Clipping your cat’s nails is no fun — believe us, we know from experience. It doesn’t matter whether you try to do it while your kitty is in chill mode or asleep. Us cat owners know they have radar when you’re trying to “mess” with them. And touching their pads or paws is like turning the on-switch for squirm or attack mode.
To make your nail clipping easier and cheaper, we’ve found some of the best cat nail clippers on the market. Our top picks and tips can help you keep your cat well-groomed. Read on to learn more about trimming those cat paws and the safest way to do it.
At a Glance: Our Favorite Cat Nail Clippers
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Can I Use Nail Clippers On A Cat?
This is a big question for cat owners. Clipping a cat’s nails is not the same as cutting our nails or cutting a dog’s nails. Owners can clip a cat’s nails but should not ever use human nail clippers. Any clipping tools used should be specifically made for feline use. Safety should always be the top priority. Keep in mind that the best clippers for cat nails vary by the individual animal’s needs. Always avoid cutting the quick, which is the pink part of the nail. This area holds the nerves and blood vessels.
Features To Consider
Cat nail trimmers come in a variety of designs and sizes, not to mention the level of quality. Here are some of the most important features you’ll want to consider when choosing the best cat nail clippers for you and your kitty.
Blade Sharpness
A sharp blade is a must to be able to quickly and accurately cut your squirmy cat’s nails. First, you want to look for nail clippers with high-quality stainless-steel blades. And read online customer reviews to see which ones perform the best. We’ve done just that to save you time.
Safety Features
Make sure you get claw clippers that have rounded or angled blades at the end to prevent harming your kitty with sharp points or edges. Some clippers even come with a safety stop guard to help avoid over-clipping. Or you can look for clippers with a built-in light to illuminate the nails and the quick for safer trimming.
Grip Size & Comfort
A comfortable, easy-to-use handle is also key. Many have non-slip ergonomic designs to help you easily maneuver the clippers as you go. You also want to get clippers with a handle size that fits your fingers well. Some scissor-like clippers may be too small if you have large fingers.
Best Cat Nail Clippers Reviews
We’ve researched many popular and highly-rated cat clippers on the market and have narrowed down your options to give you our top picks. We base these on each clipper’s performance and quality as the most important factors. But we also took into account added features you may be looking for, as well as pricing.
Purrcision
- Extremely sharp blades
- Thin blades make it easier to see the quick
- Angled blades for safety
- Made of high-quality stainless steel
- Cushioned, non-slip handle
- Designed for small pets
- Cute design
- Company supports cat shelters
The Necoichi Purrcision claw clippers are the cat’s meow for a quick and easy nail trimming experience. Although they’re a bit on the pricey side, many pet parents say these clippers are worth every penny. These clippers cut quickly and accurately with a razor-sharp stainless-steel blade and don’t leave rough or torn edges as duller blades can do.
They also have thinner blades than most standard clippers, making it much easier to spot the quick on small kitty nails. The handle is comfortable and easy to maneuver to get the job done. These clippers are expertly crafted in Seki City, home to some of Japan’s most esteemed swordsmiths for over 800 years. So the manufacturers know their blades.
We love that the company makes charitable contributions to support cat welfare nonprofit organizations. All the other clippers we review here are made in China, in case that makes a difference to you.
Shiny Pet
- Affordable price
- Sharp blades
- Angled blades for safety
- Made of high-quality stainless steel
- No-slip rubberized coating
- Designed for small pets
- Comes with an instructional ebook
- Lifetime money-back guarantee
The Shiny Pet nail clippers are extremely popular with pet parents for several reasons — they’re high-quality, easy to use, and a good value if you don’t want to fork out several extra bucks for the Necoichi Purrcision clippers. Made of angled stainless steel blades that are nearly as sharp as the Necoichi, the Shiny Pet claw scissors have a rubberized coating on both the handle and blades for no-slip clipping.
The Shiny Pet’s blade isn’t quite as thin as the Necoichi, and some users say the blade isn’t sharp enough. But these clippers come with a lifetime guarantee and a handy instructional ebook.
We love the ergonomically designed handle. It is a bit more comfortable than the Necoichi. We also like the comfortable finger rests. Rust-resistant stainless-steel blades stay sharp and clean.
Pawsibility
- Bright LED light illuminates the quick
- Sharp blades
- Angled blades for safety
- Made of high-quality stainless steel
- Large tension spring handle
- Nail catcher keeps mess contained
- Built-in nail file
If you struggle to see your cat’s nails (and the quick) while trimming, these Pawsibility clippers for cats and dogs could be ideal. These trimmers let you see what you’re doing for a safer clipping job with a bright built-in LED light. The sharp blades are made of angled stainless steel. But unfortunately, the blade is a bit wider than standard cat nail clippers, but with the lighting, you should be able to see the quick easily.
The Pawsibility clippers are also a great option if you have larger hands or don’t like the scissor design of other cat claw clippers because they have a tension spring handle construction. They also have handy features like a nail storage box to collect your nail clippings as you go and a built-in, retractable nail file if you need to polish up any rough edges.
We love that the Pawsibility clippers don’t require batteries. They come with a USB charger to keep the lights on. They come in three colors: white, black, and aqua. And you even get a free bandana for your kitty. While these clippers are durable enough to handle cat claws with ease, they may not hold up for large dogs with very thick nails.
Gonicc
- Safety stop guard helps prevent overcutting
- Angled blades for safety
- Stainless steel blades
- Easy-to-use tension-spring handle
- Includes nail file that fits in the handle
- Child-safety lock
The Gonicc nail clippers for cats and dogs are another extremely popular pick among pet parents. These clippers stand out for their safety stop guard that only lets you trim a short piece at a time — it’s really helpful if you’re a beginner, don’t have steady hands, or tend to overcut.
Some pet parents prefer the plier-designed handle of the Gonicc clippers. The handle is also comfortable and has a non-slip coating. The blade is made from high-quality stainless steel and angled for safety. Unfortunately, it’s not as sharp as the other clippers we review here. And some customers found them too bulky to use easily on small cats.
We love the safety features of these clippers. They even have a child-safety lock to prevent accidents with curious little hands. Sometimes even skilled owners can cut themselves, so the Gonicc is a great pick for safety.
Pet Republique
- Good value
- Stainless steel blades
- Angled blades for safety
- Cushioned, non-slip handle
- Designed for small pets
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- 4-year warranty
- Company supports cat shelters
These Pet Republique clippers are a fantastic value if you’re on a tight budget. They’re similar to the Necoichi Purrcision and Shiny Pet clippers we review above at half the price. The caveat, however, is that some say the blades aren’t as sharp as more expensive clippers. The blades are also thicker than the Necoichi and Shiny Pet clippers.
Still, many pet parents say they’re easy to use, even on kittens. The no-slip handle also has a bit more finger room than the Necoichi and Shiny Pet clippers. Additionally, these clippers are designed for small animals, so they are the perfect size for small kitty nails, even kittens.
We love that the company donates 15% of its profits to cat rescue organizations and that they offer a four-year warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Clipping Tips
Keeping your kitty’s nails trimmed helps keep him safe, protects your furniture, and helps prevent injury. If your cat is destructive, you will likely trim his nails more often to prevent damage. We recommend starting off very slowly in a quiet location in your home. It can also take several tries to find the most comfortable position for you and your cat — sitting on your lap, lying on your chest, on a table, etc.
- Stay calm so you set a relaxed scene for your feline friend.
- If your kitty is very squirmy, you can try to wrap him in a towel.
- Clip off small bits at a time to avoid cutting the quick (the pink stripe at the nail base). The quick holds blood vessels and nerves, so cutting the quick can cause pain and bleeding.
- Cut each claw at a 45-degree angle.
- You can try giving your kitty a treat in between claws.
- If your cat gets agitated, stop and resume clipping the next day.
- Don’t forget to trim the dewclaws. They sit above the other claws on the front paws.
Personal Experience Clipping Cat Nails
“I have owned cats for over 35 years. Nail clipping has always been tricky, and each cat tolerates it to a different degree. My cats can get nippy when clipping their nails, so I often wrap them in a towel or use a muzzle. I also make sure to wear long sleeves. Often I need help from another person to keep my kitties from getting too squirmy. We only ever cut a couple of nails at a time, I try to do one foot in a sitting if I can. I use a cat nail clipper similar to the Gonicc. This style works well for me and has a long enough handle, so I am not super close to those sharp claws. It is also very quiet and does not startle or trigger my cats to react wildly. I recommend taking it very slow when clipping a cat’s nails for the first time. My cats have all been scared at first but have gotten better over time.”
–Danielle DeGroot, LYC Writer and longtime cat parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions we get from our readers about trimming cat claws. If you don’t see your question here, ask us in our comment section below.
Can I use nail grinders on my cat?
Cats are notoriously skittish, so the sound and motion of an electronic nail grinder likely isn’t your best option to trim your kitty’s nails. And while nail grinders are great for dogs, cats’ nails aren’t nearly as thick, so grinders aren’t as necessary. Still, if you want to go with a grinder, we recommend the Casufy Nail Grinder for dogs and cats. It has a quieter motor than many other grinders.
How often should I trim my cat’s nails?
Whenever your cat’s claws have a sharp point on them, it’s time for a trim. Experts recommend trimming your cat’s nails every 10 to 14 days. However, don’t try to clip them all at once unless you have a very patient feline friend.
What do I do if I cut the quick?
If you accidentally cut the quick (the pink part) and your cat’s nail begins to bleed, you can stop the bleeding with styptic powder or a styptic stick. If you don’t have any on hand, cornstarch can help as well. But if you plan on regularly trimming your kitty’s nails, it’s a good idea to purchase styptic powder for future needs.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your cat’s nails trimmed regularly is so important to save you and your furniture from kitty claw damage. It’s important for your cat’s health as well. Cat claws can sometimes grow into their paw pads when they grow too long. Long claws are also at a higher risk for injuries to your cat if they get stuck in something.
Making the clipping process as seamless as possible saves a lot of frazzled nerves on both sides. We think the Necoichi Purrcision nail clippers are the overall best tool to achieve quick success. Although a bit pricier than similar trimmers, these clippers have the sharpest blade we’ve seen. But we also recommend the other clippers we review here if you’re looking for different features.
