Types of Dog Nail Clippers
There are many types of dog nail clippers, so it is important to match the type with your pet's needs and size. The most common types of dog nail clippers are guillotine-style, scissor-style, catclaw cutter, or plier-style.
A great way to find out which type would work best for your pet is by consulting a veterinarian or the store where you purchase supplies for your pet.
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1. Guillotine Clippers
Guillotine clippers are self-explanatory. They work like a classic guillotine; only they are not vertical. They usually work horizontally, yet the principle is the same. They feature a small hole in the middle. Stick the pet's nail in there and squeeze the handles. As you squeeze, a blade will come out from your direction and target the opposite end. The nail will be cut through and end up below the guillotine.
According to most experts, guillotine pet nail clippers are more appropriate for small and medium dogs. While possible to find, large guillotine clippers are not so common in commerce anyway.
2. Scissor Clippers
Scissor clippers work just like standard scissors. They are available in all kinds of sizes, yet their operating principles are quite similar. However, unlike guillotine clippers, they are more suitable for large dogs. It is easy to understand why – you do not push a small blade to cut through, but you use your force to get the scissors to work. They compile way more force, and they can easily cut through the thick nails of big dogs.
You can find them in small sizes for small and medium dogs as well though.
3. Grinding Tools
At first glance, grinding tools may not seem as efficient as actual clippers. However, they do have their pluses and minuses. When it comes to positive parts, they are great for really big dogs. If their nails are too thick, scissors may sometimes be too weak to cut through. On the other hand, some dogs are simply scared of the little shock they get when you clip their nails. It is not painful, but that tick makes them uncomfortable.
Grinding does have a minus though – the grinding sensation might transmit throughout the dog's body. It feels like going to the dentist and getting the grinding tool in your mouth – you feel it everywhere. From this point of view, grinding tools may require some training to get the dog comfortable with it.
Patience is also a must, as grinding takes way more time than clipping.
Common Considerations Regarding Dog Nail Clippers
Pet nail clippers might seem identical, but quality standards will affect their use in the long run. It is imperative to invest in a quality unit that will keep you going for years, without risking harming your furry friend.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is about the comfort associated with this experience. For instance, there is one thing that most manufacturers do not mention when you shop online – the handle length. It is often overlooked, yet it is extremely important. Some brands mention the overall clipper size, so you can still get a clue about what to expect.
A longer handle will give you more leverage. Cutting nails gets much easier as you can stroke them comfortably. It does not mean that you should get clippers the size of those gardening scissors though. Just make sure their size makes it comfortable for you.
The easier it is for you to hold the clippers, the more strength you have in holding your dog for this operation.
Comfort
Comfort can also go in a few different directions. The best pet nail clippers on the market come with rubberized handles. They are covered in rubber because it is more comfortable than a thin piece of metal. At the same time, rubber handles have a non-slip surface. You do not have to squeeze the handles too tightly to prevent slipping and injuring your friend.
Comfort is directly proportional to the size, too. Some large units might be hard to operate with one hand only, so you might need another family member to help to hold the dog.
Blade
Blades come in the same sizes and standards. Most of them are made of stainless steel, with different levels of reinforcement or sharpness. However, stainless steel is quite diversified. Certain types of steel are better than others. They will last longer, but they will also sharpen in no time or maintain their razor sharpness for ages.
The blade quality is more important for the actual pet and not necessarily for you. If the blade gets dull too often, you will need constant replacements. You will have to pay attention to the pet's reactions and see if it experiences any pain – nobody wants to hurt their pet.
Furthermore, trying to clip with a dull blade will not cut the nail, but crush it eventually – another painful episode for your dog.
The more such episodes occur (even one can be a problem), the harder it will be to get your dog calm before clipping nails.
Blade quality affects your finances as well. It is more cost-efficient to buy a quality pet nail clipper with a quality blade that would last for ages, rather than spending money on a new blade every few weeks.
Safety Features
Safety is critical when dealing with sharp objects. While cutting nails may not be such a big problem for you, pets have a different construction. Both dogs and cats have quicks – some blood vessels that end in the nails. If you cut the nails too close to their paws, you risk cutting the quicks as well. It is not only extremely painful for them, but they will also bleed and run away whenever you try to do it again.
Some units come with a quick guard, which does not let you get too close to the paw. This way, you are less likely to cut the quick.
You always have to double-check. Different dogs – even from the same breed – have different quick lengths. The good news is you can see the quick if you look closely. Use the guard for stability, but always double-check because no manufacturer can ever come up with a quick guard that protects every single pet out there.
Getting Ready to Clip Nails as a Beginner
Having the best dog nail clipper on the market is not everything, as you also need to get both yourself and your pooch in the mood to do it. So, what are the best ideas to ensure a good job without too much stress?
Preparing the Environment
Ideally, the dog should be familiar with this process while still a puppy. Dogs accept things easier when young if trained correctly. You can still do it with adult dogs; only it will be a bit harder. The general idea is relatively simple – make nail clipping look like a routine cleaning procedure and not a traumatizing experience.
There are a few steps to get your dog calmer before proceeding with the actual clipping.
- Get the dog used to touching their feet. Do it when you play, when about to sleep, or just out of nowhere. Conduct some small inspections around. They will be curious, but they will soon realize that you are not doing anything wrong.
- Clippers or trimmers must be introduced in a friendly way. Bring them into play, but in a closed position. Just place them around while you check their feet. They will smell the new tool, but they will not be worried about it.
- If everything goes alright whenever you perform these steps, give your furry friend a small treat for being good.
- After a few days of standard procedures, you can start opening and closing the clippers in a friendly way to avoid scaring your dog. Some dogs might be a bit nervous. If they keep calm or end up relaxing, pull out a little treat.
- The next step implies clipping. However, there is no rush. You want both you and the dog to feel calm and confident about it. Here's a great nail clipping scheduling guide provided by the American Kennel Club.
Finding the Quick First
Whether you have a quick guard or not, you want to know where the quick is for extra safety, as well as your peace of mind that you are not hurting your dog. Do it every single time before clipping. After a few times, you will get used to the optimal nail length though. If the nails are lightly colored, finding the quick is a piece of cake. You can see it from the outside – get closer and look.
If nails are dark, the quick is not visible, so you will need to perform a few little tricks and still give yourself a few millimeters just in case. First, you can flex the paw. You will spot the underside – that is where the vein becomes visible.
Second, check the paw from the profile. The vein is located where the nail goes thicker.
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