The best dog nail clippers in 2025, tested and reviewed

Highly active dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors may naturally wear down their nails, but most still need regular trimming with a pair of the best dog nail clippers. Keeping nails short prevents them from curling and growing into the paw pads, a painful and potentially dangerous condition. Additionally, dogs with shorter nails are less likely to scratch wood floors or, worse, your arms and legs when they jump up on you.

During my eight years as a veterinary assistant, I trimmed the nails of thousands of pets and have used a variety of dog nail clippers, including plier-style, guillotine, and grinders. For this guide, I tested 11 different clippers and four grinding tools with four dogs. I recommend the Andis Pet Nail Clipper for smooth and easy cuts for the nails of large dogs. The JW Pet Grip Soft Deluxe Pet Nail Clippers in size medium are excellent for maneuvering around small nails.

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Our top picks for the best dog nail clippers

Best for large dogs: Andis Pet Nail Clipper - See at Chewy

Best for small dogs: JW Pet Grip Soft Deluxe Pet Nail Clipper (Medium) - See at Chewy

Best guillotine clippers: Resco Original Deluxe Dog Nail Clippers (Small/Medium) - See at Chewy

Best nail grinder: Dremel PawControl 7760-PGKD Deluxe Pet Nail Trimming Kit - See at Chewy

Best budget: Millers Forge Pet Nail Clipper - See at Chewy

Best for large dogs

Big dogs often have thick, large nails, and some medium-sized breeds do, too. The Andis Pet Nail Clipper makes trimming these tough nails easy, thanks to its durable design and sharp blades.

I tested these clippers on both a Labrador retriever and a golden retriever. The sharp blades easily and smoothly cut through their thick nails, without any splintering or shredding. The nonslip grip was comfortable in my hand, and the large tension spring made the handles easy to squeeze. Additionally, the clippers have a safety guard to prevent overcutting and hitting the quick and a locking mechanism to keep the clippers securely closed for easy storage.

I also used these clippers on a miniature poodle with medium-sized nails, and they worked well, making them a great choice if you have medium and large dogs. Another pair of clippers, the Safari Professional Nail Trimmers, are similarly constructed and nearly identical to the Andis clippers in feel and performance. However, the Andis clippers stand out for their two-year warranty and lower price.

Best for small dogs

The JW Pet Grip Soft Deluxe Pet Nail Clipper in size medium is an excellent choice for dogs with small or thin nails. I tried them with a miniature poodle with medium-sized nails and a 10-pound mixed-breed dog with small nails. The gel-like nonslip handle is especially comfortable to hold, and the sharp stainless steel blades deliver smooth, clean cuts with minimal noise. The clippers also feature a quick guard to prevent overcutting and a locking mechanism for safe storage. I always lock my nail clippers after using them to protect the blade.

Cassie Edmond, an animal care specialist at the San Diego Humane Society, prefers using small nail clippers for puppies or dogs whose nails have grown too long and are beginning to curl toward the paw pad. She says the smaller blades offer better control when maneuvering around curled nails.

These clippers are also a good fit for people with small hands. If you have larger hands, though, you might find the handles a bit tricky to grip comfortably.

Best guillotine clippers

I tested the Resco Original Deluxe Dog Nail Clippers in size small/medium on a miniature poodle with medium-sized nails and a 10-pound mixed-breed dog with small nails. They outperformed the guillotine-style clippers I tested from Millers Forge. The Resco clippers had a sharper blade that delivered clean, smooth cuts, while the Millers Forge blade didn't feel as sharp or cut as smoothly.

Although the Resco clippers don't have a rubber grip on the handles, they were still comfortable to hold and easy to squeeze, similar to my other picks for the best dog nail clippers. They're also built to last, made from chrome-plated steel. And when the blade eventually dulls, you can simply replace it with a blade replacement kit rather than buying a whole new pair.

Guillotine clippers require less force to operate than plier-style clippers, which can make trimming easier on your hands. However, they aren't as strong, so they're not ideal for dogs with very large or thick nails. Instead, they're best suited for dogs with small or medium-sized nails and are also great for cats. Another advantage is that they're very quiet, which can be helpful for pets that get nervous around the loud snapping sound some plier-style clippers make.

It's important to note that guillotine clippers don't come with a quick-guard safety feature. To avoid cutting the quick, trim small amounts of the nail at a time. You'll want to use extra caution, as a dog's nail can sometimes get caught in this style of clipper. If your dog pulls away suddenly, it could lead to a painful injury or even a torn nail.

Best nail grinder

Some nail grinders are designed specifically for pet owners, while others are tailored more to professional groomers. My top pick for the best dog nail grinder, the Dremel PawControl 7760-PGKD, strikes a balance that is ideal for both beginners and pros.

Grinders are a great alternative for dogs who are nervous around clippers or have black nails, where it's difficult to see the quick. They're suitable for dogs of all sizes and are especially effective on thick nails. I tested the Dremel grinder on a miniature poodle with medium-sized nails and a Labrador retriever with large nails, and it handled both with ease.

This cordless grinder is quiet and gentle. I especially liked the grinding disc recommended for beginners — it quickly filed down the nails. The grinding disc works in combination with guard attachments that enclose the spinning parts of the tool and add an extra layer of safety. The enhanced safety afforded by these attachments is the main reason this grinder edged out its closest competitor: the Wahl Grind and Smooth Battery Nail Grinder.

The Dremel grinder comes with band attachments that offer more maneuverability, but they require more skill and confidence since they can't be used with the guard attachments. I tested the grinder with both options and found I preferred the grinding disc, which gave me added peace of mind.

The kit comes with a variety of sanding bands and discs, but what really sets it apart is the nail safety guard and paw guide. These features helped me maintain a proper trimming angle. Like all grinders, there's a bit of a learning curve, but Dremel's Quick Start Guide is incredibly useful. It offers clear recommendations on which attachments and speeds to use, especially for beginners. As with all nail grinders, the grinding heads need occasional replacement. While professional groomers may need to do this more frequently, pet owners should find that the heads last quite a while.

Read my full Dremel dog nail grinder review.

Best budget

The Millers Forge Pet Nail Clipper stands out for its simplicity, reliable performance, and excellent value at under $8. These were the quietest plier-style clippers I tested, a big plus for skittish dogs. The blades are sharp and cut smoothly and easily. The sharp blades delivered smooth, easy cuts, and the metal handles have slip-on rubber grips that felt comfortable in my hand. That said, I did notice that the grips occasionally slid down the handles during use.

I've used these clippers a lot over the years, particularly during my time as a veterinary assistant. The stainless steel blades maintain their sharpness even with frequent use. The blades' thin design makes it easy to maneuver around each nail, and the quick-guard safety feature and locking mechanism for secure storage add an extra layer of convenience and peace of mind.

These clippers are compact and have a narrow blade opening, so they aren't the best choice for very large dogs or those with very thick nails. However, they worked great when I tested them on a miniature poodle with medium-sized nails and a 10-pound mixed-breed dog with small nails.

What to look for in dog nail clippers

It can be hard to know what type of nail clippers will be best for your dog — and you. I asked Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer at the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, what qualities are essential in a good pair of dog nail clippers.

Appropriate style for your needs: Nail clippers come in four main designs. Guillotine nail clippers have a loop at the end and a blade that slices upward when you squeeze the handle. These are easy to use, but making precise cuts can be challenging. They are best for small and medium-sized dog nails as they aren't as strong as other styles.

Scissor-style nail clippers are double-bladed and used just like a pair of scissors. They are easy to use and best for dogs with small or thin nails. Klein says they are not the best for large, thick nails because they usually aren't strong enough. Pliers-style clippers are similar to scissors clippers but much stronger thanks to a spring between the handles. These clippers are great for dogs with large, thick nails and also work well for medium-sized dogs.

Finally, electric or battery-powered nail grinders, similar to Dremel tools, are great for slowly and gently filing the nails down rather than cutting them. Klein says nail grinders are popular with dog groomers and show dog handlers because they produce smooth, rounded nails. They're also a great option for dogs that dislike having their nails trimmed. Keep in mind that nail grinders vibrate and can be somewhat loud, so it might take some time for dogs to get used to them.

Quality materials: Dog nail clippers usually have metal blades and plastic handles, but some styles are all metal, with or without rubber grips on the handles. Klein says the best dog nail clippers have blades made of stainless steel or carbonated steel because they are durable and easy to clean. On large pliers-style nail clippers, look for strong springs between the handles. Bonus if the blades are replaceable.

Safety features: Trimming dog nails can be tricky. You don't want to cut the quick — the vein inside the nail — because it will hurt your dog and cause the nail to bleed. When choosing nail clippers, look for safety features, such as nail guides or safety stops, which allow you to adjust the amount of nail you're trimming so you don't cut too far. Nail grinders ideally have safety guards that prevent anything from touching the rotating parts of the tool.

Sizing: When choosing dog clippers, compare the cutting blade to the size of your dog's nails. Klein says that small dogs generally need smaller clippers, and large and giant dogs need larger clippers. He also says clippers should fit comfortably in a person's hands so they have good control when trimming their dog's nails.

How we tested the best dog nail clippers

I tested 11 different pairs of nail trimmers and four grinding tools, using them on four dogs with different-sized nails: a Labrador retriever and a golden retriever with large, thick nails, a miniature poodle with medium-sized nails, and a 10-pound mixed-breed dog with small nails.

The clippers and grinders were tested on the miniature poodle with medium-sized nails. Additionally, I tested the small clippers on the small mixed breed dog, the large clippers on the Lab and golden retriever, and nail grinders on the Lab. Overall, I assessed each clipper for ease of use, performance, sharpness, safety, and quality.

In my initial round of testing, each tool was tested at least once per dog, but the front-runners were tested multiple times to narrow down the category winners. I waited several weeks in between testing for the dogs' nails to grow back.

To gauge long-term durability, I continued to use the nail trimmers that received the highest marks to trim my miniature poodle's nails. For five months after that, I clipped my dog's nails about every two weeks and rotated clippers. After each trim, I used the nail grinding tool to buff the nail edges.

Ease of use: I assessed how controlled the clippers felt in my hand and whether they were easy to squeeze closed. When cutting a dog's nails, you don't want to struggle or feel uncomfortable using a nail trimmer. For nail grinders, I evaluated how easy they were to set up, hold, and use.

Performance: I tested each pair of clippers to make sure they worked as advertised. For instance, large dog nail clippers should easily and effectively clip through tough nails, and small clippers should be appropriately sized for smaller nails. For nail grinders, I evaluated how well the grinding bands or discs smoothed out the nails and how loud each grinder was.

Sharpness: Although the cutting blades will inevitably dull over time, they should be very sharp to ensure a swift, clean cut through the nails. Inferior, dull blades tend to shred or splinter the nail rather than slice clean through.

Safety: I evaluated the effectiveness of any nail safety guards and the presence of a locking mechanism that allows the clippers to be stored safely in the closed position. For nail grinders, I assessed the tool's safety options and how safe it felt to operate.

Quality: I considered the quality of each clipper's materials and construction. A good pair of clippers should feel sturdy and appear well-made, and all parts should function as intended. For nail grinders, I assessed the assembly of the tool and how it felt when using it.

Dog nail clipper FAQs

What nail clippers do vets recommend for dogs?

Generally, the best dog nail clippers should be easy to hold and have a sharp blade for smooth cutting. If your dog has very small or large nails, choose a nail clipper that correlates. Look for clippers with stainless steel blades, which are strong and resist rusting. A quiet nail clipper is a bonus for timid dogs or those who are reluctant to have their nails trimmed. At the end of the day, though, choosing the right dog nail trimmer comes down to your comfort using it.

Is it better to grind or clip dog nails?

Nail clippers cut through the nail, whereas nail grinders file the nail down to a shorter length. Some dogs prefer the sensation of nail grinding over clipping, and you're less likely to cut into the quick with a grinder. "When grooming, 9 times out of 10, I will just grind a dog's nails instead of trimming," Edmond says. "Nail clippers can leave a jagged rough edge on the nail, but a nail grinder can buff out the sharpness and round the nail all the way down to the quick." On the flip side, some dogs dislike nail grinders' loud sounds and vibrations. These tools also have a learning curve to use them safely and comfortably. Dr. Melissa Smits, a veterinarian who was a partner at Fort Morgan Veterinary Clinic at the time of my interview, recommends using the tool you feel most comfortable with, which will make your dog most comfortable.

How do I care for dog nail clippers and grinders?

After each use, wipe your clippers clean. Close the clippers and engage the safety lock to protect the blade when not in use. If your nail clippers get wet, dry them thoroughly before storing them indoors in a plastic or cloth bag with all of the grinding accessories. If nail clippers or grinders are left outside and exposed to dampness and temperature extremes, the metal can rust, and the plastic can warp.

How often should I trim my dog's nails?

The general rule of thumb is to trim your dog's nails before they grow long enough to click on the floor, but the frequency is unique to each dog. All nails grow at different rates, and dogs wear them down differently. Big, heavy dogs that run around outside may naturally wear their nails down, requiring less frequent trimming. "A Yorkie that barely touches the ground most days might need a nail trim every two weeks," Smits says. "An Iditarod training or marathon running pal might never need one."

How far down do I cut the nail?

Trim the nail as short as you can without cutting into the quick, which is the vein that runs down the center of the nail. If your dog has white nails, it's easy to see the quick. If your dog has black nails, it's harder to know precisely how far to cut. Conservatively clip just the hooked part of the nail to be safe. You can also ask your veterinarian for a demonstration on your dog. For more detailed directions, check out our tutorial on how to cut or grind your dog's nails the right way.

When should I start trimming my puppy's nails?

Start nail trimming as early as possible so your puppy learns to accept it. Even older dogs can learn to accept nail trimming if you approach it the right way. "Introduce the dog to the nail trimming procedure in a slow, fun, rewarding manner," Smits says. "This will enable the dog to fall in love with the attention that comes with getting a pedicure and time with you."

Does nail trimming hurt my dog?

As long as you don't cut too far down, trimming your dog's nails hurts no more than trimming your own nails. However, be very careful not to cut the quick. The quick is extremely sensitive. Cutting into it is painful and will cause the nail to bleed. It may also cause your dog to become resistant to nail trimming in the future.

What should I do if I cut my dog's nail and it bleeds?

If you accidentally nick the quick, use styptic power to cauterize it and stop the bleeding. Scoop up a small amount of powder onto your finger or with a piece of gauze and press it gently but firmly against the nail. Hold for a minute or so until the bleeding stops. If you don't have styptic powder, you can use flour or cornstarch instead.

I'm too nervous to trim my dog's nails. Who will do it for me?

If you are uncomfortable trimming your dog's nails or are concerned your pet might bite if you try to cut their nails, seek professional help. Most groomers include nail trimming in their regular services. You can also make an appointment to have your dog's nails trimmed at your veterinary hospital. "If the dog is an amiable sort, groomers are a phenomenal option," Smits says. However, dogs who may become aggressive during nail trimming would benefit from a trim at the vet's office where they can use sedation if necessary.

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