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Cat owners know how sharp their cat’s claws can be. That can be a detriment to you, your furniture, and sometimes your cat.
Cats naturally like to claw things and aren’t always discerning what they use. The couch or your favorite chair is just as likely as their scratch post. One of my cats likes to use the area rug in the kitchen.
Why Should You Clip Your Cat’s Nails?
It keeps their claws healthy by helping them shed the old outer layer that develops on their claws and keeps the claws from growing too long and causing problems. They also leave their scent behind to show ownership of whatever they sharpen their claws on. It helps them stretch and exercise as well, especially if they have a rug they can claw.
This destructive behavior can sometimes be trained out of your cat. Cats are independent and aren’t easy to train. Some won’t even respond to your efforts, leaving you with little choice but to clip their nails.
It used to be that veterinarians would suggest declawing a cat to keep them from scratching things. However, in the UK and most of Europe it is banned and in the US a few cities, including Denver and San Francisco have banned it as well. A bill to ban the practice statewide is currently making its way through California’s legislature. It is an invasive kind of surgery and it can cause behavioral and health problems.
A safer, less invasive way to keep your cats from tearing up furniture and destroying your house is to clip their nails. You may also want to consider the little plastic claw covers.
After clipping your cat’s claws you’ll find they still have that urge to claw at the furniture or rug. The difference is that with a dull end to their nails they won’t be able to tear anything up.
Quick Reference
Best Quality Clippers: Epica Professional Nail Clipper
Best Professional Grade Nail Clippers: Joyufu Pet Nail Clippers
Best Alternative to Clippers: INVENHO Pet Nail Grinder
How to Clip your Cat’s Claws
You should clip your cat’s claws on a regular basis. Every few weeks is a good start. You may find that your cat needs their nails clipped more often or less. It depends on your cat and the way their claws grow.
If your cat goes outdoors at all, you shouldn’t need to clip their nails. They’ve more than likely found a good rough tree trunk or other such surface to claw and take care of their nails.
If you have an older cat that isn’t all that active, they may need their nails clipped more often because their claws can get to where the old shell won’t slough off. Their claws can get ingrown and cause problems if left to grow. This pertains to kitties that have any health issues that keep them from properly taking care of their claws on their own.
When you go to clip your cat’s claws, you should be sure she is comfortable and relaxed. You may have to start out just touching her paws, using a gentle squeeze to the toes to get the claws to extend. Once your cat is comfortable with you messing with her paws, you will be able to clip her nails with ease.
Steps to take:
- Hold her in your lap or have a family member or friend hold her.
- Take one of her paws and gently press to make the claw extend.
- Use your clippers to cut the end of her nail off. A quarter inch or 6.35mm is a good measurement.
If your cat is a struggler, you may have to do one or two claws at intervals. Clip a claw or two and let her go for a while. Try again when you can soothe her and hold her. If your cat still struggles or just won’t relax, try wrapping her like a burrito into a lightweight blanket or towel. Be sure it’s not so tight you are squashing her.
Below, I review a few of the clippers and a couple of alternatives that I found work well for any cat.
Best Quality Nail Clippers: Epica Professional Pet Nail Clipper
These clippers are made for easy, precise cutting, with blades made from stainless steel. They will stay sharp for a long time. The durable blades won’t bend, scratch, or rust.
They are easy to use, it takes a gentle squeeze to clip your cat’s nails. You can be sure these cutters will make this task easy and stress free for you and your pet with their semi-circular blade. With these clippers there is less chance of leaving a ragged nail, which means no filing of the nail, making this task an easier one.
This product is made to handle small cat claws as well as dogs with larger claws. It comes in two sizes, small/medium or medium/large. The blade spacing is important for precise, safe cuts.
These clippers also come with a stop. This ensures only a certain amount of claw can be cut to help you keep your pet safe.
The clippers lock closed to keep you and any curious little ones safe. This feature also keeps the blades safe from damage as well.
The handles are rubber coated for a comfortable and secure grip. You don’t need much strength to use them, so you won’t find yourself with aching fingers or hands.
These clippers are advertised as used for dogs but should be fine for use with your cat. Be sure to order the smaller size.
This item comes with a 100% lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Sharp blades
- Comfortable handles
- Has a stop so you can be sure you won’t harm your pet
Cons:
- Advertised as dog clippers.
- Several reviews on Amazon stated what they got weren’t the real Epica brand
Best Cat Specific Nail Clippers: Pet Republique Cat Nail Clippers
These are a scissor style cutter. These clippers are designed for small breeds, cats, rabbits, small dogs, chinchillas, guinea pigs, and others.
As with the other cutters it is made from stainless steel, which will ensure the blades stay sharp. It also has non-slip handles with built in spring making them easy to use.
These cutters have a 90-day money back guarantee and a four-year warranty.
Pet Republique will donate 15% of the profits from your purchase to the American Animal Rescue Society. This is where abandoned dogs and cats have a home and are loved.
Pros:
- Sharp blades
- Comfortable handles
- Ninety-day guarantee
- Four-year warranty
- The seller Pet Republique donates 15% of each purchase to the American Animal Rescue Society
- Discount codes available when buying multiple items
Cons:
- Blades may be too thick for cutting cat nails
- Can split nail rather than cut clean
- The locking mechanism can pinch and/or fall off
Best Eco-Friendly Nail Clippers: Shiny Pet nail clippers
Another pair of scissor type set of cutters. These are also made from stainless steel, with razor sharp blades. The handles are made from 100% recycled plastic, won’t harm the environment, and are ergonomic. They are also non-slip.
These cutters are designed specifically for small animals such as your cat. It comes with an instructional E-book so that you know exactly how to clip your pet’s nails.
Pros:
- Eco-Friendly
- For Small Pets
- Instructional E-book
- Safe and Easy to Use
- 100% Lifetime Guarantee
Cons:
- Complaints of dull blades
- Blades too large for cats
- Can be tight to open and close
Best Professional Grade Nail Clippers: Joyufu Pet Nail Clippers
This last scissor style cutter is recommended by veterinarians, animal trainers, pet groomers, and the customers who bought them. These are specifically made for smaller animals.
The thick stainless-steel blades are strong and stay sharp for years. The semi-circular design of these cutters matches the curve of your pet’s nail so you can see how much of the claw you are cutting.
Like the other clippers, these have comfortable, non-slip rubberized handles. This ensures they will stay gripped in your hand to prevent any accidents.
These also have a 100% lifetime guarantee.
Pros:
- For Small Pets
- Safe and Easy to Use
- 100% Lifetime Guarantee
Cons:
- Complaints of dull blades on some cutters
- Too small for some hands
Alternatives
I added onto the list this a grinder type nail file for those that don’t feel comfortable with cutting their cat’s nails. The one drawback to these is even though they are supposed to be quiet, they still make some noise. As with cat fur clippers you need a product that is very quiet, otherwise your cat will be scared. You will have to introduce these to your cat and let her get used to the sound before trying it on her claws. There is a chance that your cat just won’t take to the grinder. There is another option I added below the grinders that may fit the bill. Keep reading.
INVENHO Pet Nail Grinder
This grinder has a diamond bit sander. This is safer and you don’t have to replace the little sanders. Using this reduces the risk of clipping your cat’s claws too short.
The Invenho grinder is equipped with three ports and two speeds. This trimmer can be applied to small, medium, and large pets. By selecting the right port size, you can fit any of your pets. The speed selected depends on your pet’s size and their nail hardness.
The grinder is designed with a precision motor and low vibration. This should help your cat feel more at ease with this machine. It is also rechargeable and includes a USB cord.
Pros:
- Safer than cutters
- Can be used for small, medium, and large animals. Great for a multi-pet home
- Rechargeable
- Quiet
Cons:
- Not made to grind long nails. Long nails need to be clipped first
- Pet might be sensitive to the sound and not like the grinder
- More expensive than cutters
Kitty Caps
For those that don’t want to clip or grind their cat’s claws, there are these nail caps that slip over their claws with a touch of pet safe adhesive.
These help to prevent snags and scratches to your furniture by covering up those sharp claws. They’re safe, easy to apply and come in many great colors. These can remain in place for a long while. Healthy cats shed their claw anywhere from four to eight weeks. Any caps left on your cat’s claws after 8 weeks should be removed so that your kitty’s claws don’t grow too long inside the cap.
As a precaution don’t let your cat lick until the glue dries.
These caps come in several sizes. X-small for cats under 5lbs, Small for cats 6 to 8lbs, Medium for cats 9 to 13lbs, and Large for cats over 13lbs.
Pros:
- Safe alternative to declawing
- Stops snags and scratches to furniture and yourself.
- These will shed as your cat’s claws grow. Usually 4 to 8 weeks
- Easy to apply
- Many colors
Cons:
- Your cat might not like them and chew them off
- May need to clip over long claws before applying
- Not meant to stop clawing behavior
We’ve gone through some options for cat nail clippers. These aren’t the only ones, but they are the best ones and best reviewed products. I also added in a couple of options for you as alternatives to clipping your cat’s nails. Hopefully, this article will help you choose the best option and the best product for you and your cat.
Cat Clipper Fast Facts
Epica Professional Pet Nail Clipper
Stainless steel construction
Sharp Blades
Ergonomic handles
Safe for you and your pet
$
Pet Republique Cat Nail Clippers
Stainless steel construction
Sharp Blades
Ergonomic handles
Safe for you and your pet
$
Shiny Pet nail clippers
Stainless steel construction
Sharp Blades
Ergonomic handles
Safe for you and your pet
$
Joyufu Pet Nail Clippers
Stainless steel construction
Sharp Blades
Ergonomic handles
Safe for you and your pet
$
INVENHO Pet Nail Grinder
Rechargeable
Quiet
Safe
$$
Kitty Caps
Fun
Colorful
Alternative to clipping or grinding
Safe
$
Final Thoughts
These clippers and their alternatives can make cutting your cat’s nails easy and saves the cost of going to a groomer or veterinarian to have them done. If you find that you want to clip kitty’s claws be sure you are ready, your cat is ready, and you have the tool that will work best for you. Each of us is as different as our cats.
The biggest complaints I found on any of these was that people couldn’t use them, or the blade was dull, and they couldn’t cut their cat’s nails. Another drawback to some of these is they are listed as dog clippers and make no mention of cats. Most can clip a cat’s claws easily. If there is a smaller pair of clippers as a choice I’d go with the smaller.
I hope this article has made it easier for you to choose the best clippers to trim your cat’s nails.
What cat nail clippers do you use? Leave you comments below I’d love to know!