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.
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. With all these benefits, it makes them one of the best overall cat nail clippers you can buy.
Pros
Durable stainless steel material
Sharp blade
Non-slip grip
Portion of overall profits donated to help animals in need
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 – Premium Choice
If you’re willing to spend a little bit more money, then the Petlibro nail grinder is a good option when searching for cat nail trimmers. 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 – Best for Kittens
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.
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.
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 extra60-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.
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
Buyer’s Guide
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.
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’re 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.
Conclusion
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 Pet Republique cat nail clipper 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.