The Best Cat Nail Trimmers
Trimming your cat’s claws prevents the nails from becoming ingrown, which can cause pain or infection. Claws that are too long can also cause injury to the cat or to the humans around it, and they can also damage furniture. While some cats will naturally scratch to reduce their claw length, this isn't always possible, especially for elderly cats. When looking for a cat nail trimmer, it's important to find something that does the job effectively and has ease of use. If you are in the market for a new pair of cat nail trimmers, here are our top picks.
Best Choice
For precise and safe cuts
Pros:
The blades are made from stainless-steel which won’t rust, and also ensures a smooth cut. The large handles also allow for an ergonomic grip, as well as enough pressure to be applied when cutting. The clippers have a ninety-day money-back guarantee and also come with a four-year warranty. With every Pet Republique purchase, 15% of the sale is donated to the American Animal Rescue Society. These clippers are currently Amazon’s Choice for cat nail clippers, due to their excellent quality.
Cons:
Some users found these clippers split the nails of their cat, rather than giving a clean cut. Also, the clippers do not open very wide. However, you are able to obtain a refund if you are unhappy with this product.
Best Ergonomic Grip
Designed for small pets
Pros:
The coil spring assists with pressure, meaning you are able to get a clean and accurate cut through your pet’s nails. The handles have ridges to assist with grip, which will also help when applying pressure. The blades are made from thick stainless-steel and come along with a lifetime guarantee. There is also a safety mode that locks the blades, that prevents children or animals from being able to harm themselves on them.
Cons:
The blades aren’t specifically for cats, and although they will still work, if your cat is quite small, you could end up applying too much pressure. There is a larger size available, but not a smaller size.
Best for Small Cats
Trimming made safe and easy for you
Pros:
These clippers are specifically designed for small animals including cats, making them gentle yet effective. The blades have claw-shaped ridges to help with the clipping process. On top of that, those durable and hypoallergenic blades are made of stainless-steel to ensure long-lasting quality. Regarding the security aspect, this trimmer has to offer an effective slip-proof coating around its handle. The manufacturer provides a lifetime guarantee, and 15% of each purchase goes to animal rescue charities.
Cons:
The edge of the clipper is quite thick, making it tricky to see where you are cutting along the nail. However, a top tip is to rub baby oil along the nail to make it easier to see as you are cutting to avoid accidents.
Best Easy-to-Use
For cats of all sizes
Pros:
The curved blade fits the shape of your cat’s nail better, to give precise and comfortable clipping. The blades are made from stainless-steel, and overall, the construction is excellent and of high quality. The handle is rubberized to ensure ease of use and protect against accidental nicks and cuts. It also contains instructions on the correct method to clip your cat’s claws. These clippers have a 100% satisfaction lifetime guarantee.
Cons:
The curved blade may get some getting used to. However, the brand also sells a straight-bladed version. Instructions are also provided if you are unsure of how to use the curved blade, which will be better for your cat to use.
Best for Bigger Cats
Pros:
Available in multiple sizes to ensure the correct fit for your pet. The blades are thick and of good quality, which makes it easy to cut through your cat’s claws. There is also a safety latch to prevent injury to your animal. The handles have indents to promote both a good grip and accurate cut. There is also a spring to assist with grip and help increase the pressure of the blades. CleanHouse Pets offers a lifetime guarantee on these clippers to ensure customer satisfaction.
Cons:
Clippers with larger handles might offer too much power for kittens or smaller cats, especially with the spring assistance. Also, the appearance of bigger clippers might be intimidating for cats compared to smaller clippers.
What Really Matters
Ease of Use
Clipping the claws of an animal is no easy task, especially with cats who are notoriously fussy. From your cat’s perspective, they don’t understand what is happening and may perceive the clippers as a threat. The ideal pair of clippers will allow you to clip your cat’s claws safely and easily, causing the least amount of distress to your animal. Some clippers on the market are made from poor materials. As a result, they don’t clip through the nail properly and require multiple attempts to complete the job, which can be dangerous–not to mention frustrating. Look out for clippers that are made of good quality materials so that they can clip your cat’s nails as quickly and easily as possible.
Quality Materials
As we’ve established, quality materials will make the difference between a great experience and a bad one for both owner and animal. But what exactly are the materials to look out for? Within the blade, stainless-steel ensures good pressure, and this material also won’t rust making it ideal to clean or disinfect after use if needed. Within the handle, lookout for a design that allows for a good grip. Thin plastic that is flimsy will not allow for the correct amount of pressure needed to cut through the nail. Equally, you don’t want to use a pair of clippers on your cat that are too powerful and could cause harm. It will also depend on the nature of your cat and how comfortable they are having their nails clipped, as to what style is best to go for.
Safety Features
Cat nail trimmers are blades, and so safety precautions need to be adhered to ensure no injury comes to them or any small children you have in the house. However, within the design, it’s also possible to find trimmers that also have safety features built-in, for example, blades that have a lock mechanism that needs human intervention to release. Or, a safety latch that protects the blade when not in use. Always be sure to keep your trimmers out of reach of pets and children.
What’s in Right Now?
Not all blades are created equal. A current trend within animal clippers is the difference in blade shapes, primarily choosing a curved blade over a straight one. What this does is it will clip the claw of your animal in a natural shape, similar to if your pet was able to wear their claws down themselves. With age, injury, and even with lifestyle, wearing claws down naturally may not be possible for your cat. So, having the blade cut the nail in a natural shape will help prevent ingrown nails and possible infection.
Prices
Cheap
An inexpensive pair of cat nail trimmers can be purchased for $5. Cheaper nail clippers tend to be suitable for just cats due to their small blade size, so they can actually work out as great value if you don’t have other animals who require them, too.
Mid-Range
The average price for cat nail trimmers is $8. At this price point, you can find multiple different sizes, handles and blade thicknesses. The majority of cat nail clippers are made from stainless-steel, offering durability and longevity.
Expensive
A professional-grade pair of cat nail trimmers retails at $10 and above. If you are a pet groomer or have found previous clippers to be inadequate, then it’s worth investing in a better-quality pair.
FAQs
Why do cats need their nails clipped?
The majority of cats will scratch their claws which will help reduce the length of the nail. However, this isn’t the case with all cats especially if they are elderly, if they are an outdoor cat, if they don’t have adequate scratching facilities, or they don’t have good mobility. Your cat could also have an issue with ingrown nails that have become infected.
How do I clip my cat’s nails?
Firstly, gather your supplies including your cat nail trimmers, a towel to provide comfort and styptic powder in case a nail bleeds. Place your cat in your lap, and have it face away from you. If you wrap your cat in the towel, this will keep them calm and help with the logistics. Use your forearm to keep your cat in place, by gently placing it over your cat’s neck as it sits in your lap. Pick up your cat’s paw and give it a gentle massage. Apply light pressure to the footpad to reveal the nail. Find the quick, which is the pink portion of the nail that contains the blood supply–you do not want to cut this. Position the clippers so that you are cutting it from top to bottom, not side to side as this will simply split the nail, not cut through it. Be sure to only cut the sharp portion of the claw and not the quick. If you do accidentally cut the quick, use styptic powder to stop any bleeding.
How often should I clip my cat’s nails?
Cats require their nails clipping every ten to fourteen days, which is surprisingly frequent. The reason for this is because, like humans, cats’ nails are constantly growing. If they grow too long, the nail becomes curved which means it will not retract properly. A telltale sign that your cat’s nails are too long is if you’ve noticed they get their claws stuck in carpets and similar surfaces. Nails that are too long can cause pain, infection and mobility problems for your cat. So, keeping on top of regular nail clipping is an important responsibility as a pet owner.
What are the best ways to relax my cat to clip their nails?
It goes without saying that if you are stressed, your animal will sense this. Your cat’s nails need to be trimmed two to three times a month, so this is a process they are not only going to have to get used to but learn not to be phased by it. If your cat is particularly nervous or fidgety, it may help to swaddle them in a towel to keep them calm. By rubbing a drop of baby oil on the nail, it will make the nail more visible, which allows you to cut more accurately and quickly. After you have cut your cat’s nails, be sure to follow up with plenty of positive reinforcement.
Can I use the same nail trimmers for all my animals?
Some nail trimmers will specifically state they are for multiple animals such as cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc. Generally speaking, it makes sense to find a pair of clippers that work on all your animals as this will save money. However, you’ll need to make sure the blade accurately cuts the nail of each animal, considering that different animals have varying nail lengths and thicknesses. Also, if any of your animals have an infection of the nail, then sharing clippers between your other animals isn’t a good idea. So, use common sense to ensure the safety and comfort of all your animals.
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