The right dog nail clippers can make all the difference. If trimming your dog’s nails at home feels stressful, it’s often the tool — not you — that’s the problem.

To set yourself up for success, it helps to understand the differences between clipper types — and know what to look for before making your choice, and that’s what we have tried to do for you in the dog nail clippers guide below.

Types of Dog Nail Clippers

There are three main types of dog nail trimmers:

• Pliers-Style Clippers – sturdy, spring-loaded, best for most medium and large dogs
• Guillotine Clippers – a squeeze-style blade, great for small to medium dogs
• Scissor-Style Clippers – simple, light, ideal for small dogs and puppies

Dog Nail Clippers Best Brands

If you’re already at the point where you know which type of clippers you want, here is our current choice of the very best dog nail clipper brands:

• The Millers Forge brand pliers-style clippers are high quality clippers often used by professionals, but equally suited for home use. Sturdy, reliable, and easy to work with, these are long-lasting clippers that will stay sharp for years.
• iToLeeve offers a very handy version of pliers-style clippers featuring an LED light for extra visibility and, on lighter dog nails, the possibility of seeing the quick. A game changer for many!
• The best budget offer comes from Gonicc with another set of well constructed pliers-style clippers that are among the most popular dog nail clippers on the market.
• For those of you who prefer guillotine style clippers, Resco provides guillotine clippers that are superbly sharp and their construction allows you to cut through your dog’s nails without using too much force. They also have the advantage of changeable blades.
• However, pliers and guillotine clippers are often too big for the very smallest dogs. Dog nail scissors are the recommendable choice for puppies and toy dog breeds. With Safari’s Deluxe
  dog nail scissors you can get to grips with even the tiniest of nails.

Whichever type of clippers you decide to use, make sure to get a good quality dog nail clipper of a reputable brand. The dog nail clippers guide below gives you an overview the dog nail clippers we recommend.

Best Dog Nail Clippers by Type

Pliers-Style Clippers

Sturdy, versatile, and beginner-friendly — pliers-style clippers are a popular choice for most dog sizes. They’re easy to handle and strong enough for even thick nails.

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Guillotine Clippers

Guillotine clippers offer clean, controlled cuts with a simple squeeze motion. Ideal for those who prefer a more compact design and are trimming smaller to medium nails.

Dog Nail Scissors

Scissors-style clippers are perfect for puppies and toy breeds. Lightweight and gentle, they allow for better control on delicate, tiny nails.

FAQs

What clippers are safest?
For most medium/large dogs, pliers-style give clean cuts with less squeeze. For toy breeds, scissors are easiest. If you’re worried about the quick, use a grinder.

Do I need a safety guard?
Useful for beginners, but it can block your view. It’s fine to move the guard aside once you’re confident.

How often should I trim?
Every 2–4 weeks. If nails click on the floor, they’re too long.

Can I use human clippers?
No—risk of crushing/splitting. Use tools designed for dog nails.

My dog hates clipping—what now?
Try one nail a day, high-value treats, and consider switching to a grinder; many dogs tolerate the gradual feel better.

Final Tips

• Choose the right clipper type for your dog’s size
• Consider an LED light clipper if you’re nervous about cutting the quick
• Don’t go cheap — good clippers stay sharp and save stress

Need help trimming? Check out our full guides on How to Trim Dog Nails, Finding the Quick, and Dog Training for Nail Trimming.

Go to Choosing a Dog Nail Trimmer