Trimming a cat’s nails is important to keep your cat’s physical and mental well-being in a good state. Regular clipping will also help reduce the uncontrolled scratching of your furniture.
Next to the cat scratching posts and cat nail caps, trimming cat nails is one of the alternatives to a maiming procedure of declawing.
Clipping your cat nails, especially if your cat hasn’t been accustomed to it from an early age, may not be easy, but a good-quality and sharp pair of clippers can go a long way to make an experience smooth and stress-free.
There is an overwhelming number of various cat nail clippers on the market and choosing the best one can be daunting. To save you time, we have reviewed dozens of trimmers and picked only the best cat nail clippers so that you can choose from the list of the best ones.
We also encourage you to read our full guide to cat nail trimmers at the bottom of this article.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
The Top 5 Best Cat Nail Clippers in 2023
| Brand | ||
|---|---|---|
| SHINY PET Cat Nail Clippers |   | |
| Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers |   | |
| Epica Professional Cat Nail Clipper |   | |
| JW Pet GripSoft Cat Nail Clippers |   | |
| WALKINNWITH Cat Nail Trimmer with Light |   |
Best Cat Nail Clippers – Reviews
1. SHINY PET Cat Nail Clippers – Best Cat Nail Clippers Overall
The ergonomic design of SHINY PET Cat Nail Clippers will make trimming your cat’s nails easy and quick.
These claw scissors have stable and very sharp blades which allow for a clean and precise cut with no risk of splitting or crushing your cat’s nails.
The blades are semi-circular and positioned under a 20-degree angle which enables you to get a clear view of the cutting area. The blades are made from stainless steel which means they will not rust.
The scissors feature rubberized, anti-slip handles that allow for a firm and secure grip. The ergonomic handles stay firmly in your hand, preventing it from sliding and slipping and causing an unwanted accident.
With the dimensions of 3.7 x 2.6 x 0.6 in, these cat nail clippers are small and easy to maneuver around a cat and her paws.
With the purchase of these scissors, you will get access to an instructional ebook on how to trim a cat’s nails.
Cat owners who bought these cat nail trimmers praised them for being lightweight, compact, gentle, easy to use, and silent. They said the scissors are easy on the hands, very sharp, and don’t require a lot of effort. They cut the nail neatly and thoroughly.
SHINY PET Cat Nail Clippers Key Features:
- Scissors style clippers
- Stable and sharp blades for a clean and precise cut
- Blades have a 20-degree angle for a better view of the cutting area
- Blades are made from stainless steel
- Rubberized and anti-slip handles for a firm and secure grip
- Comes with an informational ebook on how to clip a cat’s nails
- Dimensions: 3.7 x 2.6 x 0.6 inches
2. Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers – Cat Nail Clippers for Best Precision
Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers are the best selling cat nail clippers in Japan.
The clippers are made from high-quality stainless steel expertly crafted in Japan.
The blades are 30% thinner than conventional clippers, which makes it easy to see the quick at the base of the nail and avoid cutting too far.
The blades are razor-sharp and cut the nail cleanly, precisely, and smoothly, without splintering or crushing.
The clippers feature cushioned, non-slip handles which allow making safe, accurate cuts with ease.
We promise you and your precious kitty a stress-free nail-trimming experience for years to come.
Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers Key Features:
- Scissors style clippers
- 30% thinner than conventional clippers for more accuracy and precision
- Thin and razor-sharp blades for a clean and precise cut
- Blades are made from stainless steel
- Cushioned and anti-slip handles for a firm grip
- Dimensions: 2.28 x 3.78 x 0.39 inches
- Expertly crafted in Japan
3. Epica Professional Cat Nail Clipper – Best Cat Nail Clippers for Large Cats
Epica Professional Cat Nail Clipper are heavy-duty cat clippers with a spring-loaded action mechanism.
The spring-loaded action mechanism requires less force on the groomer’s hand than the scissor-like clippers do. All it takes is a gentle squeeze.
The semi-circular blades allow for a clear view of the cutting area so that you don’t need to guess where to cut.
The blades are sharp and made from high-grade stainless steel. The edges cut sharply and precisely, without crushing or splintering the nails.
The blades of these cat nail clippers are thicker than in other cat nail trimmers, but there is no fear of cutting the quick because they feature a safety guard that prevents over-cutting. With this feature, you can always be sure that you won’t cut too far.
The thicker blades make them perfect for cats that are larger and have larger and stronger nails, that standard cat nail trimmers may not be able to handle.
The clippers feature rubber-coated handles for a secure and anti-slip grip. Together with sharp blades, they make you clip firmly and confidently.
Last but not least, the clippers also feature a safety lock mechanism that you can use while not using them for safe storage.
Epica Professional Cat Nail Clipper Key Features:
- Pliers style clippers
- Stable and sharp blades for a clean and precise cut
- Blades are made from high-grade, stainless steel
- Rubberized and anti-slip handles for a firm and secure grip
- Safety guard that prevents cutting too far
- Lock mechanism for safe storage
- Dimensions: 6 x 3.38 x 3.63 inches
4. JW Pet GripSoft Cat Nail Clippers – Best Cat Nail Clippers on a Budget
If you are looking for low-cost, but still good quality cat nail clippers, then you should give a go to the JW Pet GripSoft Cat Nail Clippers.
These clippers are small, simple, and cheap, but they guarantee a great quality of cutting and a stress-free cutting experience for you and your cat.
The clippers are quite short which allows for easy control and maneuvering. Mind that if you have large or puffy hands, it may be difficult for you to fit into the holes.
The handles are made from soft, plasticky-like rubber to avoid slipping, moving, and shifting.
The blades are in a semi-circle shape which allows for a better view of the cutting area so that you don’t cut too far to a cat’s quick.
Customers who bought these clippers said that the blades are sharp and cut through the cat’s nails quickly, cleanly, and accurately. They praised the clippers for making a smooth scissor movement with no effort on their side.
JW Pet GripSoft Cat Nail Clippers Key Features:
- Scissors style clippers
- Cost less than $4
- Thin and sharp blades for a clean and accurate cut
- Plasticky-like rubber handles for a firm grip
- Dimensions: 5.75 x 0.25 x 4.25 inches
5. WALKINNWITH Cat Nail Trimmer with Light – Best Cat Nail Clippers with LED Light
If you have problems with eyesight and worry that you will hurt your cat, the WALKINNWITH Cat Nail Trimmer with Light is just what you need.
These clippers feature a LED light with an adjustable angle that will help you identify the quick easily so that you know exactly where to cut.
Another creative feature that we love about these cat clippers is a nail trapper. This is a small container attached to the clippers that capture the nail clippings so that they don’t end up on the floor. All you have to do after trimming your cat’s nails is to open the trapper and dump the clippings.
The blades are made from high-quality stainless steel for a fast and clean cut.
These clippers also feature a grinder. You can use it immediately after clipping the nail to smooth out the sharp edges.
WALKINNWITH Cat Nail Trimmer with Light Key Features:
- Pliers style clippers
- Blades are made from stainless steel
- LED guide light for identifying a quick easily
- Nail trapper for cleanliness
- Grinder for smoothing the nails
- Dimensions: 8.66 x 6.06 x 2.56 inches
6. Hertzko Professional Pet Nail Clipper – Best Cat Nail Clippers for Multi-Pet Households
Hertzko Professional Pet Nail Clipper are professional nail trimmers for cats and dogs, making them an ideal product for multi-pet households.
Cat owners who bought these pet clippers said they are well-constructed and of a premium-quality.
The clippers are made of high-grade, stainless steel blades that guarantee that the cat is clean and precise and doesn’t lead to splintering or a crushed nail.
The clippers are longer and bigger than usual cat nail clippers, but thanks to a safety guard, there is no risk you will cut your cat’s nails too far.
The handle is rubberized which prevents slipping and ensures the grip is secure and comfortable while maneuvering around the cat’s paws.
The trimmers feature a lock that allows for safe and convenient storage.
The product comes with a free nail file to smooth your cat’s nails after trimming.
Hertzko Professional Pet Nail Clipper Key Features:
- Pliers style clippers
- Stable and sharp blades for a clean and accurate cut
- Blades are made from high-grade stainless steel
- Rubberized and anti-slip handles for a secure and comfortable grip
- Safety guard that prevents over-cutting
- Lock mechanism for safe storage
- Dimensions: 6 x 4.7 x 0.6 inches
- Comes with a free nail file
Best Cat Nail Clippers – Buyer’s Guide
Why should you clip a cat’s nails
Cats sharpen their claws to remove the old, outer layers of the nail. If they don’t remove the old nails, their claws become overgrown. Overgrown nails can lead to pain, infection, stress, behavioral problems, and accelerated scratching on the furniture.
Cats in their natural habitat trim their nails scratching on trunks of the trees, wood, and various materials that they find outdoors. Unfortunately, cats kept exclusively outdoors may have a problem with successfully trimming their nails.
Scratching posts are a great solution, but even the best cat scratching post to file nails may not give the same experience as a proper scratch on a tree. When a cat is not satisfied she may turn to scratch your furniture. To avoid that, in addition to having a scratching post, you should also regularly trim your cat’s nails.
Who should buy cat nail clippers
Each cat owner who keeps their cat indoors should have a good-quality, sharp cat nail clippers to trim their cat’s nails to keep their cat in good physical and mental health.
Because cat nails should be trimmed at least once a month, having this procedure done at the vet could be very costly.
Benefits of clipping your cat’s nails
– Physical and mental wellbeing of your cat
– No expensive vet bills
– There is less scratching on your furniture
– Safe and human alternative to declawing
Things to consider when buying cat nail clippers
1) Blades
The blades must be high-quality, made from stainless steel, and very sharp to cut cleanly through the nail. If the blades are dull, they can result in crushing or splintering a cat’s nail which is painful and uncomfortable. Sharp blades also make the experience of cutting nails quick and stress-free for both you and your cat.
2) Ergonomic grip
When you hold the cat nail clippers, your grip should be firm, confident, and comfortable. Your hand should never slip from the handles because it can lead to an accident. Always look for anti-slip handles with ergonomic grip. These are usually covered with a rubber which prevents slipping and sliding.
3) Safety guard
Some cat nail clippers feature a safety guard which is a mechanism that prevents over-cutting, to the cat’s quick.
We would recommend picking trimmers with this feature. If your vision is not the best, or you think your hands are not that precise.
4) LED light
Some cat nail clippers also offer a LED light built-in feature. The LED light will make the area of a quick more visible so that you know where exactly to cut.
5) Types of cat nail clippers
There are three main types of clippers: scissors, pliers, and grinders.
Scissors and pliers are traditional and cost-effective types of trimmers. It’s up to your individual preference if it’s easier for you to cut your cat’s nails with scissors or pliers.
Nevertheless, it seems that more people tend to prefer scissors. Cat owners say it’s because it’s easier to position the scissors in the hand, while the spring-loaded mechanism of pliers forces them to keep having to reposition the pliers in the hand which is quite unhelpful when they also have to wrestle with the cat at the same time.
Grinders are electric and grind a cat’s nails through a rotating part on top that files the claws down. Unfortunately, grinders didn’t make it to our list of the best cat clippers because very few cat owners gave them good reviews. Cats are usually afraid of the loud sound these grinders give. It also takes longer to file a cat’s nail with a grinder than with traditional scissors or pliers.
How to trim your cat’s nails at home
To trim your cat’s nails, choose a time when your cat is relaxed. You can spritz a bit of a cat calming spray or give some other type of cat calming aid before the procedure to get your cat in a state of relaxation and calmness.
Position the back of your cat on your lap, so that his face, belly, and paws face outwards.
To expose a cat’s nails, press on the pad. Pressing on the pad will automatically extend the claws.
Proceed to trim the nails. Clip just the tips of the nails and avoid cutting too deep.
The base of the nail is called a quick. It contains blood vessels and nerves. Cutting into this area will be very painful for your cat and will cause bleeding. If you cut a cat’s quick, your cat will always associate trimming with a painful experience and she won’t let you trim her nails again in the future.
In case you accidentally cut a cat’s quick, you should use a styptic powder to stop bleeding.
After the nails are trimmed you may use a small nail fail to smooth the edges (it’s not necessary though, as the cat’s nails should smooth themselves after approximately 30 minutes of usage).
After trimming your cat’s nails, praise your cat, for example by giving her a treat so that your cat develops positive associations with having their nails trimmed.
It’s easy to sometimes lose a temper when your cat doesn’t want to cooperate, but you should never punish or scold your cat as it will only have an opposite effect and your cat will resent the trimming procedure in the future.
If your cat is very nervous and uneasy, try cutting the claws in installments. Even trimming one claw a day will be fine.
Best Cat Nail Clippers – Frequently Asked Questions
How can I cut my cat’s nails by myself?
You can cut your cat’s nails by using a pair of high-quality, sharp cat nail clippers.
Take your cat on your lap so that she sits on her back. Gently restrain or lightly squeeze your cat so that she can’t move too much.
Extend your cat’s paws and press on the pads so that the claws automatically extend.
Start clipping the ends of your cat’s nails, avoiding the base of the nail (so-called quick), where the blood vessels and nerves are situated.
Is it necessary to trim a cat’s claws?
To maintain healthy claws, cats need to remove the old, outer layers of their nails so that they don’t become overgrown.
Outdoor and wild cats shed their nails by scratching on trees or other rugged materials that they find outside.
If your cat spends most of their time indoors, they may not be able to successfully shred their nails even on a scratching post.
Therefore it’s important that you trim your cat’s nails regularly.
That way you keep your cat’s nails healthy, help reduce excessive scratching on the furniture, and prevent deep scratches on human skin.
What happens if you don’t trim your cat’s nails?
If you don’t trim your cat’s nails, the nails will become overgrown which may lead to pain, problems with mobility, and even infection.
Your cat may catch their claw on a carpet or other type of fabric which may even lead to a toe injury and expensive vet bills.
Another consequence of not trimming your cat’s nails is that your cat may start excessively scratch on your furniture.
Long, overgrown nails will also leave deeper scratches on human skin.
How often should I clip cat’s nails?
It’s recommended to trim a cat’s nails every 10 days to 2 weeks.
Can you use human nail clippers on a cat?
You can use human nail clippers to trim your cat’s nails if this is something you are comfortable with.
As long as the clippers are sharp and won’t crush or splinter the cat’s nails they are fine to be used.
Does trimming cat claws hurt them?
Trimming cat nails doesn’t hurt them, provided you do it with sharp cat nail clippers and you don’t cut a cat’s quick.
Sharp blades are vital in clipping cat nails so that the cut is clean and precise and quick.
You don’t want to crush, twist, or splinter a cat’s nail because it will be uncomfortable and may be painful for a cat.
You also must avoid cutting the base of a cat nail, so-called quick. A quick contains blood vessels and nerves.
Cutting this area will be extremely painful for a cat and will cause bleeding. A cat will also always associate the procedure with pain and will resent it in the future.
At what age can you start trimming a cat’s nails?
You can start trimming your cat’s nails at 4 weeks of age.
The earlier you start accustoming your cat to the procedure the easier it will be to clip your cat’s nails when your cat is an adult.
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