The 7 Best Dog Nail Clippers Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

Nearing your dog with a pair of clippers, scissors, or nail files can strike fear into the hearts of dog owners Australia wide. Or rather, it can strike fear into the heart of your dog, and is a surefire way to see them run faster than ever. 

That’s enough for both of you to find the situation awkward at best, and traumatising at worst. In many cases, dogs are the most sensitive about their nails. A manicure is not your dog’s idea of rest and relaxation. Dog nail clippers in particular are hard work.  

Fear not! We are going to break it all down today. We teamed up with professional groomers and veterinarians to test the country's best dog nail clippers. After months of research and dozens and dozens of clippers tested, we compiled this list of the best of the best.

Ahead, we’ll first discuss the qualities of a good pair of clippers. Then we’ll move onto how nail clipping is done. Finally, we’ll give you our recommendations for the very best dog nail clippers Australia has to offer.

Our aim is that you come away confident to tackle your dog’s unruly nails and have the right tool to do the job. After all, grooming can be a calm, bonding experience once you get into the swing of things. (1)

Australia's Best Dog Nail Clippers Reviewed

So, you know the makings of a good nail clipper and the steps to cutting your dog’s nails proficiently. Let’s pair you with the best dog nail clippers for you and your needs. Our expert panel compiled the following reviews after testing clippers with a wide range of price points and features so we hope you find the right option for you!

You’re scared to clip your dog's nail in case you cut into their quick. This is a dilemma that most pet parents encounter when considering DIY dog grooming.

Luckily, we along with our panel of experts learned there’s a simple solution, the Lucky Tail Dog Nail Grinder.

Ok, this grinder is not exactly a nail clipper, but it does the same job, only better. The grinder is very intuitive and easy to use. I first needed to charge it (it is battery-powered), pressed the button, and it’s on. I then started gently working on my pup’s nails. The grinder is also very quiet and has low-vibration, so it works for even anxious dogs. Best of all, I was able to grind off tiny bits of the nail little by little without the risk of hurting my dog.

Though completely different than the other clippers we review on this list, the grinder does have an ergonomically designed handle, like other options ahead. It fits very naturally in your hand and has two speeds so you can start slowly until you and your dog are comfortable with the process. We recommend this product if it's your first time dealing with a dog's nails.

Our top choice for nail clippers is one that is made from quality stainless steel and comes in multiple sizes with a nail file! Everyone on our panel of experts is a fan of a good grooming kit, so a set of nail clippers covering a wide range of needs is right up our alley.

This kit comes with a nail clipper for large dogs & medium dogs, a tiny clipper for small dogs, puppies, and cats, and a nail file suitable for all of the above. This gives you complete flexibility. You can even use different clippers for different nails depending on your dog. Maybe your dog has a tiny dewclaw that needs a different size to the main nails. For those completing a dog grooming course or are already a professional groomer, this is a great starter kit.

As for materials, the blades are trusty old stainless steel. This means this set should last you a long time if well cared for. The ergonomic design is non-slip for an added layer of confidence.

Beginners like myself will be pleased to hear that all of the clippers in the set are fitted with safety guard blades that are adjustable. I was able to easily set the length I needed to avoid cutting too much.

The Mudder nail clipper set comes at a wonderfully economical price, making it an accessible option for all. Use it on your puppy and watch them grow into the larger clipper sizes. Use them on your Mastiff and have the smaller pair for your cat. This versatile, stylish, budget-friendly pack is a one-stop-shop for your pet nail clipping needs!

Maybe a clipper set is a bit too overwhelming for you. You just want a one and done option that will suit your grooming needs. Our panel's runner up in this category is the Wahl Pet Nail Clipper.

A simple product, the Wahl is very easy to use. The blade is made of hardy stainless steel. The handle is lined with rubber to ensure your hand doesn’t slip as you use it.

As for safety, there is a lock to keep the blades closed when you are not using them. As scissor clippers, our professional groomers note that this is very handy.

The Wahl clipper has another benefit - the price. This is a very budget-friendly option, accessible to all.

Unlike our number two choice, there appears to be no safety guard so we don’t recommend this for unconfident beginners.

Overall, for a simple one-time dog nail clipper, this is a foolproof option.

For those on a budget, the Ezonedeal is the nail clipper for you. It has a cool black and red ergonomic design that is very easy to use. Stainless steel blades slice through your dog’s nails effortlessly. Our panel of testers especially love that the manufacturer has added a safety guard to help guide beginners and unconfident groomers in clipping their dog’s nails. That extra piece of mind is truly priceless!

There is a non-slip grip with rubber handles for extra security. The tight spring mechanism ensures that you can apply even pressure as you cut.

One of the best features of this economical product is that it can be used for medium and large dogs. Grooming tools for dogs tend to be very sizeist! Small dogs are often very well catered for, whereas medium - extra large dogs like mine are forgotten. Luckily, Ezonedeal is offering an option that caters to the larger pups among us.

An extra addition to the kit is the metal nail file to smoothen out your work after clipping, which also sets it apart from our number two and three picks. All in all, this product is fabulous value for money. We highly recommend it.

As we mentioned, the dog grooming industry can be a little sizeist when it comes to creating products. If you're like me and want products for your large or extra-large pooch, you usually have to seek them out specifically.

For big dogs with big nails, our team recommends the Safari Professional Nail Trimmer. It comes in two sizes; small/medium and large, so your big dog is catered for here. Phew!

When trying it out, I appreciated how high-quality stainless steel is used to give a razor-sharp, long-lasting edge to the blades. And its rubber grip exterior was also comfortable for me to use.

We also love the green design! Quite unique for this category but suits the long line of other accessories Safari offers.

Our one con would be the price, as it is much more expensive than the other options on this list. However, if you have the budget and you are in the market for a nail clipper for large dogs, then you’ll surely get on well with the Safari model. The excellent reviews speak for themselves!

To balance the scales, let’s also cater for our small doggies and puppies! If you start clipping your dog’s nails during puppyhood, you will find it far easier to trim their nails later in life. Our expert team's pick is the Australian made Kazoo Puppy Nail Clipper. This is the ideal choice for your little one.

This tiny pair of clippers is unintimidating for your puppy. The blade is super sharp, slicing through your puppy’s nails with ease. The blades also have a particular shape to make them better ergonomically to clip small nails.

Unfortunately, the finger holes are quite small for this tiny pair so they weren't as comfy for us to use as the larger models. We also would have loved to see a safety guard to help prevent overcutting.

There isn’t a stainless steel seal on the blade so we can deduce that these aren’t the same quality of the others on the list. The price is relatively reasonable but the durability does come into question.

Overall, this is a great choice to get started with trimming your puppy’s nails without fuss.

Okay, yes, guillotine trimmers are controversial! If you know what you are doing, and simply prefer guillotine trimmers, we wanted to provide a recommendation for you too.

Safari has a great trimmer in this unique category. Hardy, high-quality, stainless steel creates a sharp cutting edge. The guillotine mechanism is supported by reliable springs that our experts think slice the nail quickly and cleanly.

There are two sizes of this product; small and large to cater to a wide range of breeds. The reason we like this guillotine model so much is the double blade system. This means that you can use this product whether you are left-handed or right-handed. The blades will work in your favour however you need to use it.

Like our number five choice, the characteristic green design is charming. There is no rubber outer lining this time so perhaps not as secure feeling as others on the list.

For a budget-friendly price point and high-quality materials, our panel thinks the Safari is the choice for you if you prefer guillotine nail clippers for dogs.

What I Look for In A Pair of Nail Clippers

Nail clippers are not nearly as scary as they look. To find the right pair, our expert team want you to know that there are a few factors at play. If you choose the wrong pair of clippers, you may harm your dog or at least make the job far more uncomfortable for yourself. Here is what you need to know.

Types of Nail Clippers

There are two main types of nail clippers: scissor clippers and guillotine clippers.

Scissor clippers are used like grooming scissors. You squeeze the blade around the dog’s claw and snip as you would with a normal pair of scissors.

Guillotine clippers work a little differently. You place the edge of the nail you want to cut into the hole at the tip of the tool. When you squeeze the handle, a blade will push forward and slice across the nail in one clean swoop.

The jury is out as to which is better. Some claim that guillotine clippers crush your dog’s toe. (2) Some also claim that scissor clippers give you more control and precision. We suggest speaking to your dog's vet or a professional groomer to decide what is best for you and your pooch.

Safety

This is what you’re truly scared of, right? Is it safe to clip your dog’s nails yourself? Whilst the safety of the product comes down to how you use it, manufacturers do their best to help you out in this regard.

Our experts want to mention that some models have safety stop blades to prevent over-cutting. Having extremely sharp blades also add to the general safety of the product. If the blades are dull, it will be tougher to get through your dog’s nail. This risks sudden slips or hangnails.

Related: How To Stop Your Dog From Slipping On The Floor.

Materials

Following on from the sharpness, the materials used to make up dog claw clippers are important. You want durable, reliable materials like stainless steel to ensure the strength and sharpness of the blade over time.

Stainless steel is accessible enough that even the cheapest nail clippers on the market should have it. If it doesn’t, run!

Ergonomics

This is all to do with your comfort in using the product. Though the comfort of your dog is paramount, ergonomics is also a safety issue. If they are difficult for you to use or are incredibly taxing on your hands, you’ll have less precision and strength when cutting your dog’s nails. You want the design to be easy to fit in your hands and allow you to apply even pressure to make accurate cuts.

How I Use Dog Nail Clippers

Hopefully, now that you understand the anatomy of a great pair of dog claw clippers, you feel more at ease finding the right pair for you. The next step is to know how to use them once you’ve purchased one, so here we go! Our team of professional vets and groomers share their expert tips ahead.

Step 1: Preparing your dog

Nail clippers can be quite scary to your dog - more so than nail files even which is surprising! Electric nail grinders buzz so they would seemingly be more frightening, but our experts say that clippers can be trickier. That said, we do recommend a good pair of nail clippers for your ultimate at-home grooming kit. So how do we get doggo on board?

Related: How To Deal With Aggressive Dogs During Nail Clipping?

It is all about acclimatisation. Your dog needs to get used to you handling their paws and claws. If your dog is a little sensitive about their paws, positive reinforcement practices like the use of treats and soothing praise can help them trust you with their paws. For me, I chose to train my dog how to high five when she was really young to ensure she felt comfortable voluntarily giving me her paw. That makes a huge difference. Also, getting them to shake hands is a great practice.

You don’t have the same noise issues as with dog nail grinders or dog hair clippers, but it is worth letting your dog get used to seeing the tool. You don’t want to surprise them with nail clippers. Let them see the tool on a regular basis before using them.

Related: Getting Your Puppy Accustomed To Having Their Nails Clipped

Step 2: Angling the cut

You need to determine the part of the nail you need to cut. Your dog’s nail is made up of the free edge and the inner cuticle which has a network of blood vessels running through it. This is what you want to avoid.

Related: What To Do If Your Dog Has Nail Problems.

To cut your dog’s nail, our experts suggest you either sit beside them or sit in front of them and hold their claw in place with your weak hand. Use your dominant hand to angle the clipper at a 45-degree angle.

Step 3: How much of the nail to cut

Once you are in position, make one clean, confident snip. Aim to cut too little rather than too much.

Of course, this is easier to do in dogs with clear nails than it is in those whose nails are dark. With either colored-nails though, it's important to go slowly and give your dog lots of praise and positive rewards (treats) throughout the process.

If you snip too little than intended but you don’t want to risk making another cut, you can always use a nail file (manual or electronic) to shave down the final bits.

If you are a touch overzealous and cut into the “quick” (the cuticle interior of the nail), there may be a fair bit of blood. Try not to panic as your dog will be stressed. The cut has hurt them but it is a short, sharp pain that should fade within time. Most commonly, dog owners use styptic powder to stop the bleeding. (4) For a home remedy, you can also use cornstarch.

We know that reading instructions for clipping your dog’s nails can be a bit abstract. There are many video tutorials available to help you visualise the process.

My Final Say

After we gathered with our expert panel and compared notes, we realised that you can’t go wrong with the Mudder Clipper Set. Not only does it contain a full slate of nail clippers at all different sizes, it also contains a nail file which is always useful. The set is durable, budget-friendly, and stylish. Everything you could want!

For more canine grooming guides check out the below:

• Best Online Dog Grooming Course
• Best Dog Grooming Kit
• Best Dog Grooming Scissors

References

1. Erb, H. September 25, 2015. “A Bonding Opportunity: Groom Your Dog”. American Kennel Club. Retrieved April 4, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/groom-your-dog
2. Gellman, K. December 10, 2021. “A Stress-Free Way For Trimming Your Dog’s Toenails”. Dogs Naturally Magazine. Retrieved April 4, 2023.   https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/trimming-your-dogs-toenails/
3. Turner, B. November 10, 2022. “How Often Should You Cut Your Dog's Nails?”. Preventive Vet. Retrieved April 4, 2023.  https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-often-should-you-cut-your-dogs-nails
4.  Miller, L. April 4, 2022. "How To Cut Your Dogs Nails The Right Way". Bark. Retrieved April 4, 2023. https://post.bark.co/health/how-to-cut-dog-nails/