9 Best Cat Nail Clippers For Your Feline Friends

One of the greatest and most enduring frustrations of all cat owners is what to do about their claws. From the time they are tiny with their little pinprick nails up until they are full-grown, and those nails now leave stripes on our skin and furniture, cat claws can be an issue. 

To help you shop and find the best cat nail clippers, we have rounded 8 of the best cat nail trimmers on the market today. But before we dive in, learn your options and what to look for in the best cat claw clippers.

Options for Managing Sharp Cat Claws

Declawing is not the most humane route to take when it comes to considering the options concerning claw damage control. Not only is it a painful procedure that can affect the way a cat walks for the rest of its life, but it is also dangerous should your cat ever escape outdoors since it would have no way to defend itself or climb away from predators. 

Claw coverings are available but are not always practical. Scratching posts and mats can help redirect your cat's clawing tendencies, but there is still a chance that they will take out their stretches and scratches on your furniture. They also do nothing to prevent your cat from taking a swipe at you either. 

The most humane, practical, and easy route to take is to learn how to clip your cat's nails, much like you would a dog's. This keeps the sharp points blunt enough to reduce scratching damage while still allowing your cat to do some climbing.

Cutting your cat's nails is a pretty straightforward task, and once you get the hang of it, it will be an easy and quick job that will save you and your furniture from any more feline fiascos. 

What To Look For In The Best Cat Nail Clippers

Picking cat nail clippers will be important if you are to make nail trimming a regular habit. There are a number of kinds and types of cat nail clippers, and you will want to familiarize yourself with the various features so you can make the best choice for you and your cat friend. 

Styles

There are four nail clipper styles.

Scissor Style Clippers

This type of clipper looks just like a scissor. Many prefer scissors as it is more comfortable and easier to hold, and they are also easy to move around a nail without needing to apply too much pressure.

Guillotine Style Clippers

This clipper has a hole that puts the nail through before sliding the blade across to cut. This type of clipper stays sharper longer than other types, but it can be tricky to use.

Pliers Style Clippers

Pliers have more strength and are great for extra thick nails. They will provide a clean cut with just one cut.

Nail Grinders

A nail grinder can help file your cat's nails smooth, and their mechanical hum can be stressful for the cat, especially skittish cats. Unlike the other types, nail grinders are much safer to use.

Safety Guards

Some cat nail clippers feature a metal plate that serves as a safety guard alongside one side of the blades. This prevents you from accidentally cutting off too many nails or biting into the nails quickly. 

Light

Another particularly useful clipper feature to consider is whether or not clippers have a light. For cats with thick nails or dark to black nails, it can be more difficult to see where the quick start is so as to avoid it. Light can help illuminate the nail enough to make a more precise cut. 

Grip

The grip of your clippers is important. You will want something that fits your hand well so that you can cut comfortably and confidently without fearing slip-ups. 

Style of Blade

The style of the blade is another feature worth considering. Some cat owners prefer using a guillotine-style blade, while others prefer a more classic scissor-like clipper. All blades should be stainless steel to ensure quick, clean-cut, and neat trim nails.

Grinders

Grinders are a different kind of method of keeping your cat's nails trimmed. These electronic devices use a grindstone that spins to wear down the points of your pet's nails safely. They usually are a bit more expensive, but they are appropriate for any size animal since they usually have various port sizes and speed options. 

9 Best Nail Clippers For Your Feline Friends

It charges via an included USB cable and has an indicator light to tell you when it's running low and when it is fully charged up. The grinder can be used for about 7 hours on a full charge.

The grinding wheel is replaceable. This grinder is rechargeable with a USB port that can be plugged into a phone adapter, a laptop, or a power bank. The grinder can run up to 2 hours on a three-hour charge. 

The clippers also include an instruction EBOOK available if you scan the QR code on the back of the clippers packaging. This book can teach you how to properly cut your pet's nails to avoid accidents and keep a kitten's nails trimmed. 

Crafted from stainless steel blades, it is sharp enough to trim quickly and safely. It features a convenient and compact design which is perfect for all small animals. With the ergonomic handles, it is comfortable for pet parents to work on even the tiniest of paws.

How To Cut Cat Nails

Most cats do not like having their claws trimmed. And there are a few basic guidelines when it comes to cutting a cat's nails you need to know before you try.

Overall it is not a hard task, and if you can start out when your cat is young, it will become a very normal habit and not stressful for you or your feline friend. 

First, you need to make sure that you pick a time when both you and your cat are calm. Gently sit your cat on your lap facing away from you and stroke its paws to get it accustomed to the feeling. Gently squeeze the paw to make the claws extend. Once your cat is comfortable with this, carefully take the clippers and snip off just the very tip of the nail. 

Only cut white nails and steer clear of the darker part near the base of the cat's claws. This is the quick, nerve ending that will bleed if you cut into it and hurt your cat. You can also traumatize it and make the next nail-cutting event even harder. 

If you accidentally cut into the quick, just grab some flour, styptic powder, or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. 

FAQs

How Often To Trim Cat's Nails?

Like your nails, a cat's nail requires regular trimming too. Ideally, they will need to be trimmed every two to three weeks, with mature cats needing more frequent trimming than kittens. You may also find that you only need to do your cat's front paws to reduce the amount of rising or tearing it is able to do. 

Regular nail trims can help prevent your cat from scratching your hardwood floor and furniture, and it also helps prevent nails from growing too long and pressing into your cat's sensitive paw pads.

Can You Use Human Nail Clippers On Cats?

Not every nail clipper is the same. Even the best human nail clippers aren't suitable for cutting a cat's nail. Best for pet owners to avoid cutting cat's nails with human nail clippers.