers from Pet Republique is the perfect clipper to use for all your pets including rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, or ferrets. This easy to use nail clipper set produces a precision cut even on the smallest animals.
The sturdy, sharp stainless steel blades will last for years and provide the same precise and quick results that they did when you first too them out of the box.
Consumers will get a 30 day money back guarantee and the product comes with a 2 year limited warranty as well.
A unique thing that this company does is to donate 15% of the profits to the American Animal Rescue Society that is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming dogs and cats in need.
– Jennifer Abel
Pet Nail Trimmer Buying Guide
Types of Pet Nail Trimmers
There are three main types of nail trimmers available to choose from. We have listed all three styles below along with some basic information about each type so you can decide which one appeals to you the most.
Scissor Style – One of the most common styles of pet nail trimmers is the scissor style. It is a favorite with most pet owners because it is so easy to handle and use even around fidgety pets that may not like getting their nails done. You can use these scissor style nail trimmers exactly like you use regular scissors which is why they are so popular with pet owners. They don’t look like regular scissors but have the same operation procedure. There is a small hole where the nail is inserted and the semi-circle blade cuts the part that is stuck through the hole. Scissor-style nail trimmers are usually very small which makes them a better choice for small dogs, cats, and other little animals. Many companies have different sized scissor trimmers that you can choose from which makes it possible to get a couple of different sizes if you have different sized-animals.
Guillotine Style – Another common style of nail trimmer is the guillotine style nail trimmer. Although they have been replaced in popularity by the scissor-style trimmers they are still widely available and some pet owners prefer using them. The nail of the pet is inserted into a hole and the handles are squeezed to engage the blade and cut the nail. Guillotine style nail trimmers have a few disadvantages such as not always cutting properly so the nail has to be recut, and the blades can oftentimes wear out quickly, especially when cutting large animal nails.
File Grinders – Another great choice for keeping your pets’ nails trimmed is growing in popularity due to its ease of use and pain-free method and that is the grinder or file trimmer. Grinders work by filing down the nail and there is no cutting at all. The rotary blade files down long nails easily and without any pain for your pet. Many models are designed to be noise-free so even the sound of the motor doesn’t bother them. The grinder may cost more than the other types but if you have several pets or you really worry about hurting your pet with the traditional methods, it is worth the extra money to get a good quality grinder.
There are several things you want to consider when you are searching for a pet nail trimmer. We have listed these considerations below so you will know exactly what to look for once you start shopping around.
Durability – Look for nail trimmers that have high quality stainless steel blades. Blades made from stainless steel are more durable than other metals and they are easy to clean as well. You can expect a good pair of stainless steel nail trimmers to last years. Look for sturdy hinges and handles and avoid products that look flimsy and easy to break especially if you are trimming the nails of a larger dog or cat.
Pet’s Size – How big or small is your pet? The size of your pet will determine the size of the nail trimmers you need. If you have a tiny dog, a small cat or other type of small animal you will not need a pet nail trimmer that can trim a Great Dane. If you are trimming a large dog look for scissor style trimmers which are easier to use with large dogs. If you have a medium sized dog or cat the guillotine style trimmer is a good choice.
Comfort – Look for a pet nail trimmer that is comfortable to hold. This will ensure that you have a much easier time when it comes to trimming your pet’s nails. Cushioned handles will make the trimmers much more comfortable to hold but you don’t want it to be too soft. Some nail trimmers have styptic powder ends in case the nail is cut too short but it is preferable to look for nail trimmers that have a quick stop safety feature to protect the pet from having their nails trimmed too short. If you have large hands you don’t want to choose a pet nail trimmer that will be hard to hold because it is too small but the most important thing regarding size is that it fits the size of the pet.
Quality of the Blade – The blade is the most important part of a pet mail trimmer so when you are shopping you should ensure that the models you look at have high quality blades that are made from stainless steel. Look for features including rust-free, long lasting, and sharp. A sharp blade will make the nail trimming much easier since the nail will be cut so quickly. You can also look for models that you can re-sharpen yourself so you don’t have worry about spending money on a professional sharpening job.
Easy to Use – If a pet nail trimmer is hard to use the chances of hurting or scaring you pet increases and it the likelihood that you will avoid using it is also probable. Look for anti-slip grips and longer handles which are easier to maneuver than short handles. Many of the styles of pet nail trimmers are not really hard to use. What makes them difficult is if your pet struggles and you have to try and work the nail trimmer and hold a squirming pet as well. If your pet doesn’t like having its nails trimmed, you may find that the grinder style of nail trimmer is the best and easiest to use.
Warranty or Money Back Guarantee – this is definitely a product where you want to ensure you have a warranty and/or satisfaction guarantee. If there is anything wrong with your pet nail trimmer having a warranty in place will protect you and allow you to get a replacement trimmer or get your money back completely. Make sure that you know what the warranty entails and what you need to do to keep it active. If there are any questions about the warranty on your chosen pet nail trimmers just call the customer service department and ask them to explain the warranty guidelines. Most companies are happy to do this for their customers.
Customer Comments – If you really want to know how a pet nail trimmer stacks up check out the customer comments. Customers that have purchased a pet nail trimmer will usually be more than happy to review it and tell people about their experiences. This enables you to get insider information on sturdiness, ease of use, durability, and performance; all important things to know before spending your hard earned money. Don’t just read one customer complaint and rule a product out. It is impossible to please 100% of the customers 100% of the time. What you are looking for is an overall star-rating of no less than 4 and many more favorable reviews from users than there are negative ones.
Conclusion
Keeping your pet’s nails trimmed is an important part of grooming them and keeping them safe and healthy. Long nails on a cat or dog can cause them to get snagged on fabric, carpeting, or furniture and rip the nail off completely. Pets with long nails can also scratch children accidentally. If you work with your pet on a regular basis and use a nail trimming method that doesn’t scare them or accidently hurt them your pet will learn to sit quietly for their manicure and pedicure.
There are several different types of pet nail trimmers on the market that you can choose from. Keep in mind that the type of trimmer you choose should match the size of the pet you have for the best results and easiest experience for everyone involved.
There is no need to become confused by the different types of nail trimmers. We have three top-rated nail trimmers reviewed above that cover all three styles of nail trimmers so you can take a look at all of them and see which ones appeal to you the most. All three of these top-rated selections are made from premium materials and are built to last a long time. If you are looking for a fast solution to your pet nail trimming needs, any one of these products will do the trick.
The information we have provided in the buying guide has provided you with the considerations and things to look for when you start shopping as well as describing the three different styles of nail trimmers on the market so you understand the difference between them. This important information will make sorting through all of the different models and types easy so you can eliminate the ones that you are not interested in and narrow down the field.
Taking care of your pet’s needs is important as a pet owner. Having the right high quality tools to get this done makes the job that much easier so you and your pet or pets will not dread this activity. Choosing a nail trimmer you like and find easy to use can enable nail trimming time to become a bonding time with your pet that ends in them receiving a special treat.
