Best Dog Nail Clippers and Grinders for Home Trims

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By Michael Gonzales · Updated October 20, 2026

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For most dogs, the best nail clipper is the Millers Forge Professional Nail Clip in size medium. It is Wirecutter's top pick, and every vet and groomer Wirecutter interviewed recommended Millers Forge. Get the small size for dogs under 20 pounds and the large for dogs over 60. If your dog hates clippers, try a grinder like the Dremel 7760-PET.

We didn't test these ourselves. The picks below come from Wirecutter's and Whole Dog Journal's published testing, plus trimming advice from the AKC and VCA Animal Hospitals.

What are the best dog nail clippers and grinders?

What nail clippers do vets and groomers recommend?

Millers Forge. Wirecutter interviewed two vets and three groomers, and every one of them recommended Millers Forge clippers, praising the price and reliability. In Wirecutter's testing, the medium clipper "cuts cleanly, consistently, comfortably, and effortlessly out of the box."

Its one trade-off: the medium has no safety stop. Wirecutter found the stop bar on the small version mostly got in the way, and vet tech Jared Wiley agreed: "I feel like they just get in the way." If you're nervous, though, a guard is a reasonable thing to want, and that's where the small Millers Forge or the Safari trimmer comes in.

What size nail clippers does your dog need?

Go by weight. "In general, a dog under 20 pounds is considered small, over 60 is large, and everything in between is medium," Wiley told Wirecutter.

• Under 20 lb: small clipper. Wirecutter says the small Millers Forge isn't strong enough for medium or large dogs.
• 20 to 60 lb: medium. This covers most house dogs.
• Over 60 lb: large. Don't use it on small dogs. Wiley said large trimmers on small dogs are "almost like they break the nails instead of cutting them."

Is it better to clip or grind a dog's nails?

Both work. It mostly comes down to your dog.

Whole Dog Journal says grinders can often get closer to the quick with less risk of bleeding, which helps if you want to keep nails short. VCA Animal Hospitals notes the risks: the spinning tip can get tangled in long hair and can burn the skin if it slips, and the dust can irritate people. You can also clip first, then smooth the edge with a grinder.

Which type of dog nail clipper is best?

There are three styles: plier (or scissor), guillotine and grinder. For most people, plier-style is the best place to start.

• Plier-style: what Wirecutter's top picks are. Strong and easy to control.
• Guillotine: the nail goes through a loop and a blade slices it. Wirecutter says it's fine for small pets but doesn't recommend it for medium-size dogs or larger, partly because the dog can't pull its paw back easily.
• Grinder: good for dogs that hate the "snip," and for smoothing edges.

How do you trim your dog's nails at home?

Here's the routine from the AKC and VCA:

1. Get the dog used to it first. Handle the paws often, let the dog sniff the clipper and reward with treats. The AKC suggests going one nail at a time with puppies.
2. Hold the paw firmly but gently, with your thumb on the toe pad, pushing slightly to extend the nail.
3. Clip only the tip, straight across. Don't clip past the curve of the nail, where the quick starts.
4. On light nails, you can see the pink quick. VCA says to stay about 2 to 3 mm away from it.
5. On dark nails, take off 1 to 2 mm at a time. The AKC says to stop when you see a chalky white ring on the cut surface.
6. Don't forget the dewclaws on the inside of the paw. They don't touch the ground, so they overgrow.
7. Keep styptic powder handy. If you nick the quick, press a little on the nail. VCA says flour or cornstarch works in a pinch.

If you've never done it, the AKC's chief vet, Dr. Jerry Klein, suggests asking your vet or vet tech for a lesson. Or have a pro do it: find dog groomers near you.

How often should you trim your dog's nails?

Wirecutter's guide says every four to six weeks for most dogs. VCA says inactive dogs, or dogs that don't walk on hard surfaces, may need it more often, as often as every three weeks. The simple test: if you hear nails clicking on the floor, or they touch the ground when your dog stands, they're due.

Do dogs feel better after a nail trim?

They often move more easily. Wirecutter notes that overgrown nails can make toes splay, cut down traction and snag on rugs, and very long nails can curl under the toes. Keeping them short avoids that. If a nail looks cracked, infected or has grown into the pad, see your vet instead of trimming it yourself.

For the rest of your at-home grooming kit, see our grooming gear guide.

Frequently asked questions

What nail clippers do vets recommend? The vets and groomers Wirecutter interviewed all recommended Millers Forge clippers. Wirecutter's top pick is the Millers Forge Professional Nail Clip in size medium.

What do professional groomers use to trim dog nails? Every groomer Wirecutter spoke with recommended Millers Forge, which makes plier-style clippers.

Is it better to cut or grind dog nails? Either works. Clippers are quick and quiet. Grinders are slower but leave a smooth edge and can get closer to the quick with less risk of bleeding, according to Whole Dog Journal.

Should you cut dog nails sideways or straight? Straight across, taking only the tip, according to the AKC. Don't cut past the curve of the nail.

How do I find the quick on black nails? You can't see it, so take 1 to 2 mm at a time. The AKC says to stop when a chalky white ring appears on the cut end.

What should I do if I cut the quick? Press styptic powder onto the nail to stop the bleeding. VCA says flour or cornstarch can work if you don't have any. Call your vet if it won't stop.

Sources

Wirecutter: The best dog nail clippers (updated Nov 20, 2025) · Whole Dog Journal: The best dog nail grinders (June 24, 2026) · AKC: How to trim your dog's nails safely · VCA Animal Hospitals: How to trim a dog's nails. Checked October 19, 2026.