Trimming your dog’s claws is a challenge at the best of times, even without the added difficulty of owning a breed with naturally thick nails. The wrong pair of clippers can mean an already intimidating task could end in tears of frustration and bloodshed when you accidentally hit the quick. Fortunately, there are plenty of nail clippers available that are more than capable of cutting — and not crushing — your dog’s thick nails.
We checked out the most popular dog nail clippers and carefully considered the pros and cons of each. These reviews are our choices for the best nail clippers for dogs with thick nails, so you can take the first step in finding a hassle-free solution to your dog’s nail care needs.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Boshel Dog Nail Clipper
Includes a nail file
Safety stop helps you avoid the quick
3.5mm-thick stainless-steel blades
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Best Value
H&H Pets Dog & Cat Nail Clipper
Available in two sizes
Hypoallergenic stainless-steel blades
Rubber handles ensure a secure grip
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Premium Choice
Pet Republique Cordless Dog & Cat Nail Grinder & Nail Clippers
Locking handles for easy storage
Low vibration and quiet motor
Cordless grinder
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Best for Puppies
Safari Professional Nail Trimmer
Available in two sizes
Long-lasting stainless-steel blades
Tension spring for easy nail cutting
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Bissell Dog & Cat Nail Clippers
Nail file stored in the handle
Easy-to-follow instructions
Durable stainless steel
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The 10 Best Dog Nail Clippers for Thick Nails
The best overall dog nail clipper for thick nails is the Boshel Dog Nail Clipper. It’s designed with an ergonomic rubber handle to make it easy and comfortable to hold and 3.5mm-thick stainless-steel blades to cut nails cleanly without tearing. The clippers have a built-in safety guard on the blade to help you avoid the quick and make these clippers easy for beginners to use.
Size: 7.5 x 2.5 x 0.3 inches
Breed: All
Features: Nail file, ergonomic handle, safety guard
These nail clippers also come with a small nail file to help you tend to all of your dog’s nail care needs. The file is securely stored in the handle, so it’s always close at hand.
Due to its size, the Boshel nail clipper is more suited for large dog breeds. It can be too cumbersome to use on smaller dogs.
Pros
Includes a nail file
Safety stop helps you avoid the quick
3.5mm-thick stainless-steel blades
Ergonomic rubber handles
Suitable for beginners
Cons
Best suited for large breeds
Available in two sizes, the H&H Pets Dog & Cat Nail Clipper is suitable for small and medium dog breeds and is our choice for the best dog nail clippers for thick nails for the money. The design uses hypoallergenic stainless-steel blades for easy nail cutting and rubber, non-slip handles to provide a secure grip.
Includes a nail file
Safety stop helps you avoid the quick
3.5mm-thick stainless-steel blades
Ergonomic rubber handles
Suitable for beginners
- Includes a nail file
- Safety stop helps you avoid the quick
- 3.5mm-thick stainless-steel blades
- Ergonomic rubber handles
- Suitable for beginners
Best suited for large breeds
- Best suited for large breeds
Size: Small or medium
Breed: Small or medium
Features: Non-slip handle
To ensure that the blades don’t get damaged when the nail clippers are stored, the H&H nail clippers have a locking mechanism that keeps the blades closed when not in use. The package also includes easy-to-follow instructions for first-time dog owners.
However, while the instructions are suitable for beginners, some dog owners might have issues with the lack of a safety guard. If your dog has black nails or you’re not familiar with where the quick is, these clippers can be challenging to use.
Pros
Available in two sizes
Hypoallergenic stainless-steel blades
Rubber handles ensure a secure grip
Easy-to-follow instructions
Locking handle for easy storage
Cons
No safety guard
If you prefer having more than one way of tending to your dog’s claws, the Pet Republique Cordless Dog & Cat Nail Grinder & Nail Clippers contain nail clippers and a grinder. The nail clippers enable you to quickly cut your dog’s nails and come with a lockable handle to keep the blades in top shape when stored.
Available in two sizes
Hypoallergenic stainless-steel blades
Rubber handles ensure a secure grip
Easy-to-follow instructions
Locking handle for easy storage
- Available in two sizes
- Hypoallergenic stainless-steel blades
- Rubber handles ensure a secure grip
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- Locking handle for easy storage
No safety guard
- No safety guard
Size: 6.93 x 3.54 x 0.94 inches
Breed: Small
Features: Nail clippers and grinder, lockable handle
It takes a little longer for dogs to adjust to the noise and vibration of the grinder, but it’s specially designed to be suitable for pets. Quiet with a low-vibration motor, the grinder is cordless and contains a long-lasting battery that can be quickly charged via USB.
Although the nail clippers are built with sturdy stainless-steel blades, the plastic handles break easily. Some skittish dogs might also take longer to adjust to the noise of the grinder.
Pros
Locking handles for easy storage
Low vibration and quiet motor
Cordless grinder
Quick-charge, long-lasting battery
Cons
Non-durable design
Skittish dogs can be wary of grinders
When you’re first introducing nail clippers to your puppy, quick and easy is the way to go. The Safari Professional Nail Trimmer is sold in two sizes for both young and adult dogs of all sizes. It has a tension spring to help both left- and right-handed pet owners trim their dog’s nails and durable stainless-steel blades for longevity.
Locking handles for easy storage
Low vibration and quiet motor
Cordless grinder
Quick-charge, long-lasting battery
- Locking handles for easy storage
- Low vibration and quiet motor
- Cordless grinder
- Quick-charge, long-lasting battery
Non-durable design
Skittish dogs can be wary of grinders
- Non-durable design
- Skittish dogs can be wary of grinders
Size: 4.7 x 2.6 inches
Breed: All
Features: Tension spring, safety guard, lockable handles
There’s also a safety guard to protect the quick if you’re not sure how much of the nail to cut off. However, some users have had trouble with the screw holding the safety guard in place. It can come loose, and the safety guard can move while the clippers are used. These clippers also have a pinch point on the handles that can catch your hand if you hold the clippers too close to the blades.
Pros
Available in two sizes
Long-lasting stainless-steel blades
Tension spring for easy nail cutting
Safety guard protects the quick
Cons
Safety guard isn’t attached securely
Can pinch your hand when used
Along with the ergonomic, non-slip construction, the Bissell Dog & Cat Nail Clippers include a nail file that you can store in the handle. You can use this to tend to rough or sharp nails during the grooming session. The blades are made from stainless steel, with a built-in safety guard to prevent you from accidentally cutting the quick. There are also easy-to-follow instructions included to help new dog owners feel less intimidated when cutting their dog’s nails.
Available in two sizes
Long-lasting stainless-steel blades
Tension spring for easy nail cutting
Safety guard protects the quick
- Available in two sizes
- Long-lasting stainless-steel blades
- Tension spring for easy nail cutting
- Safety guard protects the quick
Safety guard isn’t attached securely
Can pinch your hand when used
- Safety guard isn’t attached securely
- Can pinch your hand when used
Size: 8 x 3.5 x 1 inches
Breed: Large
Features: Nail file, ergonomic handle, easy-to-follow instructions, safety guard
Despite the relative simplicity of the design, these nail clippers do have a thick, white button-like feature right by the blades. This part of the design can be a little obtrusive, especially if you’re trying to cut a smaller dog’s nails. Due to this, the Bissell nail clippers are best suited for large or medium breeds.
Pros
Nail file stored in the handle
Easy-to-follow instructions
Durable stainless steel
Ergonomic, non-slip handles
Cons
Too big for small dog breeds
Obtrusive design
Built-in safety guards are useful, but they can also be a cumbersome way of protecting your dog’s quick from getting cut. The Zen Clipper Precise Adjustable Dog Nail Clipper tackles this problem by offering adjustable blades instead of a physical guard that you can move around. By adjusting the blade sizes, you can use the Zen Clipper for any size claw — including cat claws — which makes it perfect for multi-pet homes and dogs with thick nails.
Nail file stored in the handle
Easy-to-follow instructions
Durable stainless steel
Ergonomic, non-slip handles
- Nail file stored in the handle
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- Durable stainless steel
- Ergonomic, non-slip handles
Too big for small dog breeds
Obtrusive design
- Too big for small dog breeds
- Obtrusive design
Size: 7 x 3 x 1 inches
Breed: All
Features: Adjustable design
It’s sold in two sizes to make sure all dog breeds are covered by the adjustable blade sizes. The stainless-steel blades also have long-lasting, laser-etched markings to prevent the adjustment measurements from fading over time. Unfortunately, some pet owners have had issues with the bolt holding the blades together loosening while the clippers are being used.
Due to the unique design, these clippers are more expensive than the other options on this list.
Pros
Adjustable blades
Suitable for multi-pet households
Available in two sizes
Long-lasting, laser-etched markings
Cons
Expensive compared to most other options
Bolt holding the blades together can loosen
The PetSpy Dog Nail Clipper is designed with a 3.5mm-thick, stainless-steel blade to retain sharpness and ensure clean, quick cuts through your dog’s claws. To help make sure these clippers are easy to use, the handles are made from non-slip material and are designed to fit into your hand to ensure that you can grip them securely.
Adjustable blades
Suitable for multi-pet households
Available in two sizes
Long-lasting, laser-etched markings
- Adjustable blades
- Suitable for multi-pet households
- Available in two sizes
- Long-lasting, laser-etched markings
Expensive compared to most other options
Bolt holding the blades together can loosen
- Expensive compared to most other options
- Bolt holding the blades together can loosen
Size: 6 x 2 x 1 inches
Breed: Medium and large breeds
Features: Nail file, non-slip handle, safety guard, lockable handles
Like several other nail clippers listed, the PetSpy has a few extra features. It has a built-in safety guard that can be slid into place behind the blades to protect the quick and a nail file that’s stored in the handle.
The handles can be locked in the closed position to prevent the blades from dulling when they’re stored; however, the locking mechanism can interfere while the clippers are in use. This nail clipper is on the large side and more suited for large and medium breeds.
Pros
Free nail file included in the handle
3.5mm-thick blades
Non-slip, easy-to-hold handles
Safety guard protects the quick
Cons
Locking mechanism can interfere when clippers are used
Too big for certain dog breeds
Designed for large dog breeds, the CHI Standard Nail Dog Clipper is made with durable stainless steel and aluminum. The metal construction is easy to clean with ergonomic handles, so it’s easy to hold and doesn’t hurt your hands when you use the clippers. A safety guard can be moved into place if you prefer having a guide to help you avoid the quick.
Free nail file included in the handle
3.5mm-thick blades
Non-slip, easy-to-hold handles
Safety guard protects the quick
- Free nail file included in the handle
- 3.5mm-thick blades
- Non-slip, easy-to-hold handles
- Safety guard protects the quick
Locking mechanism can interfere when clippers are used
Too big for certain dog breeds
- Locking mechanism can interfere when clippers are used
- Too big for certain dog breeds
Size: 1 x 2.25 x 8 inches
Breed: Large
Features: Ergonomic handle, safety guard, easy-to-clean, lockable handles
While the handles are lockable to help you store the clippers safely, the locking mechanism has been known to jam occasionally when the nail clippers are used. Some pet owners with smaller hands have had issues with the size of the ergonomic handles.
Pros
Built-in safety guard
Ergonomic handles
Easy-to-clean design
Handles are lockable for easy storage
Cons
Locking mechanism jams
Handles are too big for small hands
Size: 5 x 2 x 0.25 inches
Breed: Small or medium
Features: Safety guard, lockable handle, spring loaded
Lightweight and easy to use, the Millers Forge Nail Clipper With Safety Stop is designed for small or medium-sized dogs. It has a locking mechanism to keep the stainless-steel blades in top shape and prevent injury when the clippers are stored. The clippers are spring loaded to make cutting nails easier, although the spring can come off in some cases.
Built-in safety guard
Ergonomic handles
Easy-to-clean design
Handles are lockable for easy storage
- Built-in safety guard
- Ergonomic handles
- Easy-to-clean design
- Handles are lockable for easy storage
Locking mechanism jams
Handles are too big for small hands
- Locking mechanism jams
- Handles are too big for small hands
As one of the most affordable options on this list, the Millers Forge nail clipper has a simple design. It mimics regular pliers by using rubber sleeves on the handles to provide a secure grip. However, these grips have been known to slip off while the clippers are in use.
The built-in safety guard is designed to be moved into and out of place when you need it to help protect the quick. Some users have found that the bolt holding it in place is too loose to be reliable and that the guard slips when you’re cutting your dog’s nails.
Pros
Built-in safety guard
Rubber handles ensure a secure grip
Locking mechanism protects the blades when stored
Cons
Safety guard can come loose
Handle grips aren’t attached securely
Spring can break
Sold in both medium and large sizes, the JW Pet Gripsoft Deluxe Dog Nail Clipper is intended for heavy-duty use with medium or large dog breeds. The handles are ergonomically designed to feel comfortable for both right- and left-handed pet owners and have non-slip grips for security.
Built-in safety guard
Rubber handles ensure a secure grip
Locking mechanism protects the blades when stored
- Built-in safety guard
- Rubber handles ensure a secure grip
- Locking mechanism protects the blades when stored
Safety guard can come loose
Handle grips aren’t attached securely
Spring can break
- Safety guard can come loose
- Handle grips aren’t attached securely
- Spring can break
Size: 9 x 4.25 x 0.75 inches
Breed: Medium or large
Features: Ergonomic handle, non-slip, safety guard, lockable handle
Like many similar designs, there’s a built-in safety guard to protect the quick. The design of the guard makes this tool too big for small dog breeds, though.
Some pet owners have found that the blades can quickly become blunt and struggle to cut through nails. The locking mechanism is also badly constructed and can interfere with how these nail clippers work, making it clunky to use.
Pros
Available in two sizes
Suitable for right- or left-handed use
Non-slip, ergonomic handles
Cons
Can be too dull for some claws
Locking mechanism interferes during use
Too big for small dog breeds
Available in two sizes
Suitable for right- or left-handed use
Non-slip, ergonomic handles
- Available in two sizes
- Suitable for right- or left-handed use
- Non-slip, ergonomic handles
Can be too dull for some claws
Locking mechanism interferes during use
Too big for small dog breeds
- Can be too dull for some claws
- Locking mechanism interferes during use
- Too big for small dog breeds
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Nail Clipper for Thick Nails
With so many nail clippers tailored to different sizes of dogs, it’s not easy to buy the perfect tool for your grooming kit. We hope that the following tips will give you a few factors to consider when buying the best nail clippers.
Ask for Advice
One of the best ways to take the first step in buying a new pair of nail clippers is by asking for professional advice. Your veterinarian or groomer will be familiar with different dogs and their individual needs when it comes to their paws. They’ll also be familiar with the easiest tools to use and how effective the best clippers are.
You don’t have to follow their advice if you prefer another option, but it can help steer you in the right direction.
Durability
Thick nails are among the most difficult to cut through, and the tools you use need to hold up under the pressure. For this reason, considering the durability of your chosen nail clippers is important. Choose an option with sturdy handles and blades. The handles will make the clippers much easier to hold, and high-quality blades will hold their sharpness longer and won’t break or crush your dog’s nails.
In some cases, it might be best if you have at least two pairs of clippers in your grooming kit, especially if you have cats and dogs or two dog breeds with different nail types. One should be a heavy-duty option suitable for thick nails, while the other can be a simpler — but no less sturdy — nail clipper for a cat or smaller dog’s nails.
Nail Guard
Many dog nail clippers come with a built-in safety guard or stop that’s designed to act as a guide for avoiding the quick. For new dog owners who are unfamiliar with how much they should cut off their dog’s claws, this small measure of security can make it easier.
However, it does have a downside and isn’t foolproof. Sometimes, the clippers are designed for larger dogs, or the guard can get in the way or slip while you’re cutting your dog’s nails. These things can make it easy to catch the quick by accident, even if you use clippers with a safety guard.
Size
Just like dogs come in all shapes and sizes, nail clippers do too. Not all clippers are the right choice for all breeds, though. For example, nail clippers designed with large dogs in mind might work great for dogs with thicker nails, but they’ll be cumbersome to use for smaller breeds. Similarly, a smaller nail clipper for a big dog might not be strong enough to handle their much larger nails.
You need a nail clipper that can tackle the size of your dog’s nails without making it difficult for you to judge how much of the nail you’re cutting off. Choosing the right option will help you avoid cutting the quick and prevent the clippers from crushing the nails instead of cutting them.
Remember to consider the size of the nail clippers in your hand too. If they’re too big to hand onto, you’ll find it even more difficult to hold your dog’s paw securely and cut their nails. Using two hands to wield the clippers can result in your dog moving or you slipping and accidentally damaging the quick.
Style
There are two types of nail clippers designed for dogs: guillotines and scissors. Scissors are the easiest to use and give you more control, along with the ability to snip off small pieces of the nail at a time.
Guillotine clippers take longer to learn how to use and work by pushing the blades together rather than using a scissor action. This type of nail clipper can feel awkward if you’re not familiar with how to use it.
You can also consider nail grinders, which take more time to introduce to your dog but cause much less damage to the nail when used. There’s no risk of crushing the nail, but you can still cause your dog pain if you use it for too long at once or grind too much of the nail away.
What Is the Quick?
The quick is the sensitive blood vessel found in each of your dog’s nails. In dogs with white claws, the quick is easily visible as a light pink area inside the nail, which makes it much easier to avoid. However, it’s much harder to determine the location of when your dog has darker nails, which is where many accidents can happen.
Avoid the quick by only trimming small amounts of the nail at a time. The very tip of your dog’s nail won’t contain any blood vessels or nerves at all. Make sure to not take off too much of your dog’s nails if they get too long. The quick grows with the nail, and you’ll need to slowly trim your dog’s nails until they’re the right length to maintain.
What to Do If You Cut the Quick
For all the steps that you take to avoid the quick, accidents sometimes happen. You’ll likely at some point accidentally take too much off your dog’s nail. This can be devastating, cause a mess, and make your dog wary about future nail trimmings. Here are a few tips for what to do if you accidentally cut the quick.
Stay Calm
The quick is a blood vessel and will bleed when cut. This combined with your dog’s yelp and shying away is often a one-way ticket to panicked reassurances. Unfortunately, panicking about cutting the quick will only teach your dog that clipping their nails is something to be feared. Your dog will look to you for guidance, and staying calm will help you reassure them so you can properly treat their injury.
Control Bleeding
Stopping the blood flow is your priority. Apply pressure to the nail for at least 2 minutes to stop the bleeding. Sometimes, you might need to use a styptic pencil. Another home remedy is flour or baking powder.
Conclusion
Ergonomically designed and with a convenient nail file stored in the handle, the Boshel Dog Nail Clipper is the best overall dog nail clipper for thick nails. A cheaper option is the H&H Pets Nail Clipper with its simple construction and non-slip handle. For pet owners who would like more options for their money, the Pet Republique Cordless Nail Grinder and Clippers set includes two tools that you can use to tend to your dog’s nails.
These reviews were our favorite dog nail clippers for thick nails, and we hope that they have helped you start your search for your new grooming tool.
Sources
VCA Hospitals
Featured Image Credit: Oleggg, Shutterstock
- VCA Hospitals
