The 7 Best Dog Nail Clippers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

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We tested 24 clippers and found the most effective ones

Fact checked by Sarah ScottReviewed by Nelva J. Bryant

A dog's nails should receive regular trims every three to four weeks to prevent discomfort when walking, and potential health complications, like infections from overgrown nails. Trimming a dog's nails at home, instead of visiting a veterinarian or a groomer, can be cost-effective if done correctly.

To make sure each nail is cut safely and effectively, you must avoid the sensitive nerve ending—known as the quick—embedded in the nail. Specialized dog clippers can help ensure you don't hurt your dog while clipping their nails.

We purchased 24 dog nail clippers for at-home testing with real dogs. There are three styles for dog nail clippers—plier, guillotine, and scissor—all designed to chop the nail tip. A grinder, or motorized nail file, can then smooth out the nail.

After weeks of testing, our overall favorite dog nail clipper is the Safari Professional Nail Trimmer. It's a plier-style tool, with a non-slip handle suitable for a right or left-handed grip, which leaves a clean cut. It's also suitable for beginners, with a safety stop guide to stay clear of the nail's quick.

Safari Professional Nail Trimmer

Best Overall

These clippers are strong, sharp, and durable, making them perfect for at-home nail maintenance.

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What We Like

• Dual-sided blades are sharp and leave a clean cut

• Handle is suitable for left or right hand use

• Available in two sizes

• 60-day manufacturer guarantee

What We Don't Like

• Safety stop gauge makes it difficult to get a full view of the nail

The Safari Professional Nail Trimmer has sharp double blades that meet in the middle providing a clean cut on nails so the experience, which most dogs do not enjoy, is over quickly.

The non-slip handles on the plier-style tool are designed to be comfortable for both left-hand and right-hand dominant use. A tension spring in the middle swiftly pushes the device open after each cut so nails are smooth, reducing the need to file. The clippers are available in two sizes, Small/Medium, which we used to trim the nails of a 60-pound Australian Shepard and a 15-pound Chihuahua, and Medium/Large.

A safety stop guide near the blades is designed to help you avoid cutting into the quick where sensitive nerves are found within the nail. From certain angles, the safety gauge reduced our visibility, but overall it is a useful preventative feature. For dogs with white nails, the quick may be pink and visible, but for dogs with darker-colored nails, the quick can be more difficult to see with the naked eye. When acclimating yourself to nail trimming, always start by trimming a minimal amount and then do a second round if needed.

For added safety, these sturdy nail clippers lock in the closed position to protect the integrity of the blades and to keep them from accidentally cutting something or someone. They also come with a 60-day guarantee from the manufacturer.

Price at time of publish: $15 (small/medium)

_{Style: Plier | Sizes: Small/medium, medium/large | Life Stage: All | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 4.7 x 2.6 inches (small/medium); 6.3 x 3.8 inches (medium/large) | Blade Type: Angled}

Millers Forge Nail Clipper

Best for Small Dogs

If you don't need any special features, you can't go wrong with these ultra-sharp, no-frills clippers.

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What We Like

• Sharp blades

• Non-slip coating on handles

• Securely lock shut when not in use

What We Don't Like

• Required more manual force when brand new than other plier-style clippers we tested

For small to medium paws, the Millers Forge Nail Clippers have sharp blades to slice through nails leaving a clean cut. The plier-style tool has plastic-coated handles to offer control and precision, reducing the chances of cracking a nail or leaving a rough edge. The spring-loaded device can be locked in the shut position for safety and to keep the blades sharp. This style is available in two sizes, medium, for smaller dogs, and large for dogs north of 60 pounds. At first, this set of dog nail clippers required more manual force from the grip than others, but that loosened over time with use as we acclimated to the process.

Price at time of publish: $17 (medium)

_{Style: Plier | Size: Medium, large | Life Stage: All | Material: Stainless steel, plastic Dimensions: 5.5 x 3 x 0.5 inches | Blade Type: Angle}

Epica Best Professional Pet Nail Clipper

Best for Big Dogs

These blades won't bend or snap, even when they're up against the tougher nails of large dog breeds.

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What We Like

• Sharp blades provide a clean cut and do not crush nails

• Easy to grip with one hand and maneuver

• Can be locked in open or close position

• Designed for dogs over 60-pounds

What We Don't Like

• If you have small hands, the plier-style grip might be uncomfortable

• The safety stop gauge makes it difficult to get a full view of the nail

For pawdicures on large to extra-large dogs, like a Great Dane or a Mastiff dog, the Epica Best Professional Pet Nail Clippers offer durability and dual-bladed sharpness required for a clean cut without the risk of crushing the nail.

These spring-loaded plier-style clippers have rubber-coated non-slip handles that make them easy to hold for most and maneuver with control. The stainless steel blades can be locked in the open or closed position and feature a safety stop guide to prevent over-cutting. As with most safety guides on clippers, it can feel as though the marker gets in the way at times, but it is effective in protecting the quick. The size of these clippers is proportional to the size of the dogs they are intended for (over 60 pounds), so if you have small hands, the width of the grip might be uncomfortable.

Price at time of publish: $11 (large)

_{Style: Plier | Sizes: Small/medium, large | Life Stage: All | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 9.5 x 3.7 x 0.8 inches | Blade Type: Angled}

Zen Clipper Precise Safer Pet Nail Trimmer

Best Adjustable

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What We Like

• Easy to make small adjustments in the blade to start small, avoiding the quick

• Curved handles provide a steady grip

• Sharp blades leave a clean cut

What We Don't Like

• Do not have a safety stop guide like other plier-style clippers

If you have different-sized dogs in your home (or a cat!), the Zen Clipper Precise Safter Nail Trimmer with adjustable blades makes it easy to accommodate a variety of nail sizes. To make sure you avoid the sensitive nerve endings in the nail, the opening between the blades can be reduced so it won't fit around the thicker part of a nail where the quick is found.

The pliers-style nail clippers have slightly curved rubber-coated handles that are easy to grip helping to maintain a steady hand. This nail-trimming tool is a great option for beginners because they allow you to start small, trimming a minimal amount, as you (and your dog) build confidence.

Price at time of publish: $27

_{Style: Pliers | Sizes: Regular, junior | Life Stage: Adult | Material: Metal, stainless steel | Dimensions: 7 x 3 x 1 inches inches | Blade Type: Angeled}

Resco Deluxe Pet Nail Clippers

Best Guillotine Clippers

These guillotine-style clippers have super-sharp blades to protect your pet's nails from splitting or splintering as you clip.

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What We Like

• Provides a clean cut and prevents nails from splitting or splintering

• Replaceable blades increase longevity

• Rubber handle provides firm grip

What We Don't Like

• Not recommended for beginners because this style takes practice for proper use

Guillotine nail clippers allow you to cut through your dog’s nails using less pressure, but the style is difficult to master so we don't recommend it for beginners. If are comfortable using guillotine nail clippers, the Resco Deluxe Dog Nail Clippers are a reliable choice for cutting dog nails quickly and cleanly.

Like all guillotine-style nail clippers, this model from Resco has a hole indicating where to place the nail, and when the handle is squeezed, an internal blade comes up to trim the nail. The rubber-coated handle makes it easy to grip and the blades can be replaced, extending the lifetime of the clippers.

Price at time of publish: $25

_{Style: Guillotine | Size: Medium, large | Life Stage: Adult | Material: Alloy steel | Dimensions: 5 x 3.5 x 0.5 inches | Blade Type: Guillotine} 

GHG Dog Nail Grinder

Best Nail Grinder

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What We Like

• Low sound and minimal vibration

• Three speeds to choose from

• LED light for added visibility

• Rechargeable via USB

What We Don't Like

• A pair of pliers-style clippers is included but they're not very good

A dog nail grinder can be used in place of clippers for some dogs, and some humans find the experience to be more approachable, especially when first starting out. The GHG Dog Nail Grinder features a very useful LED light to illuminate the nail you are smoothing. This grinder is equipped with three speeds so you can ease yourself and your dog into the experience. When compared to other nail grinders we tested, this one is quieter and the sensation from the vibration is minimal.

With a full charge, the battery inside has a runtime of up to ten hours so you don't need to charge it very often. It comes with a micro-USB cord, a port to place over the grinder to keep the device at a 45-degree angle, and a pair of plier-style clippers—while convenient, these clippers are not as sturdy as others on our list, so you may find the need to purchase an additional nail trimmer, especially if you have a larger dog.

Price at time of publish: $30

_{Style: Grinder, pliers | Breed Size: All sizes | Life Stage: All | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 2.28 x 2.32 x 7.32 inches | Blade Type: Rotary}

Dremel 7760 PawControl Pet Nail Grinding Kit

Best Upgrade Grinder

The battery-powered tool has a removable cap that helps keep your dog's nail at the proper angle for trimming.

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What We Like

• Rechargeable battery included with runtime of up to two hours and 45 minutes

• A clear cap guide helps to keep the device at the recommended 45-degree angle
  

• Attachments are easy to change and multiple sanding discs are included

What We Don't Like

• Does not included a storage case

The Dremel PawControl Dog Nail Grinder is more expensive than our pick for the Best Nail Grinder, the GHG Dog Nail Grinder, but it comes with multiple sanding discs and bands that are easy to swap. A great value if you plan to use the grinder every three to four weeks to maintain the length of your dog's nails.

Another excellent feature is the clear cap that goes on top of the rotary allowing for visibility and assisting in keeping the device at the recommended 45-degree angle while shaping a nail. The grinder runs on a 4-volt battery that charges via a USB cable, both of which are included. With a full charge, the cordless device has a runtime of close to three hours.

Price at time of publish: $60

_{Style: Grinder | Size: One size | Life Stage: All | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 8.25 x 2 x 0.75 inches | Blade Type: Rotary}

Our top choice for dog nail clippers is the Safari Professional Nail Trimmers because they have sharp, durable blades and an ambidextrous easy-to-grip handle. For maintenance of nails, the GHG Dog Nail Grinder gives you precise control over how much of a nail you’re taking off with an LED light for added visibility. Plus, the grinder comes with a safety cap to assist in keeping the trim at the recommended 45-degree angle.

What to Look for in Dog Nail Clippers

Style: Guillotine, Plier, Scissor, and Grinder

There are three categories for dog nail clippers: pliers, guillotine, and scissors. These are all designed to chop the tip of the nail but may leave a jagged edge. A nail file or a motorized grinder can be used to smooth out a nail and maintain its optimal length, minimizing the frequency of nail clipper use.

Pliers: These dog nail-cutting tools have two handles that are spring-loaded to add force. A dual-sided blade, usually angeled, cuts through the nail and meets in the middle. These tools are usually ambidextrous, so the same pair can be comfortably used by right-handed and left-handed people.

Guillotine: At the end of the handles on a guillotine-style nail clipper, you'll find a hole indicating where to place the nail, and when the handles are squeezed together, an internal blade comes up to slice the nail.

This style of nail clippers is named after the antiquated execution device designed to separate a human head from the body. You have probably seen a guillotine in a movie, television show, museum, or historical site tour, and the mechanisms of the nail clipper are very similar but much smaller.

Scissors: The handles of this crisscrossed style, with loops for fingers to grip, are probably the most familiar design. But unlike scissors used to cut paper or trim hair, the blades for cutting a dog's nails are curved forming a circle. This type of dog nail clipper is best for smaller nails because they do not provide enough force to cut through large nails.

Grinder: These devices are powered via a cord or battery. They have a very fast rotating end with a sanding head (like sandpaper) to shave down and smooth nails. Grinders are sometimes used after a nail trimmer to smooth out rough edges, or on their own to maintain the length of nails on paws.

Size

Smaller dogs need smaller tools to trim their nails, and larger dogs require tools with more force to make a clean cut. Most clippers are available in at least two sizes so you can select the one that best aligns with your dog.

Sharp Blades

To make a clean cut through a dog nail, the clipper you select needs to have sharp blades. This will help to prevent rough edges that can lead to nail splintering. Always handle with care and do not leave out where pets or kids may accidentally grab.

Safety Guard

Many of the plier-style nail clippers have a safety guard to help you avoid the quick. This is especially important for beginners as they gain confidence and experience. On a grinder, a cap can help you keep the sanding device at a 45-degree angle which is ideal for dogs because it's more in line with their natural gait.

Caring For the Quick

Within each dog's nail, there is a blood vessel with nerves known as the quick. It provides nourishment to your dog's nails, which allows them to grow and feel certain sensations. It is similar to the nail bed found on human hands. The placement and visibility of the quick vary greatly among dogs and even from paw to paw.

If you accidentally clip the quick in your dog's nail, there is no need to panic. Calmly apply an alcohol-free styptic powder, like Dogswell Remedy+Recovery Professional Groomer's Styptic Powder for Dogs to the nail to stop the bleeding. This dry powder is formulated to clot blood from minor cuts on contact.

How We Tested

We researched and purchased 24 dog nail clippers for at-home testing with real dogs. Over six weeks, our participants, some with multiple dogs, gathered insights and photographed their experiences.

All of our participants were instructed on the proper use of their assigned tools before cutting their dog's nails.

As things got underway, they took note of what worked and what didn't, how it compared to other dog nail clippers they had used, their dog's response to the device, and whether they would like to continue using it for future nail trims.

We analyzed this real-world feedback and paired it with expert guidance to inform and categorize our selections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use human nail clippers on dogs?

It's not recommended to use human nail clippers on dogs, even small dogs or puppies. “The cut from human nail clippers is different than with the scissor or guillotine types for dog nails, the nail is more likely to split from human nail clippers,” explains Molly Bissantz, professional dog groomer and the owner of Grooming by Molly in Boise, Idaho.

How do you sharpen dog nail clippers?

Sharp nail clippers make clean, efficient cuts, helping to minimize discomfort to your dog and get the job done faster. If you’ve noticed your nail clippers aren’t cutting as well as they once did, you may need to sharpen them. To do this, you’ll need a grinding stone, diamond tapered rod, or ceramic rod.

Start by taking the clippers apart, then run the tool along each side of the blade, following the angle of its curve, which is generally around 35 to 40 degrees. You may also want to lubricate the spring of the clippers when reassembling them to keep the tool working effortlessly.

Are cat and dog nail clippers the same?

The same nail clippers can be used on both cats and dogs, assuming your animals are a similar size. Cats require small nail clippers, and these clippers are often appropriate to use on puppies and small breed dogs. However, if you have a larger dog, you’ll want to get bigger clippers, as cat nail clippers will likely struggle to cut through thick nails.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This roundup was updated by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a happy pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Anna embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.

A previous version was written by Camryn Rabideau, a lifelong animal lover and product tester. She currently has several cats and a Golden Retriever.

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