Cat claw cutter: choice, model rating, how use

A crucial component of your cat’s maintenance regimen is trimming their claws. Claws that have grown too long can be uncomfortable and, in certain situations, dangerous. Using a proper cat claw cutter is essential to protecting your furniture and keeping your cat comfortable.

It can be difficult to choose the best claw cutter because there are so many models available. When choosing, considerations include safety features, handle comfort, and blade sharpness. Both you and your cat will benefit from a smoother process if you find the ideal tool.

We’ll examine several of the best cat claw cutters available, contrast their features, and provide usage advice in this guide. This will assist you in maintaining your feline friend’s claws in optimal condition, regardless of your level of experience with pet ownership.

What is a nail clipper

Using regular or manicure scissors to trim a cat’s strong, curved claws is very difficult. Using a claw cutter for this is far more practical. This unique cat manicure tool is composed of materials with exceptional strength. Its primary goal is to swiftly and painlessly perform this hygienic procedure on the animal with the least amount of risk.

Get a claw cutter and trim your cat’s claws on your own, as opposed to bringing them to the vet or a groomer at least twice a month. Additionally, you can trim a few claw tips at a time to gradually acclimate the animal to the process at home. Learn the correct way to cut a cat’s claws at home.

Some owners only file the cat’s claws because they are so terrified of hurting it. It is up to each owner to decide which procedure they prefer. Though it’s much quicker and simpler to just cut the tips of the claws.

Types of nail clippers

Although this tool for cat manicures comes in a variety of forms, the majority of them fall into one of five categories:

  • Scissors. In their appearance and design, they really resemble the usual tool. Only the blades are very short, made of thick and durable steel and have special notches for a tight grip on the claw.

  • Nippers or pruners. In terms of the principle of action, they resemble pliers or pruners. They have the same rubberized, widely spaced handles, usually connected by a spring. They end with the same blades with rounded notches. The knives of this accessory are locked by a lever, which makes them safe to store, especially if there are small children in the house. Most models are also equipped with claw length limiters, which minimizes the risk of injury to the animal.

  • Guillotine type. The principle of operation of this device is the same as that of the legendary execution instrument of the French Revolution. The tip of the cat"s claw is fixed in the device and a sharp knife is lowered, cutting off the dead part. This is one of the most popular types today. However, you need to use such a claw cutter very carefully, since the entire length of the clamped nail plate is not visible. In addition, reviews of devices of this type are often negative, people prefer scissors or pruning shears.

  • Electric grinders. Most often, this tool is used by professional groomers in pet salons. The tip of the claw is ground down on the rotating abrasive part of the device. Such a grinding machine usually has several different attachments, there are limiters for the length of the nail plate.

  • With claw catchers. Can be of different types, for example, guillotine. Equipped with a device that absorbs the cut off part of the claw.

Tips for using claw cutters

To expeditiously and painlessly perform the "cat" manicure, one must follow this straightforward sequence of steps:

  • Treat the instrument with alcohol-containing solutions or Chlorhexidine.
  • Prepare a place for the procedure, all the necessary instruments, treats for the cat.
  • Don"t forget about first aid in case of accidental injury. It is better to choose drugs without alcohol, for example, hydrogen peroxide, Miramistin or Chlorhexidine. Also prepare bandages.
  • Wash your hands well and provide bright light.
  • Take the cat in your arms, talk to it affectionately, calm it down.
  • Hold the pet"s paw with one hand, fix it well.
  • With the fingers of the other hand, press on the pad of the paw, forcing it to release the claws.
  • Evaluate the required length of the part of the nail plate that should be cut off.
  • Use a claw cutter to cut off the excess dead part of the claw, stepping back a couple of millimeters from the edge of the pulp.
  • Repeat similar manipulations with the next claws.
  • Be sure to praise the pet and give it a treat.

You can trim all of the claws at once and even carefully file the tips with a file if the animal accepts the trimming in a calm manner. Similarly, you can ask a household member to assist you in trimming one or two claws per day if the animal is nervous and dislikes this procedure.

If the cat has just finished eating or is playing, you shouldn’t trim its claws. It is preferable to perform the procedure while the animal is at ease or asleep.

It is best to start a kitten off with claw trimming at a young age so that an adult cat won’t be afraid of it. Simultaneously, you must always speak to the infant in a loving manner and never raise your voice. The paws are softly caressed, with light pressure applied to the pads and the claws released. The animal has to be taken to a vet clinic if a claw injury sustained during trimming results in bleeding that cannot be stopped in half an hour.

Mr. Cat recommends: criteria for choosing a claw clipper

Selecting the appropriate claw clipper is crucial to prevent injury to the cat during claw trimming.

The following are the selection criteria:

  • High-quality blade material. They should be very sharp and cut off the tip of the claw in one movement, the cut must remain smooth, not torn.
  • The claw cutter should fit comfortably in a person"s hand, not slip, have an optimal weight and size.
  • The thickness of the pet"s claw is also important. For small animals and kittens, it is better to use tools such as scissors or tweezers (pruners). For adult cats with a hard nail plate, a guillotine-type device or electric grinders are better suited.
  • If you have no experience, it is better to first use claw cutters or tweezers.
  • Preference should be given to models with limiters, in this case the risk of injuring the pet is minimized.

Review and rating of models

These days, a variety of cat claw cutter models with various working principles can be found in pet stores. Cat enthusiasts, groomers, and breeders have put together an indicative list of the most well-liked, high-quality, and user-friendly gadgets. This review includes a list of a few of them.

Anti-scratch nail clippers

The least expensive choice is around 100 rubles. It has received a good number of favorable reviews at the same time. The fact that the rings are small and unsuitable for men’s hands is one of their drawbacks. Some claim that while the scissors do the job, they are better suited for kittens because they delaminate the claws. Nonetheless, the product has received more positive reviews, all of which highlight its good quality at a reasonable cost.

V nail clippers-scissors.I.Pet

Fit for dogs, birds, rabbits, and cats. Comfortable handles and blades with double sharpening. less than 200 rubles in price. and have received a lot of favorable feedback.

Guillotine nail clippers and Dezzie pruner

A few of the most widely used at home. Superior steel blades with plastic handles for convenience and anti-slip properties. The pruner is 12.3 cm in length and the guillotine-style product is 15.8 cm long. The latter is less expensive, guillotining up to 500 rubles for 350–400 rubles.

Scissors, priests and guillotines Hello Pet

  • Favorable price, large selection. Suitable not only for cats, but also dogs, rabbits and ferrets. Four options for scissors. Everyone has convenient rubberized handles, a double sharpening blade, the length of the claws and blades is different, see the photo of the views. Cost up to 400 rubles.

  • Suitable for cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits and chinchillas. Rubberized handles, a limiter and a castle on a handle for safe storage. There are three options: for small, medium and large animals.

Coogters have an 8.5 cm length and a 4 cm by 3 cm working surface. 360 rub. 14 cm in length, 4 cm by 2.5 cm on the working surface of the coogterosis. 450 rubles. Coogers measure 16.5 cm in length and 1.6 cm in width. 500 rubles.

  • Guillotines have a spring mechanism, allow you to cut thin claws, suitable for cats and dogs, rabbits and birds. You can buy options with rubberized handles, it is best to give preference to number 1781, you can see it in the photo. All reviews of this claw clipper are positive, people talk about convenience and sharpness. There are other options with rubberized handles, but the comments about them are mostly worse, they often talk about breaking or crumbling claws.

Purchasing an entirely stainless steel option is not advised. Made in China, there are two varieties priced at 250 rubles. Taiwan for nearly five hundred rubles. and both have received overwhelmingly bad feedback, essentially due to the fact that the claws just bend and break rather than being cut.

Trixie claw clipper-pruner

Two choices 16 and 12.5 cm. Fit for small dogs, cats, birds, and other small animals. 430 and 570 rubles, in that order. Reviews are favorable. possess a limiter and rubberized handles.

12.5 x16 x

Delight Claws

Similar to Hello Pete, there are numerous choices. Small and medium, curved, parallel, and emphatic. Price range: 1500–300 rubles. With two sharpening blades and cozy handles.

Tiny, medium-sized, bent, and straight small

The manufacturer also sells pruning shears and guillotines, but there are hardly any reviews for the latter. Some users of the pruning shears claim that while they are reasonably priced, they are not particularly convenient.

Zolux nail clippers and scissors

Made for both small and large pets, like Maine Coons, it comes in two different sizes. Suitable for birds and rodents as well. The handles on the larger model are rubberized. There are no limits on this French nail clipper. It costs roughly 300 rubles.

9 * 5 * 16 cmor 5 * 3 * 12 cm

Hagen le salon nail clippers and secateurs

The handles are made of non-slip material, and the blades are crafted from premium stainless steel with a unique shape. It costs roughly 400 rubles, or perhaps less. 12.5 * 10 * 1.5 cm in size.

TRIOL 181AP nail clipper-pruner

Taiwan is the place where this gadget is made. It is inexpensive (approximately 250 rubles), has rubberized handles and premium steel blades that are easy to use. A limiter exists. Ideal for all small creatures. 130 * 40 * 13 mm in dimensions.

Electric grinder Codos CP-3200

An increasingly common professional tool for processing dog and cat claws and even trimming rabbit teeth. able to run continuously for up to 4 hours in wireless mode or from a 100–240V network. In one hour, it charges fully. Two-speed metal sharpening stone coated in diamond. between 3000 and 3500 rubles in price.

Grinder Ziver 219, 20.ZV.066

Two thousand rubles. less expensive than the last one, at around 1100 rubles. However, reviews for it are positive. Operates using two AA batteries. A metal sharpening rod coated in diamonds. The gadget is typically bought for dogs, though reviews indicate that cats can also use it; there are no batteries included in the package.

Why trim a cat"s claws

Any cat, even a domestic one, is, first of all, a predator. At the same time, it can only be called a domesticated animal conditionally. This animal always "walks on its own". Therefore, sooner or later, it will show its claws to a person. Scratching posts solve this problem only partially and therefore an important attribute of caring for a pet is trimming claws. Although, undoubtedly, the process of trimming claws itself causes a lot of controversy among veterinarians and breeders. Some consider it inhumane, and advocates of trimming are sure that this is just a panacea. By the way, read how to make a scratching post for a cat with your own hands, as well as how to accustom it to it.

Cats scratch and sharpen their claws on wallpaper or furniture for a purpose. In the process of marking its territory and leaving its scent behind, the animal naturally sheds the keratinized layer from its natural defense mechanism. Each cat has a different rate of claw growth, but generally speaking, they need to be trimmed multiple times per month. Visiting a groomer or veterinary clinic on a regular basis is just not feasible. Not only is it wasteful, but these visits also cause stress in the cat.

The structure of a cat"s claw

The fingers on a cat’s paw pad terminate in sharp, curved claws. Four of them are on the back limbs and five are on the front limbs.

The phalanges that make up each cat’s finger are heavily entangled with blood vessels, nerve endings, muscles, and joints. In the upper phalanx of the finger, a unique tendon functions when a cat pulls in a claw. The claw retracts into the plush paw pads when the animal is at ease. The claws protrude when there is possible danger, aggression, or excitement.

Their shape resembles a hook, with the help of which the cat is able to tenaciously grab and firmly hold its prey. If you look closely at the claw, you can see the pulp, penetrated by blood vessels and nerves, under the transparent keratinized plate. That is why you need to trim your cat"s claws very carefully, without touching the "live" part, so as not to injure the animal and prevent bleeding. Actually, this is the essence of the most hygienic procedure for trimming cat claws – in removing the dead keratinized part and keeping the pulp intact. If you damage it, you can even leave your pet disabled. This is exactly the fate that awaits those animals whose "caring" owners completely remove the claws, performing an inhumanly cruel operation called onychectomy.

It’s crucial to select the appropriate cat claw cutter if you want to keep your pet comfortable and healthy. This post will walk you through the various kinds of claw cutters, rank the models according to their usability and efficacy, and provide basic instructions on how to safely trim your cat’s claws at home.

Arguments for and against trimming the claws of a domestic cat

This procedure helps protect small children in the house from scratches, when an overly naughty pet can get carried away and accidentally harm a child. In addition, wallpaper, expensive furniture and other household items and clothing will not be damaged. If there are several cats in the house, this will also protect them from injuring each other during quarrels. The main argument that animal rights activists give against trimming claws is relevant. This is the only vital "tool" of the animal, with the help of which it can climb up the trunk of a tree or building, defend itself from enemies, get food for itself. Therefore, you cannot trim the claws of cats that often walk outside, they automatically fall into the risk group.

Claw trimming is not necessary for many well-mannered, healthy domestic cats. They will never do harm to people or the apartment’s environment because they know exactly how to get rid of the keratinized portion of the plate themselves.

This procedure is acceptable for young, energetic, domestic pets as long as it is performed correctly and with a high-quality tool.

Trimming the claws is essential:

  • If you plan to take your pet to mating, an exhibition or a show. In a stressful situation, a cat or a cat can accidentally injure a partner or a person.
  • When the claw grows too quickly. This is typical for Persians and sphinxes. With a lack of vitamins D and B, the keratinized layer often peels off and breaks, the animal can accidentally pull out the claw itself.
  • At a very respectable age of the pet, when it is not able to grind down its claws on its own. Trimming in this case often prevents the nail plate from growing into the paw pad.
Aspect Details
Choice Choose a claw cutter that fits your cat"s size and claw thickness. Opt for a comfortable grip and sharp blades for clean cuts.
Model Rating Popular models include scissor-type and guillotine-style cutters. Scissor-type is easier for beginners, while guillotine-style offers precision for more experienced users.
How to Use Hold the cat"s paw gently, press to extend the claw, and cut just the sharp tip. Avoid cutting into the quick to prevent bleeding.

Selecting the appropriate cat claw cutter is crucial for the welfare and comfort of your furry friend. You and your cat can both benefit from less stress and easier trimming sessions with the right tool. Selecting the appropriate cutter for your purpose is made easier when you are aware of the various kinds that are available, such as guillotine or scissor-style clippers.

Think about things like your cat’s size, the blade’s sharpness, and the ease of use when choosing a claw cutter. Examining reviews and ratings for models can be beneficial in learning what other pet owners suggest for effective and safe trimming.

Selecting the correct cutter is not as important as using it correctly. Cut tiny pieces at a time, make sure your cat is calm, and refrain from cutting too near the quick. Your cat may look forward to claw trimming if it is done on a regular, gentle basis.

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Anna Vetrova

Experience working with pets for over 10 years. Studying the behavior of cats and dogs is my main passion. Advocate of the positive reinforcement method in training and education. I help owners better understand their pets and find a common language with them.

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