Pet owners are all aware that grooming and caring for your pet is crucial in keeping them comfortable and healthy. Nail clipping is an important part of the grooming process, especially for dogs. With so many nail clippers available, and with so many types, trying to pick the right one for your dog can seem quite intimidating and can become frustrating. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the best dog nails clippers for your small furry friend.
Some people believe that using a nail clipper made for humans works just as well as using one specifically made for pets. This is, of course, not true. You should never use nail clippers made for people on dogs, as they are not strong enough to cut through dogs’ thick nails.
While they may work on small dogs or puppies with thin nails, you should still use a clipper specifically designed for dogs to avoid injuring your dog. Dogs that run around on hard or rough surfaces such as concrete are able to naturally wear down their nails.
Of course, domesticated dogs that spend most of their time indoors do not have this ability, and thus need to have their nails trimmed regularly to avoid them becoming too long. So, in this article, we will be taking a look at some of the best nail clippers for small dogs to help you make the best purchasing decision for you and your pooch.
Dog Nail Clipper Reviews
Comparison Chart
H&H Pets Nail Clippers Series – for Cats and Dogs – Razor Sharp Blades Sturdy Non Slip Handles – Dog Accessories Professional at Home Grooming – Stainless Steel – Dog Nail Trimmers – XS (Cats & Birds)
Poodle Pet Cat Nail Trimmer Clipper Scissors for Cats, Kittens, Dogs, Puppies, Rabbits & Small Animals – Slip-Proof, Stainless Steel, – Professional Grooming Supplies
Pet Nail Clippers for Small Animals – Best Cat Nail Clippers & Claw Trimmer for Home Grooming Kit – Professional Grooming Tool for Tiny Dog Cat Bunny Rabbit Bird Puppy Kitten Ferret – Ebook Guide
H&H Pets Dog and Cat Nail Clippers
The H&H Pets premium nail clippers are specifically designed for use on small pets. We’ve included them on our list because of its easy to use and safe design, as well as their high-quality manufacturing. These clippers are the best overall in terms of functionality, safety, and cost.
Review
These pet nail clippers from H&H feature a lightweight design that makes them perfect for use on small dogs. They have a scissor design, with handles that are coated in rubber for your comfort and your dog’s safety during trimming. The stainless steel blade is durable and hypoallergenic, and the handle is finished with an anti-slip coating, allowing the user to comfortably and safely hold them to prevent accidents.
These pet nails clippers are preferred by professionals and amateurs alike. Like many of the clippers on this list, they are quite small and therefore unobtrusive, making them perfect for groomers and pet owners who travel frequently and do not want to fuss with having to fit their tools into their luggage or bags.
Unlike most other pet nail clippers that are designed for smaller pets, the H&H clippers have a longer blade edge and wider opening, making it stand out among its competitors.
Pros
- Easy to use, even for beginners
- Easy to hold and maneuver
- Available in a variety of colors
- Stainless steel and hypoallergenic blade
- Slip-proof handles for safe use
Cons
- Blade requires frequent sharpening
- May not cut through thicker nails
- Not suitable for medium to large dogs
Millers Forge Steel Pet Nail Clippers
These high-quality nail clippers from Millers Forge help you quickly and effectively trim your small dog’s nails to ensure they stay comfortable and healthy. It goes without saying that long nails can cause your pup extreme discomfort and even pain. These heavy-duty plier-style nail clippers will keep your dog’s nails short and healthy.
Review
The Millers Forge steel nail clippers make nail clipping a walk in the park (pun intended). While they are best suited for use on smaller dog breeds like Corgis and Pomeranians, these nail clippers can also be used to trim large dog nails quite effectively. They do not leave behind any sharp edges or bumps like most nail clippers do, providing your dog with superior comfort.
These clippers are a great substitute for most nail grinder tools, which can be risky to work with. The Millers Forge clippers provide the same clean and smooth finish as grinder tools, without the risk of injuring your furry friend.
The Millers Forge nail clippers feature a durable plier style design that should be a staple in every groomer’s kit. Their red plastic grips are comfortable, and their spring-loaded mechanism provides a more pleasant cutting action.
The built-in guard can be moved into the desired position to prevent accidentally overcutting your dog’s nails. The lock also allows for easy storing. These clippers are great for all sizes of dogs, just not very large breeds.
Pros
- Durable and versatile
- Comfortable plastic grips
- Spring-loaded mechanism
- Built-in guard
- Easy to store
Cons
- Not suitable for use on large dogs
- Very sharp blades
- Requires extra caution to use safely
Poodle Pet Nail Trimmers
The Poodle pet nail trimmers are the most budget-friendly nail clippers on our list, and are a good middle-ground option for groomers who don’t want to break the bank. They are designed for use by both professionals and non-professionals and are suitable for use on small dogs.
Review
These pet nail clippers from Poodle are ergonomic, small and easy to handle. They are specially designed to fit into your hand safely, which makes them very easy to use while clipping your dog’s claws. These nail trimmers also produce practically no noise, meaning that they will not scare your dog if they are a little nervous. These clippers boast a small design that makes them easy to pack into any kit, or even suitcase, if you and your dog travel frequently.
The slip-proof grip helps prevent accidents, perfect for owners who are new to grooming and become anxious when clipping nails. These clippers also feature a built-in ‘quick sensor’. The quick is the part of your dog’s nail that supplies the blood flow, and cutting into this is very painful for the dog, and is also very messy. These safety scissors prevent contact with the quick for a safe cutting experience.
These clippers are great for DIY grooming due to their low cost and easy to use nature, making them perfect for new pet owners and amateur groomers. These are great for traveling due to their super small and unobtrusive design, and can become a staple in all grooming kits, regardless of whether you are a professional groomer or an amateur DIY pet owner.
Pros
- Easy to handle
- Small, ergonomic, and lightweight
- Slip-proof, not prone to accidents
- Quick sensor helps avoid cutting the quick
- Great for at-home grooming
Cons
- Requires regular sharpening
- Handle is quite small
- Very small pair of clippers overall
SHINY PET Pet Nail Clippers
SHINY PET is known for offering stylish, high-quality products that meet the needs of modern pet owners. Each and every one of their pet care products provide owners with an easy solution to daily grooming and maintenance. Their scissor-type pet nail clippers are great for use on pretty much any small pet, including small breeds of dog. They are a premium nail trimming tool, while still being affordable to most everyday pet owners.
Review
The SHINY PET pet nail clippers are perfect for use on small pets. They are designed to be safe and easy to use, while also maintaining a premium quality. They are fitted with blades that are razor sharp and made from stainless steel, providing a quick and clean cutting experience. These nail clippers also feature an ergonomic grip that is made out of high-quality plastic that is biodegradable.
These clippers from SHINY PET are easy to use. Their stainless steel blade and handles are finished with a rubber coating, allowing you to grip them securely and prevent accidents or injury. They also come with a risk-free guarantee, meaning you can rest easy backed by a money-back guarantee for life.
The blade on the SHINY PET nail clippers is ultra-sharp, providing a superior smooth finish without leaving behind any bumps or jagged edges which often get caught on furniture and cause discomfort.
Pros
- Great for use on small pets
- Many safety features to prevent accidents
- Easy to use and ergonomic design
- Designed to be user-friendly
- Rubber handle for slip-prevention
Cons
- Not suited for pets of medium size and up
- Must be sharpened frequently
- Very wide blade
Pettom Stainless Steel Nail Clippers
The Pettom Stainless Steel pet nail clippers offer a premium nail trimming experience while still being relatively affordable. They are perfect for clipping your small dog’s nails, and for keeping them short as well. They are spring-loaded, making them quick and easy to use, while also providing a clean cut, leaving no bumps or sharp edges behind.
Review
The Pettom stainless steel nail clippers are perfect for clipping your small pet’s nails, including small breeds of dog. They offer precise and safe cutting, due to their stainless steel guillotine design which also features a safety stop to help you avoid cutting the quick of your dog’s nail.
While these clippers do leave a smooth finish, Pettom recommends using them to clip your dog’s nails right after a bath for the best results possible. The sharp, stainless steel blades offer super precise trimming while also making clipping your dog’s nails easy.
These nail clippers boast an ergonomic design that aids in the prevention of injuries for both you and your pet. The Pettom stainless steel pet nail trimmers are perfect for pet owners who are new to the grooming process and find themselves growing nervous when holding trimmers. Their handle provides a steady grip that makes clipping nails quick and easy.
Pros
- Great for all kinds of animals
- Precision cutting while also being safe
- Sturdy and durable
- Quick and easy to use
- Leaves a clean cut
- Handle provides a steady grip
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than other clippers
- Can only be used effectively on small dog breeds
- Alignment of the handles is not perfectly centered
Final Thoughts
As we have seen, nail clippers for dogs are available in a wide variety and come in different models and styles. They all share the common purpose of clipping your dog’s nails to prevent them from growing too long and causing adverse health and comfort effects.
Long nails tend to break very easily, which is extremely painful for your dog, to the point where they may not be able to walk properly until the break heals. Long nails also alter the way your dog walks, often causing them to lean forward slightly but constantly. This is because, millions of years ago, wild dogs would naturally wear down their nails by traversing hills and other rough terrains.
Wild dogs also used their nails to help them climb steep surfaces, for which they would need to adjust their posture by leaning forwards. This means that your dog has been evolutionarily programmed to lean forward when their nails touch the ground because they are being ‘told’ that they are climbing a hill or other steep surface.
Clipping your dog’s nails is a vital task in the grooming process, and helps them stay healthy, comfortable, and happy. If you do not regularly trim your dog’s nails, they can grow far too long and cause several problems. Dogs with very long nails run the risk of having them torn off when walking, especially on materials like carpets and other furniture.
If this does happen, your dog will most likely need immediate veterinary attention. Long nails also place a lot of pressure on the nail bed and paw when your dog walks around. This pressure causes extreme discomfort and might cause your dog to attempt to pull their nails off, which causes pain and other problems.
So, after everything, we have decided that the Millers Forge stainless steel pet nail clippers are the best clippers available on the market. They offer superior precision, comfort, and are extremely durable, while still being lightweight and easy to use. If you are on a budget though, you could always opt for the Poodle pet nail trimmers, which are durable and provide clean cuts, while still being very affordable.