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8 Best Cat Nail Clippers – 2024 Reviews and Top Picks

Hallie Roddy

By Hallie Roddy

cat nails being trim by vet

It’s time to trim your cat’s nails when they become so long that they scratch everything they come in contact with. While trimming your cat’s nails is only one responsibility of being a pet owner, far more people seem to dread it than we think is necessary. Cat nail clippers each have their own benefits and disadvantages and finding a quality product with excellent reviews is one way to make the process easy and painless for both you and your pet.

The best nail clippers for cats are ones that are sharp, sturdy, and easy for you to use on your cat. Most importantly, they don’t damage your cat’s claws and hurt them during the process. Utilize this article to find some of the top cat nail clipper choices on the market this year. Once you find the best cat claw clippers that suit you, you’ll no longer dread the chore of trimming your kitty’s claws.

hepper single cat paw divider

 

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hepper Cat nail Clipper Set Hepper Cat nail Clipper Set
  • Designed to prevent clipping from awkward angles
  • Made with sharp stainless steel
  • Comes with hidden nail files
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Millers Forge Nail Clippers Millers Forge Nail Clippers
  • Sharp and thin blades
  • Fits all hand sizes
  • Safety guard and locking blades
  • Third place
    Petlibro Portable Pet Nail Grinder Petlibro Portable Pet Nail Grinder
  • Comfortable to hold and maneuver
  • Good for all ages and sizes
  • Safer for pets
  • Shiny Pet Small Nail Clippers Shiny Pet Small Nail Clippers
  • Angled blade
  • Sharp, stainless steel edge
  • Anti-slip handles
  • Safari Professional Nail Trimmer Safari Professional Nail Trimmer
  • Safety guard and blade locks
  • Extra sharp stainless steel blades
  • Comfortable grip
  • The 8 Best Cat Nail Clippers

    1. Hepper Cat Nail Clipper Set – Best Overall

    hepper_clippers_new_image

    Dimensions TBD
    Lifestage Adult or kitten
    Material Stainless steel

    The Hepper Cat Nail Clipper Set contains all the essentials you need to maintain your cat’s nails. The kit includes both small-sized and medium-sized nail clippers. The small-sized clipper is a great size for kittens and has gripped handles that are comfortable to hold. It’s also angled with a spring mechanism so that you can safely clip your cat’s nails without dealing with awkward angles.

    Once your small kitten grows up, you can start using the medium-sized clipper. It has a comfortable ergonomic handle and a convenient design to ensure safe nail clipping. Both nail clippers are made with durable, sharp stainless steel and have a safety guard to prevent over-clipping. They also have locking switches for safe storage and a convenient nail file hidden in their designs.

    Both types of clippers are made with high-quality materials and will last you a while. However, having two clippers can be a bit excessive if you just live with one adult cat, as you’ll probably end up using just one of them. So, this kit is most appropriate for new kitten owners or multi-cat households.

    Pros
    • Designed to prevent clipping from awkward angles
    • Made with sharp stainless steel
    • Comes with hidden nail files
    Cons
    • Single cat owners may not use all the tools

    2. Millers Forge Nail Clippers – Budget Buy

    Millers Forge Nail Clipper

    Dimensions 5 x 2 x .25 inches
    Lifestage Adult
    Material Stainless steel

    Aside from the occasional chance that the rubber grips are easy to pull off, Millers Forge makes one of the very best cat nail clippers for the money. This product is large enough for hands of all sizes and features sharp stainless steel blades that cut through even the thickest nails with ease.

    The design of these clippers is similar to spring-loaded pliers that make them easy to use. They’re also durable enough to last you well over a decade. Because the blades are thinner, it makes it easier to see the cat’s nail when in use compared to some of the larger clippers on the market.

    Pros
    • Sharp and thin blades
    • Fits all hand sizes
    • Safety guard and locking blades
    • Durable stainless-steel material
    Cons
    • Rubber grips are easy to pull off

    3. Petlibro Portable Rechargeable Dog & Cat Nail Grinder

    PETLIBRO cat Nail Grinder

    Dimensions N/A
    Lifestage Adult or kitten
    Material Plastic

    The Petlibro nail grinder is a good option when searching for cat nail trimmers although it may be more expensive. Instead of cutting through the nail, this grinder safely sands down the tips of the claws. The quiet motor doesn’t scare cats or kittens, and the battery has a long life and is rechargeable. The ergonomic handle grip is comfortable to hold and maneuver around each nail.

    The downside to this grinder is that it might make the process longer since grinding is slower than cutting directly through the nail. However, this is a safer option that guarantees that you’ll never cut the quick. This grinder is also designed for cats and pets of all ages and sizes, making it one of the best cat nail trimmers on the market.

    Pros
    • Comfortable to hold and maneuver
    • Good for all ages and sizes
    • Safer for pets
    • Rechargeable
    • Long battery life
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Slower process

    4. Shiny Pet Nail Clippers for Small Animals

    Pet Nail Clippers for Small Animals

    Dimensions 3.7 x 2.6 x 0.6 inches
    Lifestage Kitten
    Material Stainless steel and plastic

    The Shiny Pet nail clippers are a scissor-style product that is the perfect option if you’ve got small kittens running around. They are one of the best nail clippers for cats, but also work on other small species like birds, rabbits, puppies, and ferrets. The blades have an angled design the makes it easier to see while you’re working with them. They are also extremely sharp to make the clipping process as quick and painless as possible. Larger hands don’t work well with these clippers, but they are truly the best nail clippers for kittens on the market.

    Pros
    • Small enough for kittens
    • Angled blade
    • Sharp, stainless steel edge
    • Anti-slip handles
    Cons
    • Too small for large hands
    • Pricey

    5. Safari Professional Nail Trimmer

    Safari Professional Nail Trimmer

    Dimensions 4.7 x 2.6 inches
    Lifestage Adult
    Material Stainless steel and plastic

    Don’t let the primary marketing for dogs turn you off from buying these nail clippers for your cats. These Safari Professional nail trimmers come in two sizes, with the smaller of the two being the perfect choice for your cats. The blades are strong and sharp, and the handles have a non-slip grip that is good for any hand size. The spring-loaded jaw also pops apart after each snip so that you can easily move from one nail to the next.

    These trimmers have both a safety guard and blade locks. They are going to be too large for kittens, but that won’t be a problem if all of your pets are already grown.

    Pros
    • Safety guard and blade locks
    • Extra sharp stainless steel blades
    • Comfortable grip
    Cons
    • Not suitable for kittens
    • Pricey

    6. Pet Republique Cat Nail Clipper

    Pet Republique Cat Nail Clipper

    Dimensions 3.8 x 2.5 x 0.2 inches
    Lifestage Adult or kitten
    Material Stainless steel

    These small Pet Republique clippers are designed to fit perfectly around a cat’s small, delicate nails. The scissors have a simple design and are made with stainless steel blades that are durable and sharp enough to easily cut through the nail. They also lock into place for when you’re not using them.

    Take advantage of the built-in safety guard so that you never cut close to the quick and cause them pain. In addition, the rubber handles offer a non-slip grip to keep your cuts accurate. Some reports say that the handles are too small for people with large hands. However, many people enjoy buying these clippers not only because they work well but because 15 percent of the clipper profits are donated to the American Animal Rescue Society to help other animals in need.

    Pros
    • Durable stainless steel material
    • Sharp blade
    • Non-slip grip
    • Portion of overall profits donated to help animals in need
    • Affordable
    • Safety guard and locking blades
    Cons
    • Small handles

    7. Dremel 7300-PT Dog & Cat Nail Grinder

    Dremel 7300-PT Dog & Cat Nail Grinder Kit

    Dimensions 8 x 4.5 x 2.6 inches
    Lifestage Adult
    Material Plastic

    Some cat owners prefer grinders because that’s what their pets like best. This Dremel nail grinder has a plastic body that is lightweight and easy to work with. It doesn’t come with a cap for safety, but it does have extra 60-grit sandpaper so that you don’t have to buy replacements for a while. These grinders are versatile and good to use on many animals. It has a rechargeable battery, although it does take up to 3 hours for charging to complete. The motor, however, is quiet, and there are two-speed settings to adjust to your pet’s preference.

    Pros
    • Two-speed settings
    • Lightweight
    • Extra sandpaper pieces included
    • Rechargeable
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • 3+ hours to charge
    • No non-slip grip
    • No safety cap

    8. JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Nail Trimmer

    JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Nail Clipper

    Dimensions 5.75 x 4.25 x .25 inches
    Lifestage Adult or kitten
    Material Stainless steel and plastic

    The JW Pet Gripsoft trimmer is a suitable choice if you’re simply looking for a trimmer to get the job done for an extremely affordable price. This product is suitable for both adult cats and kittens, and the soft grip makes them comfortable to use. There isn’t a safety guard to prevent you from overcutting, and they may also be too small for many hands. However, the stainless-steel blades are sharp and they work whenever you’re in a pinch.

    Pros
    • Cheap
    • Soft grip
    Cons
    • Very small
    • No safety grip
    • No spring-load for easy use

    hepper single cat paw divider

    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Nail Clipper

    What should you look for in basic cat nail clippers if you’ve never had to use them before? There are a lot of different clipper design styles, and it is overwhelming to choose from all of the online options. Before you start to shop, learn about the different styles and consider which will work best for your cat. Here are a few key clipper features to look for:

    1. Sharp Blades

    Even if you paid top dollar for a set of cat nail clippers, there is no point in using them if the blades aren’t extremely sharp. Think of clippers for your cat in the same way you pick out razor blades for your body. Dull blades might be easier on your wallet, but they are also more likely to injure you and be more painful while you’re using them. Strong and sharp blades slice through the thickest nails instead of crushing them. Stainless steel is usually the best material for this, and they last the longest without going dull.


    2. Comfort

    You’re going to dread nail clipping time if the product isn’t comfortable in your hand and easy to maneuver. You want to be able to feel comfortable while you hold the clippers and confident that they won’t slip and slide as you work around each nail. Look for a design that fits your hand well, isn’t too heavy, and helps you maintain control.

    cat having nails trimmed_RJ22, Shutterstock
    Image Credit: RJ22, Shutterstock

    3. Safety Guards

    The quick is the part of your cat’s nail that transitions into live flesh. If you’ve accidentally cut too far down on a pet’s nail, then you know that this can be extremely painful for them, and it can take hours to get the bleeding to stop. It also traumatizes your cats and makes them anxious every time you bring the clippers out. Safety guards ensure that you won’t ever cut too far down and injure your precious fur baby.


    4. Locking Blades

    Locking blades aren’t always a selling point for many pet owners, but we think that they are a great feature to possess if you have lots of kids running around. Locking the blades keeps anyone who is touching the clippers from cutting themselves on accident. It also makes the clippers smaller for more convenient storage.

    Can You Use Human Nail Clippers on Cats?

    While it may be tempting, human nail clippers aren’t the most suitable option for pets. Good human clippers may be small and sharp, but they aren’t designed for the same type and shape of the nail. They might work if you’re desperate and have no way of getting new clippers in time, but do your best to avoid using human clippers on your furry friends.

    hepper cat paw dividerFinal Thoughts

    Finding the best set of nail clippers for cats is a smart move if you want to make it an enjoyable process for both you and your cat. After reading hundreds of reviews, we have found that the best overall is the Hepper Cat Nail Clipper Set with its strong blades and comfortable grip. For a cheaper option that is still high-quality, the Millers Forge Nail clippers are the way to go. Even if you’re still unsure about which to buy, spend some time in the Buyer’s Guide section to help you understand which characteristics are ideal in this type of product.

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    Featured Image Credit: 135pixels, Shutterstock

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