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7 Best Dog Nail Clippers For Thick Nails – 2020 Review
How We Found the Best Dog Nail Clippers For Thick Nails
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Can I cut my dog’s nails too short? Can I cut the nails and make them bleed? These are questions many owners ask. Dog’s nails should be long enough to just about reach the ground. But they should not make a clicking sound as your dog walks. Some dogs, large breeds especially, have thick nails. And that makes cutting nails harder. But no worries. Nothing is too hard for the best dog nail clippers for thick nails.
Start by purchasing professional dog nail clippers. You can also read on to check our choices. And read some tips and guides on how to cut your dog’s nails. And by the end of the article, you’ll understand why our top overall pick is Boshel’s dog nail clippers.
Our Reviews
Best Overall
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1. Boshel Dog Nail Clippers
After reviewing many dog nail clippers, we rated Boshel as the top one. What makes them so unique and special?
Well, for starters, they do a great job. The blades stay sharp for years and can cut through the toughest nails. They don’t split the nail, and they have a great price tag. Veterinarians and users recommend them. With almost 6,000 reviews, there are many satisfied customers. You can be the next one.
They feature 3.5mm stainless steel blades. But what sets them apart is the nail file. You can find the file in the scissors, and use it to smooth out your dog’s nails.
The handle is ergonomic and non-slip. Last, but not least, you get a safety stop to prevent overcutting.
Why do we like it?
- Blades last for years
- Nail file included and stored in the handle
- Recommended by veterinarians
- Affordable price
Best Premium
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2. Zerhunt Dog Nail Clippers and Pet Nail Grinder
You get a complete set here. You can use clippers, but if your dog doesn’t like them, you can try grinding your dog’s nails. Be careful, though, because some dogs don’t like the vibration and noise of even the best dog nail grinder.
Speaking of the clippers, they feature three different sizes. You choose the one that’s suitable for your pet. They adjust to the different characteristics of your pet’s nails. They’re great for medium-size dogs, but they work for large ones as well.
The ergonomic handle is different than most nail clippers. With an almost circular design, it fits perfectly in your hand.
Why do we like it?
- Three different sizes of trimmer
- Complete grooming set
- Unique handle
Best Budget
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3. Millers Forge Nail Clippers
Millers Forge clippers are the epitome of basic, yet great nail clippers. Their biggest strength is their durability. These clippers will last for years, and they’ll cut the same way they did the first time you used them.
They feature a comfortable, red plastic grip and a spring-loaded cutting mechanism. The mechanism gives you more control over the cutting action. You can move the built-in guard into a position to prevent overcutting.
They work on all sizes and breeds (extremely large breeds might need something sturdier). Generally speaking, they’re one of the best dog nail clippers for thick nails.
Why do we like it?
- Durable and long-lasting
- Basic, yet efficient
- Gives you great control over the cutting action
- Inexpensive
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4. Bissell Cat and Dog Nail Clippers
These clippers might not be the most efficient, but they do help to save pets. Bissell is a company that donates money to the pet foundation for every sale. Buying from Bissell can help pets around the world.
The clippers are no slouch. They come with a built-in safety guard and an ergonomic handle, and feel secure in your hand.
Stainless steel blades clip nails clean and efficient. It works for large dogs, but also for cats. The product set includes detailed instructions on how to clip nails.
Why do we like it?
- Buying from Bissell saves pets
- Nail file stored in the handle
- Product contains detailed instructions on how to clip nails
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5. Epica Professional Nail Clippers
These clippers work for medium and large dog breeds. The spacing between the blades makes it easy for you to clip your dog’s nails. When you don’t use them, you can put on a safety lock to ensure you don’t cut yourself when taking them out of the drawer.
Trimming is easy and safe with Epica Professional nail clippers. The sharp blades work faster and with less effort. They provide a clean cut without ragged edges.
Last, but not least, they’re easy to use. You don’t need excessive hand strength. The handles feature a unique shape that fits right onto your fingers. They’re also coated with anti-slip rubber; just grasp and apply normal pressure.
Why do we like it?
- Secure safety lock
- Handle designed to fit the fingers
- Spacing between blades makes them easy to use
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6. Furminator Nail Clippers
Furminator is a company mostly known for its de-shedding tools. Their undercoat rake is one of the best on the market for brushing. The company also provides products for complete grooming treatment.
Nail care is an important area of pet care. Furminator provides a unique and proprietary nail care solution. The clippers are safe and easy to use, featuring an adjustable guide that makes trimming efficient and painless. The clippers might reduce sore paws, sore legs, and hips.
With sharp, stainless steel cutting edges, they provide clean and even cut. The clippers don’t crush the nail. And, of course, you get an ergonomic handle for complete control over the process.
Why do we like it?
- Anti-microbial plastic handle
- Provides a clean and even cut without crushing the nail
- Adjustable guide makes nail trimming efficient
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7. Hertzko Professional Dog and Cat Nail Clipper and Nail File
Hertzko gives you a clipper and a nail file. Unlike other brands, the file comes separately—it is not stored in the handle.
The company provides professional-grade clippers. They make trimming easy and safe and, most importantly, they reduce the stress of the process.
The blade features a high-grade stainless steel that provides a sharp, precise cutting edge. The anti-slip handle, which is designed to prevent hand strain, provides a comfortable grip that fits easily in your hand.
After you finish with the trimming, give your pet a salon-quality finish and use the nail file to smooth out any rough patches.
Why do we like it?
- Semi-circular indentation shows where you are cutting the nails
- Made of high-grade stainless steel
- Nail file included in the package
Why do you have to trim your dog’s nails?
You might be thinking, “I don’t have to trim my dog’s nails. I take him on walks all the time, and he wears his nails down.” That might be true in many cases. But if your dog doesn’t walk on the pavement, he won’t wear his nails down.
Leaving the nails too long can be risky. And there could be problems as well. For starters, nails that are too long cause uneven walking. They can push your dog’s toes up and make it uncomfortable for him to walk. Nails that are too long can also cause nail splitting, which is a painful, and potentially infectious, condition.
There are orthopedic consequences of long nails. Pain is the first one. Extremely overgrown nails result in painful feet. Think about it this way. Can you walk with a rock in your shoe? Of course, you can, but it won’t be pleasant. The same goes for your dog.
Dogs don’t have the luxury of shoes to avoid rocks. They can’t avoid the cause of their pain, so what they do is compensate by walking in an unbalanced way.
Let’s talk about the rock in the shoe again. Imagine there is no way of removing it. And it sticks in your shoe. You walk with it. You have to keep it for every walk, jog, run, or hike. The imbalance will lead to injury.
How do you clip your dog’s nails?
Trimming your dog’s nails can be a simple process—or a complicated one. It depends on how comfortable you are. And how comfortable you make your dog. Of course, using the best dog nail clippers for thick nails plays a role. Here is a quick guide for how to use a dog nail clipper.
- Get a large trimmer, and keep it close to you
- Place your dog’s paw in your hand. Cheer and pet your dog at the same time.
- Place the cutting edge of the clipper 2mm back from where you see pink.
- Cut the claw in a decisive motion.
- Look at the cut surface. Is it still white? If it is, you can cut again, moving 1mm closer toward the paw.
Be careful with dark-colored nails. There are no best dog nail clippers for black nails. Look at the nail underneath and sideways, try to locate where the quick ends, and then cut the nail.
How often do you need to trim your dog’s nails?
There is no definite answer to this question. There are many factors in play. For starters, environment, activity, weight, breed, and more.
Generally speaking, you should trim your dog’s nails every 3 to 5 weeks if the quicks haven’t grown too long. If the quicks are grown out, you can trim them, or file them with a Zerhunt dog nail grinder.
Dog Clipping Nails Myths
Myth 1: Hitting the quick can cause the dog to bleed to death
Yes, hitting the quick can cause bleeding. But you shouldn’t panic. Your dog might be in mild pain, but in most cases, the bleeding is nothing more than a trickle. What should you do instead of panicking? Use a styptic powder on the spot to stop the bleeding.
Myth 2: I don’t need to clip my dog’s nails
Some owners say their dogs wear their nails down naturally, so they don’t need to clip them. Dogs need regular trimming unless they walk daily on the pavement. But walking constantly on hard surfaces can cause other problems, including hip and joint pain.
Myth 3: Cutting nails is not important
We can understand why some people say this. The nails might not be important to you, but the nails are quite important to your dog. Our dogs use their nails and claws to keep their balance while walking. We talked before about what can happen if you don’t cut your dog’s nails. Read it again as a reminder.
Types of nail clippers
There are two types of nail clippers: guillotine and scissor. Some people also use the best dog nail grinder (but that’s not a nail clipper).
Guillotine clippers use a single blade. The blade comes down and slices off the end of the dog’s nail. They work for small dogs, but they’re not powerful enough to cut thick nails.
That’s why you should use scissor-style nail clippers for thick nails. They consist of two blades that come together to cut the nail, the same as a scissor. They generate more force and can cut thick nails.
You might find some variations of best dog nail clippers with a sensor. The sensor should identify the quick before you hit it. But they don’t work as well as marketed.
How to stop the bleeding if you hit the quick
We talked before about using styptic powder to stop bleeding. But there is another home remedy you can try.
Put cornstarch in a bowl or in a cup. Dip your dog’s paw into the bowl. The bleeding should stop after a while. Afterward, hold a towel against the nail tip for a minute.
Bonus Tips
We want to make sure clipping is as painless as possible for your dog. Here are some tips to ensure their greatest comfort.
- Soak your dog’s paws in warm, soapy water before clipping. This will soften their nails and reduce the chance of splitting. The “pawdicure” also makes the quick more visible.
- Change your clippers. They don’t last forever. When you notice reduced efficiency, change the scissors or blades.
- Call for a friend or family member to help. Let them rub your dog’s belly, give them treats, and generally help to stabilize your dog.
Conclusion
Nail clipping and nail trimming is an underrated process of pet grooming. A lot of owners think they don’t need to take care of their pet’s nails—they walk them and expect the nails to wear down. Don’t be such an owner.
After all, it is not a huge investment. Even our best pick, Boshel Dog Nail Clippers, feel like a budget buy. Nail clippers are not expensive. They help you provide a healthy life for your pooch. And you do want that, right?
Aleksandar
My name is Aleksandar, and I am a storyteller by professional. I’ve got a BA in journalism in 2009. I write ever since. Now, I am here to help you find the best grooming products for your furry friend.
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