Updated: February 16, 2021 by Kristen Chapple
Cutting your furry bestie’s nails can be a harrowing experience. She wants to get away, you want to keep from being shredded to ribbons, and everyone’s nervous. But fear not! There are safe and easy ways to trim your kitty’s claws at home without having to worry about either of you sustaining any injuries.
In this guide, we’ll have a look at some of the best nail clippers for cats out there today, we’ll give you a few tips and tricks for how to clip her nails safely, and we’ll explain why she needs to keep her manicure lookin’ on-point. (No pun intended.)
Table of Contents
- The Best Cat Nail Clippers Are:
- 1. Four Paws Ultimate Touch Cat Claw Clipper — Best Nail Clippers for Cats
- 2. Pet Republique Cat Nail Clipper
- 3. ConairPRO Soft Grip Cat Nail Clippers
- 4. CHI Small Nail Cat Clippers
- 5. Hartz Groomer’s Best Nail Clipper for Dogs and Cats
- 6. Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers
- 7. JOFUYU Cat Nail Clippers and Trimmer
- 8. AIBORS Dog and Cat Nail Trimmer
- 9. H&H Pets Dog and Cat Nail Clippers
- The Best Cat Nail Clippers — A Buying Guide
- Why Clip A Cat’s Nails At All?
- How Do I Clip Her Claws?
- What The Vets Say About Declawing
- A Final Word
The Best Cat Nail Clippers Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Four Paws Ultimate Touch Cat Claw Clipper |  Top Pick |
| Check Current Price |
| 2. Pet Republique Cat Nail Clipper |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 3. ConairPRO Soft Grip Cat Nail Clippers, Small |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 4. CHI Small Nail Cat Clippers |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 5. Hartz Groomer's Best Nail Clipper for Dogs and Cats |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 6. Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 7. JOFUYU Cat Nail Clippers and Trimmer |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 8. AIBORS Dog and Cat Nail Trimmer |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 9. H&H Pets Dog and Cat Nail Clippers |  |
| Check Current Price |
1. Four Paws Ultimate Touch Cat Claw Clipper — Best Nail Clippers for Cats
Like we said above, it would be ideal if your cats’ claws would stay groomed perfectly with just the use of a scratching post, which for some cats, is absolutely the case.
But if your kitty’s claws grow fast, or she’s not a frequent scratcher, it may be time to invest in a good set of claw clippers. Four Paws Ultimate Touch clippers are a basic, no-frills option recommended by professional groomers, which is why we like them so much.
Designed with a comfortable, molded handle for easy use and safety, and a precision stainless steel cutting edge to get the job done fast, they’ve got all the features you need, and none that you don’t.
Specs
- Weight: 2.08 oz
- Suitable for all sized cats and fur lengths.
Pros
- Professional groomer recommended
- Sharp, stainless steel blades trim claws quickly and with precision
- It’s molded handle ensures a firm grip for safety
- Basic, no-frills design means quick and easy clipping
Cons
- Some owners said the clippers weren’t sharp enough and split their fur-baby’s nails
- Some owners said the clippers were too small
2. Pet Republique Cat Nail Clipper
Trimming your cat’s nails is easy with the Pet Republique cat nail clipper. The stainless steel blades ensure precision trimming every time, and its ergonomic shape is fashioned to stay firmly in your hand while you’re potentially wrestling your wild thing so you can trim her nails.
Suitable for grooming all kinds of small pets, and because they care about the fur babies out there, Pet Republique donates 15% of their profits to the American Animal Rescue Society. You’ll feel good about contributing to the cause whenever you trim her nails, even if she doesn’t.
Specs
- Dimensions: 3.8 x 2.5 x 0.2 in
- Materials: Stainless Steel and Plastic
Pros
- Sharp, stainless steel blades
- Blades are uniquely designed for professional-quality clipping
- These clippers are proportioned for use on all small animals who need a trim
- Ergonomically designed handles help you get a grip without slips while trimming
Cons
- Some owners said these clippers were not sharp enough to clip their kitties nails safely.
- Some reported the product wasn’t a good value for the price.
- Some owners said the handle was too small to use well.
3. ConairPRO Soft Grip Cat Nail Clippers
Clip like a pro with ConairPRO Soft Grip cat nail clippers! Featuring an ergonomic handle for no-slip snipping and a safety guard to prevent knicks and protect her skin.
Designed with a sturdy, spring action mechanism for quick cutting, the chore of cutting her nails will be over before you know it. Brought to you by the Conair family of products, you can be confident you’ve chosen quality clippers to trim her nails quickly and safely.
Specs
- Dimensions: 8.88 x 7.94 x 4.63 in
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Plastic
Pros
- Features safety guards to prevent knicks and let you cut with confidence
- Sturdy, spring action design enables these trimmers to cut with precision
- The ergonomically designed, non-slip handle lets you keep a grip, and reduces hand fatigue if you’ve got multiple cats to manicure
- Sized for cats and other small animals
Cons
- Some owners reported that they were cheaply made.
- Some owners reported the screw that holds the blade together comes loose too easily.
- Some cat owners reported they were too big for their cats
4. CHI Small Nail Cat Clippers
Just like their line for humans, CHI Small Nail Clippers were designed for easy precision. The professional, ergonomic design helps you clip her nails without worrying about slipping up and cutting too close to the quick, and it’s stainless steel blades are easy to sharpen after lots of use.
Again, a simple design with great results, these clippers are a great choice for at-home grooming.
Specs
- Dimensions: 0.25 x 3.25 x 6.5 in
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Plastic
Pros
- Stainless steel blades stay sharper longer, and are easier to sharpen when needed.
- The handle’s ergonomic grip allows better control over the clippers
- CHI company makes quality clippers, for both humans and kitties
- Trimming your kitties claws keeps her comfortable, and keeps your sofa shred-free. Trimming is recommended every 2-3 weeks
Cons
- Some owners reported these clippers were too tight.
- Some owners said they weren’t sharp enough.
- Some owners said they were flimsy and difficult to grip
5. Hartz Groomer’s Best Nail Clipper for Dogs and Cats
Hartz knows a thing or two about pet supplies, so you can confidently clip with the Hartz Groomer’s Best Nail Clipper. Just as the name says, these clippers were designed by professional groomers, for both dogs and cats.
These clippers feature a safety guard, helping you keep you confident that you won’t get too close to the quick, hurting your kitty and possibly ruining your chances of ever getting her to sit for a clipping again.
The handle is ergonomically designed to fit in your hand comfortably and features grips to help it stay there for maximum control. The blades are stainless steel, providing a nice sharp edge for quick cutting.
Specs
- Dimensions: 2.88 oz
- Material: Plastic, stainless steel
Pros
- Made by Hartz, one of the most well-known companies for pet products
- Suitable for cats and dogs
- Designed by professional groomers
- Sharp, stainless steel blade ensures precision cutting
- Ergonomically designed grip handle lets you cut with confidence
- Built-in safety guard prevents cutting too close to the quick
Cons
- Some owners reported the clippers were poorly made
- Some reported it didn’t cut their pets’ nails cleanly
6. Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers
Made in Seki City, lauded as home to some of the best swordsmiths in Japan, Necoichi Purrcision cat nail clippers are crafted with quality and care.
Featuring extra sharp edges, the blades are 30% thinner than most regular clippers. This makes it nice and easy to see the quick when trimming, so you can avoid easily and cut with precision.
With non-slip, cushioned handles, you’ll be able to cut with comfort, confidence, and ease. The less you stress, the calmer the kitty, the quicker the job!
Specs
- Dimensions: 3.78 x 2.283 x 0.394 in
- Material: Stainless Steel
Pros
- Cushioned handles provide a secure grip while trimming
- With a blade that’s 30% thinner than average clippers, you’ll have plenty of space to see and avoid cutting to the quick of her nail
- Super sharp blade makes snipping clean and easy with no splitting
- Made with quality and care by some of the best blade-crafters Japan has to offer
Cons
- Some cat parents reported the scissors finger holes were too small
- Some reported the blades open and close awkwardly because they’re not aligned well
7. JOFUYU Cat Nail Clippers and Trimmer
Clipping your cat’s nails at home saves you time, money, and a cat who’s angry because her schedule was interrupted to go to the groomers. JOFUYU clippers are great for your kitty, but if you’ve got other small furry companions in the house, they do double (or triple) duty.
These professional-grade clippers were specifically made to care for the tiny paws of small animals, including kittens, cats, puppies, rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, sugar gliders, guinea pigs, and more. These trimmers also include a mini nail file for tidying up in between clippings.
Thick, stainless steel blades hold up to lots of wear, and the blades’ half-moon shape matches the nail shape, making it easy to see where you’re clipping. The quality, ergonomic rubberized handles stay put and won’t crack or tear after lots of use.
JOFUYU is so confident that you’ll love these clippers, they offer a lifetime 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with them, return them for a full refund!
Specs
- Materials: Stainless steel, rubberized plastic
- Dimensions: 3.9 X 2.5 in
- Comes in green or blue colors
Pros
- Comes in curved or flat handle designs
- Half-moon shaped blade conforms to the nail shape and allows for more precision trimming
- Thick, stainless steel blades hold up to plenty of uses
- Rubberized, ergonomic handles stay securely in your hand for no slip-ups during trimming
Cons
- Some cat lovers said the blades weren’t sharp enough to cut cleanly
- Some owners reported the trimmers didn’t close completely
- Some owners said the trimmers were flimsy and not of good quality
8. AIBORS Dog and Cat Nail Trimmer
These safe, reliable clippers give you clipping confidence when it’s time to give your fur baby a manicure. Non-slip handles are rubber coated for padding and comfort, and it’s precision stainless steel blades are angled at the head, helping reduce the risk of cutting the quick.
The built-in spring action handle provides plenty of give for control, so the blades won’t close until you’re ready. Suitable for cats, and dogs of all sizes, these clippers come in handy for multiple-pet households. Mini nail file for extra pampering included.
Specs
- Comes in sizes for small/medium, or medium/large pets
- Blade Dimension: 5cm
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Rubber, Plastic
Pros
- Angled, stainless steel blades make trimming easier
- Rubber coated handles are no-slip and more comfortable to grip
- Spring action handle makes sure the clippers only close when you’re ready
- Includes mini nail file
Cons
- Some owners said the product they ordered and the product they received weren’t the same items
- Some owners said the blades weren’t sharp enough and split their sweet furball’s nail
9. H&H Pets Dog and Cat Nail Clippers
Easy to use and suitable for all small animals, H&H Pets Dog and Cat nail clippers are a great, low maintenance option for clipping your kitties nails at home.
The rubber-coated handles provide a comfortable, slip-free grip for stability while you trim, and the hypoallergenic stainless steel blade is sharp and durable enough for even the most stubborn nails.
With a lifetime 100% satisfaction guarantee, you’ll feel comfortable giving them a try. If you’re still on the fence, the fact that H&H also donates 15% of their profits to non-profit animal rescues may just sway your choice.
Specs
- Available in small and standard sizes
- Materials: Stainless Steel, Plastic, Rubber
Pros
- Suitable for all small animals
- Stainless steel, hypoallergenic blade
- Durable, rubber-coated handle fora slip-free grip
- 100% lifetime satisfaction guarantee
- 15% of all profits made from H&H pet products is donated to non-profit animal rescue organizations
Cons
- Some owners said the blades weren’t sharp enough to cut cleanly
- Some owners said the clippers were cheaply made
The Best Cat Nail Clippers — A Buying Guide
When shopping for the best nail clippers for cats, there are some things worth considering that will make your job of at-home groomer much easier, and her experience much less frightening:
Sharpness Of The Blade
Your kitty’s nails are pretty sharp because they’re built for piercing and shredding, right? Well, they’re usually quite delicate as well, so using a sharp cutter is important.
If your blade is dull, you’ll end up bending, splitting, or worse, breaking her nail off at the quick. This is painful, and may bleed so yeah… no one wants that. Especially not her.
Depending on the type of clippers you buy (clippers vs. trimmers), you may or may not be able to sharpen the blade after you’ve used it and it grows dull. Trimmers are pretty much scissors, usually with a half-moon shape in the blade to conform to the shape of her nail.
Quality Of The Hardware
Just as when you’re using cuticle cutters on your own nails, or a rusty pair of trimmers, if the hinges on the trimmers catch or are flimsy, you’re in for a tough time. This is doubly true when trimming your kitty’s nails.
Swiftness is the name of the game, here, and a well-oiled pair of clippers that will work smoothly facilitates that exponentially. On the other end of the spectrum, you don’t want hinges or screws that are too loose, either.
This can cause safety issues if the blades slip while you’re trimming, so be sure to give the mechanism a test-drive to ensure good quality craftsmanship and materials.
Great Grip
You’ll want to pay attention to what kind of handles your clipper has. If it’s not reinforced with a grip-friendly material like rubber, or padding of any kind, there’s a chance they’ll slip while you’re trimming, and that can lead to cuticle-quick disaster.
Good, ergonomically designed handles also make it much more comfortable for you. If your little queen decides she’s not interested in cooperating and you’re stuck with lots of extra clipping time just to get through one paw- you can hold those things all day if you have to.
It’s important to note that the better you can grip your clippers or trimmers, the more confident you’ll be when you trim her nails. If you seem to know what you’re doing, it’ll chill her out a little more too. (And you’ll be able to get a football grip on her under your arm if necessary to prevent her from darting away…)
Safety Features
Other than grip-friendly handles and quality blades, many nail clippers come with extra safety features to help you from getting too close to the quick. Now, there are plenty of people confident enough to trim their kitties’ nails without the extra insurance, which is nice.
Look for adjustable guards to control the length that the blade can reach, this helps keep you from going too short. A thin, angled blade is a safe option as well, allowing you to see where you’re clipping much easier than standard scissor cutters.
Locking blades are great for ensuring your clippers stay sharper longer (and it keeps people from getting accidentally clipped, that’s always a good thing), and if you can find a quality pair with a little storage pouch, that will keep them sharper longer as well.
Why Clip A Cat’s Nails At All?
Besides saving your furniture, sweaters, drapes, carpets, etc., trimming your kitty’s nails is super helpful to her. She doesn’t like getting her nails stuck in the hand-woven afghan from your Aunt Ruth any more than you do.
It’s uncomfortable, maybe even painful, and if you’ve ever noticed, when a cat is stuck like that, it causes not a small amount of anxiety for them. Similarly, if you have a kitty who likes to knead, whatever she’s clawing can catch her claws, too. Plus if it’s you, it hurts.
Your kitty loves the scratching post (probably), and it’s super helpful to help keep her nails groomed. She scratches to sharpen and shed the dead outer layers of the nail, but if that doesn’t work out on its own, that’s when she needs your help with a good trimming.
There are a couple of health-related reasons why keeping your cat’s nails groomed is important as well:
Ingrown Nails
When a kitty’s nails are ingrown, it’s somewhat like what happens to a human. The major difference is that a cat’s claws grow directly from the bone of her fingers, so if her ingrown nail becomes infected, it can lead to serious infection.
Cat Scratch Disease
Most people have heard of “Cat Scratch Fever”, well this is it. It’s caused by the Bartonella henselae bacteria, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected flea, or contact with blood infected by the bacteria. It’s pretty common, at some point in their lives, almost 50% of cats will carry it, and it doesn’t make them sick.
For people, particularly those with a compromised immune system, it can cause some yucky symptoms.
If your kitty scratches you, and you’ve noticed swelling, redness, and/or itching at the scratch site, look out for these additional signs:
- Headache
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Decrease in appetite
If your wild thing scratches you in between groomings (when her nails are particularly sharp), just wash it out with some soap and water. If symptoms get worse or it looks like the spot is infected, call a doctor.
How Do I Clip Her Claws?
It’s a really good question. It seems like everyone has their own methods, but is there one that’s more effective than the others? Probably depends on the cat, but if you ask a professional, there are tried-and-true methods we can all learn from.
Here are some purrfect tips from the ASPCA on how to clip your cat’s claws with little or no incident (hopefully):
Find a Chill Environment
Just you, her, a bunch of scratching behind the ears, and no distractions. Sit her on your lap, facing away from you, and *just. act. natural*. Make sure there’s nothing around to spook her or make her want to bolt.
It helps if you can get her when she’s feeling laid-back, like if she’s dozing on your lap or she’s had a gargantuan meal and needs somewhere to sleep it off.
Get Her Used to the Sound
This ingenious tip recommends taking a piece of uncooked spaghetti and snipping it with the clippers while she’s in your lap and comfy to introduce her to the sound. This way, the snipping noise won’t startle her when you’re actually going for the real thing. And treats. Reward with lots of treats.
If she’s interested in the clippers and wants to get to know them better, let her check them out, then give her a treat. If she stays put after you’ve clipped the spaghetti, give her a treat. If she stays chill after you snip a nail, give her a treat. Positive reinforcement is real.
Give Her a Paw Massage
Gently rub the paw you’re going to try to work on first between your fingers. Don’t pinch or squeeze if she pulls away, let her have control. When she gets comfortable enough, you should be able to squeeze gently but firmly enough to extend her claw.
If it seems like she’ll let you, you can try to snip just the tip then. If it works, do one at a time, but not all in the same sitting. This process is gonna take a whole lot of patience, but she’s worth it.
DON’T TRIM THE PINK PART!
Sorry for the yelling, but we’re talking about the quick of her nail, where her nerve endings and blood vessels are. Super painful if you accidentally cut it, or cut too close to it, just like if your nail breaks off to the quick.
Manicure Her Every Ten Days to Two Weeks
Just a good rule of paw. If she hates it and won’t let you do it, it might be time to call in the pros and take her to a groomer.
What The Vets Say About Declawing
Don’t. Just don’t. Declawing means surgery to amputate the end of her toes. Find another way to keep her claws out of your way, scratching posts, regular trims, there are even cute little claw caps you can put on the end of her nails, there are plenty of other options to declawing.
A Final Word
We hope we’ve provided a little illumination into the what’s, how’s, and why’s of keeping your kitty’s nails clipped and comfortable, as well as given you some good options for the best nail clippers for her.
Out of all the best cat nail clippers reviewed, we do recommend you try out Four Paws Ultimate Touch Cat Claw Clipper when it’s time to clip her claws. It’s perfectly designed to trim your kitty’s nails quickly, easily, and safely. Good luck, and happy manicuring!
