The Best Pet Nail Trimmers: Ranked and Reviewed

While many pet owners believe that keeping your furry friend’s nails clipped is to prevent them from scratching people and furniture in your home, there’s actually much more to it than that. Some people prefer to keep their pet’s nails short to prevent accidents, but did you know it impacts their overall health? 

Ever had an ingrown toenail? It can be painful and a hassle to get taken care of. Your pet can have something similar occur if their claws get very lengthy. When cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and other animals have nails that are too long, they begin to curl into their paw pad and will eventually need to be handled by your vet. There are even more downfalls of having long nails: damage to your floor and the potential to hurt your child or other pets in the home. There are numerous reasons why you should keep your pet’s nails trimmed.

Thankfully, there is a myriad of options on the market when it comes to nail trimmers for pets. We’ve tested a variety of products and found the ones that beat out the competition. Here, you will find drill options, plier clippers, and even some with an LED chargeable light. Let’s take a look at the best pet nail trimmers available today! 

Top Picks for the Best Pet Nail Trimmer: Ranked and Rated

#1 Overall Best Pet Nail Trimmer: Safari Professional Stainless Steel Nail Trimmer

Out of all of the choices you have for a pet nail trimmer, consider our winner, ranking #1 Best Overall, the Safari Professional Stainless Steel Nail Trimmer. If you’re looking for a single trimmer that has everything you need to get the job done, this is it! 

It has durable, sharp blades that will help shorten even the toughest nails. There’s a safety stop that provides guidance and can help new pet owners feel more comfortable trimming their own animals’ nails. 

The Safari trimmer comes in two sizes, standard and large, and it won’t break the bank to buy a pair or two. One of the features we love is the non-slip grip on the handles. There is a tension spring that makes it easier to squeeze the handle and reduces the impact of the blades impacting each other.

Most reviews for this product were positive, but there were a few very specific complaints that boiled down to them not being well made or sharp enough.

Pros and Cons of the Safari Professional Stainless Steel Nail Trimmer

Overall Best

Safari Professional Large Nail Trimmer For Dogs

• Durable, sharp blades
• Features safety stop
• Non-slip grip on the handles
• Tension spring ensures smooth cuts

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2. Best Pet Nail Trimmer Drill: Dremel Pet Nail Grinding Kit

Whether you’re a new pet parent or you’re just new to cutting your feline or pup’s nails, Dremel Pet Nail Grinding Kit can make it a lot easier. This this kit, you’ll have more control than you do with a traditional set of plier trimmers.

The Dremel PawControl Dog Nail Grinder is a great choice for numerous reasons, including the fact that it’s cordless and incredibly lightweight. Its 60 grit sanding drum will comfortably trim your pet’s nails in minutes. It features two speed settings, 6,500 and 13,000 RPM, and includes a variety of Dremel sanding drums and bands so you can choose the ones that work best for your pet.

You can quickly charge the PawControl grinder by using the USB cord included. The battery lasts around three hours per charge. 

Some customers reported that this tool was too loud and frightened their pets, so they couldn’t use it.

Pros and Cons of the Dremel Pet Nail Grinding Kit

Best Drill

Dremel Cordless Dog & Cat Rotary Nail Grinder Kit

• Have more control than with a traditional set of plier trimmers
• Cordless and incredibly lightweight
• Comes with several useful accessories
• USB cord included for charging

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3. Best Pet Nail Trimmer With Light: Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder

The Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder has a handy, built-in LED light. This feature allows you to see the quick, even on dark-colored pet nails, so you know where you can safely cut.

This tool’s diamond grinding wheel will do most of the work for you. There are two different speeds available and three grinding ports to efficiently trim the nails of small, medium, and large animals.

This lit nail grinder charges via USB cord and lasts about two hours per three-hour charge. This model features a super-quiet motor with low vibration designed not to frighten pets. And it’s available in six colors, one of which is bound to match your décor or your mood.

Some verified reviewers reported that the motor wasn’t strong enough to trim their pets’ nails quickly and efficiently.

Pros and Cons of the Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder

Best With a Light

Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder

• Has a handy built-in LED light
• Light helps to illuminate your pet’s nails for easier cutting
• Has a diamond grinding wheel
• Has a USB cord included for easy charging

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4. Best Budget Pet Nail Trimmer: Millers Forge Nail Clipper 

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about a budget-friendly option that will cost you around $7.00 for the “one size” version: the Millers Forge Nail Clipper. These nail clippers are perfect for touching up your furry friend’s nails.

You’ll find convenient plastic grippers on the handle to give you more control. The blades are made with durable stainless steel and there’s a spring-loaded mechanism for safety. Speaking of safety, pet owners love the safety lock that keeps the blades closed when not in use. 

This nail clipper comes in three sizes/styles (one-size, large, and large/premium) and is best for medium to large-sized dogs. If you’re looking for clippers for your cat, small dog, or rabbit, consider another option from the reviews above. 

Some reviewers reported that these clippers weren’t sharp enough. Others said that they were unwieldy and difficult to use.

Pros and Cons of the Millers Forge Nail Clipper 

Best Budget

Millers Forge Nail Clipper With Safety Stop

• Budget-friendly option
• Convenient plastic grippers on the handle for better control
• Blades are made with durable stainless steel
• Safety lock keeps the blades closed when not in use

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

There are a handful of things we want you to be aware of when comparing one nail trimmer to another. It doesn’t matter if you choose the ones we reviewed or if you pick something entirely different. Take a look at these essential features of the best pet nail trimmers. 

Size 

Ask yourself what type of pet are you using the trimmers for. Do you have a shih tzu that needs a mani/pedi or are you working with a fussy cat that can’t seem to stay still? 

It’s best to get a size that’s appropriate for your pet. For example, small clippers won’t be able to handle the tough nails of a large dog. If you have a variety of pets of different sizes, you may opt for a grinding tool that will work for all of them.

Sharpness 

The last thing you want is to buy a pair of trimmers that doesn’t have blades that are sharp enough to cut through your pet’s nails. If they’re too dull, they can end up splitting the nail or leaving a rough edge. Aim for a stainless steel blade that can be easily sharpened when needed. 

Safety Guard 

Lastly, for pet owners that don’t have a lot of experience trimming animals’ nails, consider buying a trimmer with a safety guard. This is also a great option for families that have kids in the house. When not in use, the safety guard can be applied to prevent an accident.

The Different Types of Pet Nail Trimmer: Pros and Cons Compared

Now that you know about the different types of pet trimmers, let’s take a look at the pros and cons to give you an even better idea of what you’ll need for your furry friend. 

• Drills, or Dremel tools, are a great option if you don’t have a ton of experience cutting pets’ nails or your pet has a bit of anxiety when it comes to having their nails cut. The main downside of nail drills is that they can be bulky and a little loud for some users. 
• Pliers are the traditional way to cut your pet’s nails. They have several safety features and are easy to use. Be sure you get the right size or you run the risk of not properly cutting the nails. 

Our Criteria: How We Chose the Best

When it comes to choosing the best nail trimmers for your pet, we put a lot of thought into choosing safe products that get the job done in the simplest manner. One of our favorite styles was the popular plier-style trimmers. What we appreciate about these is that they don’t require too much pressure, unlike some drills and grinding options, and they don’t make much noise while trimming. Both pressure and a loud noise may startle your pet and cause him to be uncooperative. They are also very sharp, which means you should be able to get the job done in just a few clips. Always keep in mind, though, that if you don’t know what you’re doing, seek a professional to help.

As for the Dremel and grinding options, we were surprised to learn how easy, quick, and efficient these tools were. The main issue with these is getting your pet accustomed to them. But with lots of rewards and patience, your pet can get comfortable and let you buzz away. It should only take about 5-10 seconds per nail, which is super fast. One of our choices even comes with an LED light to help you see your pet’s claws while you trim them. The light comes with a charger so that you can always be prepared with the appropriate lighting to give your pet a manicure.

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