Every cat owner knows the importance of making sure their kitty's nails are at the right length, so that's why it's vital to have the best cat nail clippers in your grooming kit to keep on top of maintenance. Having overgrown nails can be distressing for cats. After all, they rely on them for various activities, from scratching and climbing to self-defence. Your kitty may not like having their nails clipped just as much as they don't like their hair being combed through with a cat grooming brush, but we're here to help make the experience as painless and stress-free as possible.
The idea of trimming your cat's claws might fill you with dread (and offer an image of scratched arms in your head). However, with the right tools for the job, all the knowledge, and a gentle approach, it'll be a quick and simple task for you and your kitty. We've got some guidance from Cats Protection in our FAQs so you'll know exactly what to do when cutting your cat's nails, and we've also put together advice on when to cut your cat's nails and what to look for if you think they might be too long in the first place. And if you're particularly nervous, you can always speak to your vet before attempting to do it yourself.
Best cat nail clippers at a glance:
Having the best cat nail clippers for the task at hand is one of the most important steps in trimming your kitty's claws yourself. You may be tempted to just use human nail clippers, but you definitely shouldn't do this as they're not designed for your cat's nail shape and could their nails to completely split, which will be SUPER painful for your feline friend. Nail clippers for cats are made to precisely cut the tips of your moggy's claws so you can prevent issues caused by overgrown or ingrown nails.
Regular nail clipping will make sure your cat can prowl in peace without their nails causing them pain. It'll also minimise the chance of your furniture and arms being torn to shreds with their excessively long claws (though we'd definitely recommend buying a cat scratching post to help prevent this further). We've rounded up all the best cat nail clippers that will be purr-fect for keeping your kitty's claws in check.
Best cat nail clippers
Best overall
AmazonA best seller on Amazon with over 65,000 reviews, the gonicc Pet Nail Clippers are a popular choice with other cat owners, and that's why they've made our top spot. The blades are made from sharp, high-quality stainless steel so you can trim with precision, and they're fitted with a safety stop that reduces the risk of cutting your cat's nails too short.
Customer review: "My cats nails were getting extremely long due to being an indoor cat plus she's elderly 😒. As much as she has scratch mats her nails on her back paws were getting too long. The clippers made it quick and easy to do. No trauma to the fur baby and she was quite happy for me to do it. Lots of treats after for her. Quick delivery too!"
Pros
- Highly rated with 1,000s of real-life customer reviews
- Safety stop feature
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the blade got dull fairly quickly
Best cat nail clippers with an angled tip
Best cat nail clippers with an angled tip
AmazonUsed by vets and professional groomers, you'll be using only the best to trim your kitty's nails by picking the Thunderpaws Professional-Grade Cat Nail Clippers. Safety is at the forefront with these clippers, which is why they come with a unique angled tip for a comfortable, safe and accurate cut so you can get it right from the very first cut.
Customer review: "Fantastic! My cat isn't big ( just under 5 kg ) but his back claws had become too thick for my ordinary clippers. I had to ask the vet to cut them last time he was there. These did the job very easily today with minimum fuss from him. I'd worried about using bigger clipoers but it is very easy to see where you are cutting."
Pros
- Angled tip
- Offers professional results at home
Cons
- They're very sharp, so need to ensure they're properly stored away for safety reasons
Best battery-powered nail grinder for cats
AmazonThis WAHL Battery Nail Grinder will make trimming, shaping and smoothing your cat's nails that little bit easier. It has various attachments for different sizes of nails, so you can choose the one most suitable for your pet. The ergonomic design means it will fit easily in the palm of your hand, leaving the other one free to hold your cat. It's ultra-quiet to not make sensitive pets feel too nervous.
Customer review: "So easy to use, both cat and dog now have trimmed nails and saving me a fortune in grooming costs."
Pros
- Variety of attachments
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Battery could run out mid-trimming
Best cat nail clippers for precision
AmazonMade with a comfortable grip, the CANDURE Nail Clippers have a smooth, curved head with non-slip rubber handles to ensure it's ergonomically designed. These clippers are built with rust-resistant steel and the sharp blades make sure you get a clean cut in one smooth action to make it as painless as possible. They're designed not only for kittens and small cats but other small animals, such as hamsters, ferrets and guinea pigs.
Customer review: "I bought these as I have a very old bunny, and two house cats, all of whom get very long claws. They are easy to hold and it is clear to see where you are cutting on them, so there have been no mishaps with cutting too close. They work really well on thin cat claws and the thicker claws my old bunny has. They also don't make a loud noise like other clippers in the past have, so they don't make the animals jump. They feel sturdy and well made and I am very happy with them. They are much better than the more costly pair they replaced!"
Pros
- Rust resistant blades
- Designed for clean-cutting
Cons
- Made with small animals in mind, so if you have a rather large cat, they may not be suitable
Best nail clippers for kittens
AmazonIf your kitty hasn't had their nails clipped before, they'll understandably be nervous, but the OneCut Pet Nail Clippers are made to not overwhelm them. They're small in size to make them look less intimidating while also being the right size to clip nails that small. To make it more comfortable for you, they can be used in both your left and right hands and have rubber-coated handles for easy gripping.
Customer review: "at first i used nail clippers to trim my cats nails but it was as if he was scared everytime so i bought these instead and he didnt meow as much and was calm everytime :)"
Pros
- Great for kittens and small cats
- Small size, so it's the right size for tiny nails
Cons
- Could be uncomfortable to hold after a while
Best nail clipper for medium and large cats
AmazonFor bigger cats that may have longer and thicker nails, you may require something a bit more heavy-duty for cutting their nails. That's where the Mikki Cat Claw and Nail Clipper come in. The micro-serrated blades give a clean cut, and there's also a cutting guide to help you keep your pet's nails at a short yet comfortable length without cutting too close or short.
Customer review: "These are perfect for our cat's claws, cuts safely and accurately."
Pros
- Reduces the risk of overcutting
- Cutting guide
Cons
- May be too big for some cats
Best cat nail clippers for ease
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
The FURminator Dog and Cat Nail Clippers are designed for safe and easy nail trimming, perfect for any nervous pet parents. Made for dogs and cats of all sizes, it comes with an adjustable nail guide so you can easily select a safe cutting depth and super sharp stainless steel edges to ensure a clean and even cut.
Pros
- Suitable for cats and dogs of all sizes
- Adjustable nail guide
- Easy grip handles
Cons
- No customer reviews
FAQs
How do you cut a cat's nails?
You may be equipped with all the right tools for the job, but how do you actually go about cutting your cat's nails at home? We've got a step-by-step guide from Cats Protection with some top tips to help you.
Prepare
Make sure you have everything you need, like clippers and treats, before you get started. Close any doors and windows to stop your cat from escaping. You might want to put a blanket or towel down for your kitty too, to keep them comfy.
Make sure your cat is comfortable
Try to get your cat nicely settled where you plan to trim their claws. Make sure they're in a position where you can hold them comfortably and firmly.
Hold their paw
When you're ready to start clipping, gently hold one of your cat's paws between your fingers and thumb. You'll want to apply very gentle pressure until you can see their claws, but you shouldn't squeeze them tightly.
Cut the tip
With a proper pair of cat nail clippers, clip the very tip of your cat's claw. You don't want this cut to be too short, as you can hurt your cat. You should avoid the quick at the base of the claw by the toes - this is the bit that will look pink. If you cut this, it will be very painful for your cat and make them bleed. Keep to the white parts at the very tip, and it'll be painless for your kitty.
Give your cat a treat
Once you've done one paw, it's best to stop and take a break so your cat doesn't get too stressed in one go. Give them a treat or play their favourite game as a reward if that's what they want, but they may prefer to just slip out and be by themselves for a while.
Repeat for the rest of the paws
It's best to space claw clipping out over a few days and tackle one paw at a time so your cat doesn't become too distressed.
You might find it's easier to have a second person to help you clip your cat's nails as one of you can hold your cat while the other clips their claws. However, if you're worried about tackling the job yourself or would like some further advice, you can always speak to your vet, as they will be able to show you how best to hold your cat and the safest way to clip their nails.
How do you know if your cat's claws are too long?
Long nails can be painful for cats, so it's important that you know the signs of when your cat's lengthy claws are causing them distress. Cats Protection says these include the following:
• Catching them on things such as blankets or carpets
• Nails being clearly visible while your cat is resting
• Your cat struggling to scratch their claws because they're too long and painful
• Hearing your cat's nails tap on the surface as they walk on hard floors
How often should I clip my cat's nails?
In general, you should aim to clip your cat's nails around every four weeks, but the frequency of needing to have their claws clipped will mostly depend on your cat's lifestyle and individual needs.
Active kitties who spend a lot of time outdoors may naturally wear down their nails, so won't need manual intervention from you as often as indoor cats might. Younger cats often have sharper, faster-growing nails compared to senior felines. That's why kittens and younger cats will require more attention on their nails while their young. And, of course, if you have a scratching post or cat tree with a scratching post included, your kitty will be maintaining their nails themselves through regular use, so won't need clipping by you as much.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.