What is the Best Cat Nail Trimmer? Top Nail Clippers for Cats in 2020
It is a normal sight to find cats scratching their bodies or other things in sight. You may say that is it instinctual. However, if you take proper care of your cat’s nails, it may both decrease the amount of scratches and also minimize the damages caused by scratching. One of the best ways to take care of your cat nails is to use good quality clippers. You will find an ocean full of options when it comes to cat clippers in the market.
Types of Clippers
When you talk about cat nail clippers, there are basically 3 types in the market. The type you choose is largely based on the age of your pet and the frequency at which you intend on clipping your pet’s nails.
- Guillotine Clippers: These are pretty similar to the real guillotine and come with an entry slot for the cat nail. When you squeeze the handles tightly together, it shoves a sharp blade forward in order to cut the nail. These type of clippers do provide a rather clean cut, provided the blade is sharp. However, getting the nails in the slot can be a major headache.
- General Multi-Pet Clippers: These are designed to make clipping your cat nails a rather simple task. Although these do look quite similar to pruning shears, these are normally more heavy-duty as they can also cut dog nails. It is suitable for various types of pets such as cats, dogs, and birds. However, when it comes to cat nails, these do appear to be slightly bulky.
- Scissor Clippers: As the name suggests, these appear just like scissors. These are normally available in different sizes. However, it will be a good idea to opt for smaller ones to clip the nails of younger or smaller cats and bigger ones for adult cats. It is very simple to get a cat nail into a scissor clipper as opposed to a guillotine clipper. However, you need to press or squeeze quickly and firmly in order to get a clean cut. It is also tough to sharpen these types of clippers. Thus, it is always better to buy a new one if the one you use gets dull.
Top 5 Cat Nail Clippers
Best Cat Nail Clippers List
By now you probably know about the various types of nail clippers that are available in the market for cats. Choosing the right one for your pet may seem like a simple task to you. However, in reality, it is not so. This is why we have made a list of some of the best nail clippers for cats. This list will also act as your guide while you search for a suitable one for your feline friend.
① JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Nail Clipper
This cat nail clipper comes with a rubber-sheathed handle that helps you to cut your pet’s nails with precision and in a comfortable manner. The clipper also has anti-slip grips that are designed to enhance control and comfort while you clip your pet’s nails.
Pros
Pros
- It is suitable for cats of all sizes and breeds.
- Can easily be used to maintain beautifully trimmed cat nails.
- Designed to help you cut the nails with precision and in control.
Cons
Cons
- It is rather still and takes some effort to open.
- The stiffness of the clippers prevents you from doing a quick job efficiently.
② Pet Republique Cat Nail Clipper
Now maintaining a clipped and neat set of nails for your cat is possible with the help of this product. The blades are made of stainless steel and is designed to last you a lifetime. It is also made to deliver perfectly groomed and precise results every time you use it to clip the nails of your pet cat. It is ergonomically shaped and the size of the clipper is also rather convenient. You may also use in on other types of small pets such as guinea pigs, chinchillas, and puppies.
Pros
Pros
- The blades are made of stainless steel and are rather sharp.
- It is designed to clip the nails with utmost precision.
- The design of the clipper makes it rather suitable for you to use it on any small sized animal.
Cons
Cons
- Some pet owners may find the clippers too short for comfort.
- Some people also found it tough to slide their fingers through the handles.
③ Four Paws Ultimate Touch Cat Claw Clipper
These clippers are groomer and professional recommended and the blades are made of stainless steel. The edges are sharp enough to help you clip your pet’s claws almost immediately. It is also designed not to cause any discomfort to your pet while you clip her nails.
Pros
Pros
- Comes with molded handles to make it simple while using.
- Blades are rather sharp and made of stainless steel.
- Trims the nails rather quickly and without any discomfort.
Cons
Cons
- It may get rather uncomfortable while using the clippers.
- The sharpness of the blade is not as much as claimed by the manufacturer.
④ Hertzko Professional Dog and Cat Nail Clipper and Nail File
If you want to give your pet cat a much better and relaxing pedicure, then this clipper will help you a lot. Since overgrown nails can prove to be dangerous for your cat, keeping this product handy will be a good thing for you. These are professional grade clippers that come with safety guard that helps to make the nail trimming experience a pleasant one for both of you.
Both the blades, made from high quality stainless steel, come with semi-circular indentations that lets you see where and what you are cutting. The blades are pretty sharp that lets you perform a precise nail trimming task on your pet cat. The handle also come with anti-slip grip which is rather comfortable and fits easily in your hand.
Pros
Pros
- The semi-circular indentations help you see what you cut.
- The blades are made of high quality stainless steel that are pretty sharp.
- The handles also come with rubberized grips that make you feel comfortable.
Cons
Cons
- Some people found it rather difficult to cut their cats’ nails with it.
- Seems to be rather harsh on your pet’s nails.
⑤ Hertzko Angled Blade Dog, Cat, and Small Pet Nail Scissors
This is one of the best quality nail clippers that are suitable for cats, dogs, and any other small sized animal. The blades are made of high quality stainless steel that are designed to ensure a sharp and precise cutting edge every time you use it. In order to help you where and what you actually cut, these clippers come with semi-circular indentations on both the blades. The clippers are also designed in an angular manner to make it simple to get the blade around the nails. The handles also come with an anti-slip grip that is rubberized and provides proper comfort as long as you hold it.
Pros
Pros
- The blades are made of high quality stainless steel and are pretty sharp.
- The rubberized anti-slip grips at the handles provide a comfortable hold of the clipper.
- It is suitable for dogs, cats, and any small sized animals.
Cons
Cons
- The blades may not cut as cleanly as claimed by the manufacturer.
- The blades are rather dull.
⑥ Resco Original Cat Nail Clippers
These are professional quality nail trimmers that is made entirely of steel. This product is designed to help you clip your cat’s nails without applying too much pressure and rather cleanly. In order to make the clipper durable, it is covered with high quality chrome plating. This also makes the clipper shiny and comfortable.
Pros
Pros
- Made of solid steel construction.
- Chrome plating makes the clipper durable and comfortable.
- You can also replace the blades when they get dull without buying a new clipper.
Cons
Cons
- During a sudden jerk, you can easily cut the quick and cause tremendous bleeding with this clipper.
- May sometimes crush the nails.
⑦ H&H Pets Dog and Cat Nail Clipper
With the help of this nail clipper you can easily pamper your pet’s paws. These are professional grade clippers that are available in 2 different sizes, small/medium and medium/large. Both the sizes are made from hypoallergenic stainless steel blades, which are designed to ensure proper sharpness throughout its lifetime. The handles are also coated with rubber that enhance control and precision in order to help you and your pet enjoy a rather comfortable and stress-free nail cutting experience.
Pros
Pros
- It is made with hypoallergenic stainless steel blades that ensure its sharpness remains intact.
- The handles come with rubber grips for better control and comfort.
- The semi-circular indentations on the blades help you see what and where you cut.
Cons
Cons
- It seems to mush the cat nails instead of making clean cuts.
- May sometimes break if used with too much force.
⑧ JW Pet Gripsoft Deluxe Cat Nail Trimmer
These clippers are designed to make cat nail clipping experience simple and comfortable. This is basically a guillotine style trimmer that helps you to cut the nails without much of a stress. The handles come with rubber-sheathed design that provides comfort and control while you hold the clipper. The anti-slip grips will also enhance the comfort and control provided by the handles.
Pros
Pros
- Comes with an easy-to-use guillotine style design.
- Designed to help you get proper comfort and control while using it.
- The size of the clipper is also appropriate for a proper cut.
Cons
Cons
- It tends to cut the nails in a choppy manner.
- It may stop working after a few uses.
⑨ FURminator Nail Clippers for Dogs and Cats
This is a rather uniquely designed nail clipper that is suitable for both cats and dogs. The design of the clipper makes it safe and simple to use and also gets rid of any discomfort while clipping the nails. The blades are made of stainless steel and are rather sharp that ensures a clean and fast trim. The handle is also ergonomically designed and come with a non-slip grip to help you cut your pet’s nails with total comfort and control.
Pros
Pros
- The blades are made from stainless steel and are pretty sharp.
- Ensures a clean and even cut without crushing the nails.
- The handles come with a non-slip grip for better control and comfort.
Cons
Cons
- It may not work for large breed dogs.
- The clipper may leave the nails chipped and frayed sometimes.
⑩ PetSpy Dog and Cat Nail Clipper
If you do not wish to see talons growing on your cat’s paws then you should use a good quality nail clipper such as this one. This nail clipper comes with super sharp blades what comes with a guarantee to offer clean cuts for the rest of its lifetime. The handles also come with a comfortable grip that provides better control and precision and does not let the clipper slip out of your hands. This will let you clip your feline friend’s nails with confidence.
Pros
Pros
- The blades are made from 3.5mm stainless steel and are rather sharp.
- The handle comes with an anti-slip grip for better control and precision.
- The product is also recommended by professionals.
Cons
Cons
- It seems too big to be used on cats.
- It may not produce a clean trim for cats.
Conclusion & What are the Best Cat Nail Clippers
All the products discussed above are of good quality and some can even be used both on cats and dogs. The list above will also give you an idea about the type of clippers to buy when you decide to clip the nails of your pet cats. Out of all those discussed above, the best of the lot was the JW Pet Gripsoft Nail Clipper (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE).
It is suitable for cats of all ages and breeds and the overall design of the product helps you to groom your cat with better control and comfort. The handles also come with their Gripsoft technology that prevents the clipper from slipping from your hands while using it. The handles are also ergonomically designed to fit the natural curvature of your hand.
It is a common sight to see cats scratching their paws either on things within their reach or on their own body. This may often leave shredded clothes or curtains in your house. If you do not wish to see such sights, then a timely trip of their nails will save you a lot of trouble. Always take your time while choosing a suitable clipper for your cat. It is also recommended to keep an eye on the quick so that you do not hurt your pet in any way while giving it a nice pedicure.
Frequency of Cat Nail Clips
How often you clip the nails of your pet cat, is largely dependent upon the scratching habit of your pet. If the animals prefer to scratch quite often in order to sharpen its nails, then clipping its nails once every 2 weeks will be a good idea. If you wait longer, then you will soon find your cat nails turning into talons just like razor blades.
When it comes to younger cats or basically kittens, it will be a good thing to clip their nails more often. You should try clipping their nails once every week followed by a tasty treat. This will also build a strong bond between the two of you. The idea of clipping one paw at a time over a period of a few days for kittens is also a good one to follow.
How To Make My Cat Get Accustomed To Nail Clipping Sessions?
The simple answer to this question is the greater the frequency of clipping your pet’s nails, the faster they will get used to the sessions. It is suggested that you start from a young age. Trim the kitten’s nails often and also give treats to the pet after every session or after every paw is completed. However, if you have an adult cat that simply dislikes the idea of getting its nails clipped, here are some options you can follow.
- Firstly, you will have to ensure that your cat does not get scared at the mere sight of the nail clippers. You will have to make your pet get familiar with the clippers. The way to do so will be to leave the clippers in such a place that is often frequented by your cat. The bed where the animal sleeps or any other place where the pet sleeps will be a great location. Apart from the clippers acquiring your pet’s scent, she will also get used to the sight of it and associate it with something she prefers such as sleeping.
- Sometimes, new sounds can easily frighten your cat. While clipping the nails, your pet is unable to see the process. It is just able to hear the clipping sound. Thus, it will be a good idea to make your cat get familiar with the clipping sound. Although, this may sound rather foolish, it actually works. You may start off by cutting pieces of uncooked raw spaghetti near your pet while she does something she really enjoys. She will soon associate the clipping sound with something she loves to do.
- Finally, you may trim the nails of your cat gradually if the animal dislikes it or is pretty afraid of it. It will be a good idea to trim one paw at a time or even trimming a couple of nails at a time will be enough.
Is Clipping The Nails Of A Kitten Necessary?
It is already discussed above that clipping the nails of your kittens are rather important. When they are young, it is always better to teach them new things in life. During a young age, their minds are clear and they do not have any personal preferences as such. Kittens are also far more impressionable at their ages and handling them is much easier as compared to when they grow up.
Teaching nail clipping to your kittens from a tender age will give you several advantages over the long period of time. If you start clipping their nails from a young age, they will get used to the process pretty fast and come up with minimal complaints.
However, it is important to remember that kitten nails are far smaller in size than adult cats. This is why using traditional clippers may not be a good idea. It will be better to use high quality human nail clippers for your kitten. However, do not make the mistake of using human nail clippers for adult cats as these clippers are not designed to cut a nail of their thickness. It may easily shatter their nails instead of clipping, which can be a rather painful experience for the pet.
Things to Consider While Clipping Cat Nails
There are several things to consider when you sit down to clip the nails of your cat. A couple of these factors have been discussed below.
- Be Careful Of The Quick: When you talk about the quick, it is basically the section of the nail that has multiple nerve endings that pump blood continuously into the nails of your pet. If you look closely, you can easily see it because it is of a different color from the rest of the cat’s nail. If you cut into this part of the nail, it may result in tremendous pain and it may also prove to be dangerous for your feline friend. Thus, you have to be extra careful while clipping the nails of your cat. Even if you cut the quick by mistake, your pet’s nail will start bleeding immediately. You may counter this by using a styptic gel or powder in order to ensure that you can stop the bleeding almost immediately.
- Dress Intelligently: It will not be a bad idea if you dress intelligently when you sit down to clip your pet’s nails. Although you will not require anything unique, it will be a good idea to wear something with multiple layers and long sleeves. Wearing such types of clothes will protect your skin from the sharp claws of your cat after getting clipped.
