Though it may seem like nothing more than a cosmetic issue, keeping your dog's nails trimmed is important for their health and well-being. Unless your dog is very active outdoors, their nails are unlikely to become worn down on their own, and if they grow too long, they could break or splinter. Too-long nails can also curl back and grow into the paw pad — a painful and dangerous condition that requires swift treatment from a veterinarian.
"Every dog's behavior and nails are different, so it's important to do research before attempting trimming at home," said pet groomer Cassie Edmond, who is an animal caregiver at the San Diego Humane Society. "Dogs have a quick (vein) inside the nail, which can bleed if cut by nail trimmers." Before getting started, learn how to safely trim a dog's nails and watch videos that further illustrate the process.
Nail clippers for dogs come in several different forms. The size of the nail clipper should correlate with the size of the dog (small, medium, or large). Style matters, too. Pliers-style nail clippers can work for any size or breed. Guillotine-style clippers are generally best for small or medium-sized dogs. Nail grinders are great for gently filing down the nail rather than cutting through it.
"When trimming your dog's nails at home, the style of clippers you're comfortable handling is what's best," Edmond said. "When I'm grooming, I use the plier-style nail clippers. I have a small size for puppies or dogs with very small or curled nails, a medium size for any size dog, and a large size for large dogs or dogs with thick nails."
Edmond points out that safety is the biggest consideration — both for you and your dog. "There's a viral video going around about wrapping your head in plastic wrap and smearing peanut butter on it to distract your dog while you do the nails," she said. "I very strongly advise against this. This is not safe due to the proximity of your face to your dog's mouth. If you accidentally hit your dog's quick, you don't know how he's going to react. Even the sweetest, calmest dog can bite if provoked or hurt."
Because there are so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know which option is best. Over the years, I've used a variety of pet nail trimmers and done the research to narrow down the best ones.
Here are the best dog nail clippers you can buy:Prices and links are up to date as of 5/11/2020. Added category and pick for best nail clippers for large dogs.
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