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Best Cat Nail Clippers for 2020

Trimming our cat’s claws probably ranks as one of the worst jobs when it comes to caring for your pet. Not only can it be quite a strain, but it isn’t enjoyable for either party.

Yet it must be done to keep them in check, and investing in a really good pair of clippers can make the process a little bit smoother and easier. Not only will it get the job done faster, but the claws are less likely to bleed, become infected or split which causes future issues.

There are nail grinders out there which can file your pet’s nails, although this can make for a stressful experience so we have stuck to mostly scissor and plier-style clippers for our reviews of the best cat claw clippers.

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    Our Top Picks

    Image Product Details
    Best Overall
    Ancol Ergo Cat Nail Clipper
    Best Overall
    • Anti-slip handle
    • Can be washed
    		 Check Price
    Best For Strength
    Thunderpaws Professional-Grade Cat Nail Clippers
    Best For Strength
    • Rubber grip
    • Ergonomic design
    		 Check Price
    Best For Safety
    Mikki Grooming Claw Clipper
    Best For Safety
    • Long-lasting and durable blades
    • Loaded safety lock for safe storage
    		 Check Price

    Top 5 Best Cat Claw Clippers Reviewed

    Best Overall

    1.
    Ancol Ergo Cat Nail Clipper

    Ancol Ergo Cat Nail Clipper

    Easy for you to use as well as less stressful for your cat, these scissor-style clippers feel strong and substantial to ensure comfort at both ends.

    Easy to grip rubber handles make it easier for you to control their movement and positioning, which is important when making the cutting action. Blades are nice and sharp, so the cutting will actually take place too.

    Features

    • Anti-slip handle
    • Can be washed

    Specifications

    • Action: Scissor
    • Blade Material: Stainless steel
    Best For Strength

    2.
    Thunderpaws Professional-Grade Cat Nail Clippers

    Thunderpaws Professional-Grade Cat Nail Clippers

    These clippers are used by groomers and vets alike, so you instantly know they are quality and up for the task.

    With an angled tip, you are sure to get the best results each and every time, no matter the shape and length of the claws. It also means it is a one-action job, so you won’t have to make a few little cuts to get through it. The risk of overcutting is also reduced.

    Ensure you get the Cat version – the medium size will likely be far too large for small claws.

    Features

    • Rubber grip
    • Ergonomic design

    Specifications

    • Action: Plier
    • Blade Material: Stainless steel
    Best For Safety

    3.
    Mikki Grooming Claw Clipper

    Mikki Grooming Claw Clipper

    These clippers are used by groomers and vets alike, so you instantly know they are quality and up for the task.

    With an angled tip, you are sure to get the best results each and every time, no matter the shape and length of the claws. It also means it is a one-action job, so you won’t have to make a few little cuts to get through it. The risk of overcutting is also reduced, and there is a safety guard so you won’t cut too extremely.

    Ensure you get the Cat version – the medium size will likely be far too large for small claws.

    Features

    • Long-lasting and durable blades
    • Loaded safety lock for safe storage

    Specifications

    • Action: Plier
    • Blade Material: Stainless steel

    4.
    PetPäl Professional Nail Clippers

    PetPäl Professional Nail Clippers

    With optimised cutting for the perfect (yet safest) cut, these clippers are unsurprisingly used by professionals and vets.

    The ergonomic handles are easy to grip, and as they are coated in rubber, your hand won’t slip from them. Thanks to the safety protective guard, their claws won’t be cut too short, and they lock when not in use for safer storage.

    They’re a great price, especially as if you are comfortable using them, they will be much cheaper that professional grooming in the long run.

    Features

    • Non-slip rubber handles
    • Safety lock for easier storage

    Specifications

    • Action: Scissor
    • Blade Material: Steel

    5.
    Wahl E-Z Pet Nail Clipper & File

    Wahl E-Z Pet Nail Clipper & File

    Even though we said filers aren’t great and can be a bit scary for your cat, this is a 2-in-1 which will do both jobs depending on the mood your cat is in.

    There is an adjustable guard so you can limit the amount which can be cut off. This is a good idea for anyone who is starting out and means that any length claws can be cut.

    The high-speed rotary file can just add the finishing touches to each claw, either smoothing it or just ensuring there are no sharp edges left behind.

    Features

    • Non-slip rubber handles
    • Safety tip

    Specifications

    • Action: Scissor
    • Blade Material: Steel

    Buying Guide

    Action/Types Of Cat Claw Clipper

    This comes broadly under four sub-categories and mostly refers to the manner in which the clippers are used.

    Scissor

    Look just like a pair of small nail scissors. Good for cutting off a small part of the nail or tidying it up, or as a starter product

    Pliers

    Can be easier to control compared to scissors as they don’t open as wide. They are often firmer too

    File

    Just like with humans, these are best just to tidy up a claw such as getting rid of any sharp edges rather than cutting the claw back. With the noise and sensation, they may be too much for some cats to cope with

    Guillotine

    People often find these the most difficult to use, although they can give the best results. The claw is placed into a small hole, and then the clipping action takes off the end of the claw

    Other Buyers Ask...

    Why do cat claws need to be trimmed?

    Everybody knows that dog’s claws need to be kept intact, but it is just the same for cats too.

    • Prevent Breakages – If your cat’s claws become too long, they could break during playtime or scratching, which is painful for them
    • Prevent Ingrown Claws – When cats sharpen their claws, they are trying to remove the outer old layer, so this helps them along. Ingrown claws can be painful and become infected
    • Comfort – When human nails get too long, they start to curve and it becomes harder to use your hands. The same applies to cat claws, which curve downwards and make it harder to walk on their paws
    • Damage – Longer claws can harm your sofa or carpet if they get caught in them, and it also means a painful experience for your cat
    • Dangerous – Cats can scratch you even if they don’t mean to, and longer claws mean this is more painful for you. This also applies to when they are kneading – they do it out of love, even if you have to wince through it
    • Prevent Declawing – In days gone by, when an owner didn’t want to have to deal with a cat’s claws, they were entirely removed. This is bad practice and not recommended by vets any more, so this is more humane

    Can I just use human nail clippers?

    People do, but it is really not recommended. They often aren’t the right shape, they aren’t made for the same material and they often aren’t sharp enough. This could cause the claw to split or make the process much more difficult.

    They can also be harder to manage for such a small job, and you don’t want to risk any faults or accidents.

    How much should I spend?

    A decent pair of cat claw clippers can be bought for as little as £5, so they are not an expensive item to have to hand. The top price doesn’t go much more than £10, so the important thing to think about is how comfortable they look to hold, how you feel your cat will react and how easy they look to operate.

    Help and Resources

    Why You Should Never Declaw Your Cat

    How To Trim A Cat’s Claws
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