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Best Large Dog Nail Clippers – Buying Guide and How to a Trim Dog’s Nails
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We love our dogs. We would do anything in our power to help them and make their life as comfortable as possible. But sometimes, we might hurt them. Cutting your dog’s nails can be a tricky and challenging business. Vets charge $15 to $20 for such a task. And if you’re not willing to pay the fee every month or two, you need to get yourself a pair of the best large dog nail clippers.
Even when you get professional dog nail clippers, there are few tricks to ensure safety. For starters, you don’t have to cut your dog’s nails in one fell swoop. And if your dog has black nails, things are more challenging. With that in mind, our top overall pick, GoPets clippers, offers a clean cut, no matter how many times you use them. Read on to find out why we chose them.
Our Reviews
Best Overall
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1. GoPets Professional Clippers Stainless Steel
Made of high-quality, thick stainless steel, these clippers last for many years. They provide a clean cut no matter how many times you use them.
They also come with a safety sensor, which prevents overcutting the nails. With large handles, they offer great control and cutting leverage. Quick and easy to use, the clippers work for all large dogs.
Groomers use them as well. There is almost no risk in purchasing these clippers; if you’re not happy with the product, the company offers a full refund.
Why do we like it?
- Lasts a long time
- Blades stay sharp
- Features safety sensor guard
- Made of high-quality material
- Company offers a full refund
Best Premium
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2. Ceenwes Clipper Set
For a premium product, try a complete grooming set. There are 10 tools in the set, including a pet clipper, cleaning brush, comb attachments, scissors, and a nail clipper kit. All for a happy pet.
The set will keep your dog looking good. Give your puppy a professional-grade treatment at home. Buy once, and forget expensive pet grooming bills.
The set is for cutting a dog’s hair. But the clippers work as well. They feature sharp blades with titanium quality, providing smooth, efficient cutting.
Why do we like it?
- Complete grooming set
- High-quality titanium blades
- Smooth and efficient
Best Budget
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3. Millers Forge Dog Clippers
If all you need is a basic, simple set of clippers, these might do the trick. Millers Forge clippers are recognizable and affordable.
Designed for durability, there are no unnecessary additions—just simple, basic dog nail clippers. They are easy and comfortable to use, and they last long enough.
Made of stainless steel blades, they provide sharp cutting blades and precise operation. They also feature a safety lock for storage. But remember: you have to be careful; there is no quick-stop safety feature.
Their heavy construction means you need less force to use them, and they work perfectly on thick nails.
Why do we like it?
- Affordable basic clippers
- Easy to use
- Can cut thick nails
- Designed for durability
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4. Simply Pets Dog Nail Clippers
Designed by two veterinarians with more than 30 years of experience and tested on pets for years, they are designed for safety. The clipper features a protective guard that shields your dog’s nails from over-trimming.
The best part about the clippers is the ergonomic handle. Coated with rubber, the handle allows safe and free clipping with comfort. It works on both large and small dogs, and you can even use them on cats.
Why do we like it?
- Tested by veterinarians
- Made of finest quality stainless steel
- Ergonomic and, rubber-coated handle
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5. Wagglies Professional Dog Nail Clippers
These nail clippers are easy to use, quick, and safe, and might be the safest to use for your pet.
Made with veterinary-grade materials, the clippers feature an angled head and ergonomically designed rubber handle for an easy and comfortable grip. Sharp stainless steel blades cut through nails of all shapes and sizes. They also feature a sensor guard to prevent over-trimming, and the safety lock stops accidents.
The clippers are built for safety and comfort. Even if you’re not very experienced, these clippers work great. The company also gives you a guide for how to trim your dog’s nails with every purchase.
Why do we like it?
- Angled head
- Ergonomically designed rubber handle for a comfortable grip
- Easy to use, even for inexperienced users
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6. Andis Premium Pet Grooming Tools
Designed to work on large dogs, it features a safety stop that prevents overcutting and keeps your dog safe. With a spring-loaded action, the clippers reduce fatigue, and the ergonomic handle provides comfort while trimming your dog’s nails.
At first glance, these clippers look basic, but that’s because of the sturdy, heavy-duty materials and stainless steel blades. They’re heavy but easy to work with.
Why do we like it?
- Spring-loaded action reduces hand fatigue
- Sturdy, heavy-duty material
- Designed for large dogs
No products found.
7. Epica Professional Nail Clippers
Epica nail clippers are some of the most recognizable and popular clippers that help you make a precise and safe cut. Featuring semi-circular blades, the clippers allow you to see where you’re cutting.
They also feature a sharp edge that won’t dull. Clipping is effortless and less scary for your dog. You can close the locks when not in use, preventing curious kids from playing with the clippers.
The rubber-coated handle provides a secure grip. But the most important part? Epic gives you a 100% lifetime warranty.
Why do we like it?
- Helps you make a precise cut
- Locks closed when not in use
- 100% lifetime warranty
How do you clip your dog’s nails?
You bought large dog nail clippers. Now, you need to learn how to use them. Cutting your dog’s nails can be painless when done right.
- Start by picking up your dog’s paw. Gently place your thumb on the pad of a toe, and your forefinger on the top of the toe. Check for fur—make sure there is none in the way.
- Test before you clip. Put a bit of pressure on the toe, and if your dog starts struggling, move up the nail or stop.
- Clip the nail bit by bit. By the time you reach the paw skin, you’ll know where to stop. There are two techniques you can use for clipping your dog’s nails.
- For the first technique, hold the handle flat against the toe pad. Cut straight across the nail. This way, the nail will sit above the ground.
- The second method helps you get a shorter cut. For this purpose, cut at a 45-degree angle. Make sure to visualize the quick, which is the pink area within the nail where the blood vessels are.
- Offer treats to your puppy as you cut his nails. Make the experience enjoyable and comfortable.
- Call a friend or family member for help. One of you handles the puppy, and the other does the nail clipping.
Types of dog clippers
There are a few types of dog clippers. Generally speaking, scissor clippers are the best large dog nail clippers. But what are the other types?
Scissor clippers
They’re often called Millers Forge nail clippers. Why? Because that’s the company that popularized scissor clippers (they work like scissors). Large dogs have thicker nails, and scissor clippers provide the extra force.
Guillotine clippers
These work like a guillotine. You stick the end of your dog’s nails in the hole and then squeeze. The blade gently slices off the end of the nail. Guillotine clippers work better for small and medium-sized dogs.
Grinder tools
The Dremel dog nail grinder is the most popular item here. Nail grinders don’t cut the nails—they grind them down. That feature comes in handy for large dogs with thick nails, and for dogs that hate clipping.
On the flip side, some dogs can’t stand the vibrating sensation of the best dog nail grinder. We have to warn you: grinding takes a lot more time than clipping.
Tips for easier grooming
Some dogs can’t tolerate a grooming session. Trimming their nails is a painful experience. But you can make it more enjoyable and comfortable. Here are some tips to try.
- Make the process fun by letting your dog lick peanut butter off a spoon while you’re trimming his nails.
- Touch and hold your dog’s paws from a young age to get him used them being handled.
- If you’re nervous about hurting your dog’s nails, use styptic powder. The powder stops any blood in its tracks.
What to do if you cut the nails too short?
This is a common problem. Don’t panic. If there is some blood, there is a solution (cutting into the quick causes bleeding). Use styptic powder to stop the bleeding. Even if you don’t have styptic powder, don’t worry. The bleeding will stop. Comfort your dog in the meantime.
How often should you trim your dog’s nails?
The general rule of thumb is once every 1 to 2 months. But many factors play a role. If you can hear clicking against the floor, it’s time for clipping. With that in mind, here are some factors to consider:
- Activity: Does your dog walk on pavement or not? Dogs that walk on pavement will have their nails worn down.
- Age: Older dogs walk less often and need more frequent clipping.
- Environment: If your dog walks mostly on grass, he will need more frequent clipping.
- Weight of dog: Tiny dogs don’t weigh enough to wear their nails down.
- Breed –: Some breeds have faster-growing nails
Common problems and what to do
Dog anxiety
Dogs don’t love clipping. They don’t like anyone touching their paws, and it’s common for dogs to be terrified. Try to calm your dog with treats, or pet him while clipping. You can also try working with a friend. One of you holds the dog while the other clips his nails.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj0aRphE0wc
Bleeding
Cutting too much of your dog’s nails can cause bleeding. We mentioned before that styptic powder helps; pat the powder around the nail area, and the bleeding will stop.
Dark-colored nails
Owners often ask you cut a dog’s nails that are black. The quick can be difficult to see on dark nails. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so cut only 2mm at a time, and look the nail after each cut. Once you see the center of the nail turn a white or grey color, stop cutting. Sadly, there are no specific best dog nail clippers for black nails.
Squirming
If your dog is too squirmy, it might be a good idea to consider a professional groomer. You don’t want to cut the nails of a moving dog. That just increases the risk of injury.
Buying Guide
There are three things you should look for in a dog nail clipper: style, size, and safety guard.
Pick a style that’s comfortable for you to use. We’ve mentioned that scissor-style clippers are best for large dogs, and they’re also the least intimidating. Guillotine clippers need one quick motion. Grinders are OK if your pet can handle the vibration and noise.
Size is also important. Small clippers work for petite paws and nails. Bigger dogs need extra force, and only large clippers provide that. With small clippers, you won’t get a clean, quick trim on your large dog.
Last, but not least, a safety guard. If you’re not an experienced dog groomer, you need clippers with a safety guard. They feature either a quick stop or a sensor to help you avoid accidentally cutting the nails too short.
Conclusion
How can you cut your dog’s nails without hurting your dog? That’s the question many owners ask. Well, if you get good-quality nail clippers, you have half of the job done. The other half is learning how to use them. Luckily, most of the best dog nail clippers are easy to use. And we gave you a guide on how to trim your dog’s nails.
After reviewing about more than 50 nail clippers, we came up with the top 7 choices. In our opinion, GoPets is the best overall option because of their durability. You can use the same clippers over and over again. But don’t take our word for it. Check the reviews, and you might come to the same conclusion. If not, there are other options to choose from.
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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