The Best Cat Nail Clippers

If you want to trim your cat’s nails at home, start with a clipper made for small cat nails. Our top pick is the Zen Clipper, which comes in cat-specific sizes and has a blade shaped to let in only the nail tip. This guide compares five options and explains how to choose.

Our picks at a glance

• Best overall: Zen Clipper
• Best for kittens and small nails: Magic Coat Professional Series Cat Nail Clipper
• Best for a secure grip: Safari by Coastal Cat Deluxe Nail Trimmer
• Best for either hand: Safari by Coastal Cat Nail Trimmer
• Best budget: JW Gripsoft Cat Nail Clipper

The best cat nail clippers

Best overallPhoto: Zen Clipper

Cat nail clippers

Zen Clipper

Best for: Cat owners nervous about cutting the quick

The maker says its patented conical blade lets only the tip of the nail into the cutting area. It comes in seven sizes, and the brand lists XS for most adult cats and S for older cats with larger nails. Skip it if you don’t want to pick a size first.

• Pro: Cat-specific sizes, including XS for most adult cats and S for older cats with larger nails
• Pro: Conical blade is designed to let only the nail tip reach the cutting edge
• Pro: Stainless steel blade with a cushioned non-slip handle
• Con: Sold in seven sizes, so you need to pick the right one
• Con: Still needs a calm cat and a steady hand

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Best for kittens and small nailsPhoto: Four Paws

Cat nail clippers

Magic Coat Professional Series Cat Nail Clipper

Best for: Kittens and cats with small nails

This compact clipper is made for cats and kittens. It has stainless steel blades, rounded tips and ergonomic handles. The maker gives no exact size, so check the product page if hand fit matters to you.

• Pro: Compact size made for cats and kittens
• Pro: Stainless steel blades
• Pro: Rounded tips and ergonomic handles
• Con: The maker lists no exact dimensions
• Con: No built-in guard against cutting too far

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Best for a secure gripPhoto: Safari by Coastal

Cat nail clippers

Safari by Coastal Cat Deluxe Nail Trimmer

Best for: Owners who want a firm, comfortable hold

This trimmer has a large finger hole, an easy-grip handle and a non-slip finger rest. The cutters are stainless steel. It is a good fit if you want a firm hold, but it is bigger than the standard Safari cat trimmer.

• Pro: Large finger hole and easy-grip handle sized for all hand sizes
• Pro: Stainless steel cutters
• Pro: Non-slip finger rest
• Con: Only one size
• Con: Larger than the standard Safari cat trimmer

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Best for either handPhoto: Safari by Coastal

Cat nail clippers

Safari by Coastal Cat Nail Trimmer

Best for: Left-handed and right-handed owners

This small trimmer has a double-bladed, guillotine-style cutter and stainless steel blades. Safari says it works in either the left or right hand. Skip it if you want a blade designed to limit how much nail goes in.

• Pro: Double-bladed guillotine-style cutter for a single quick cut
• Pro: Stainless steel blades
• Pro: Can be used with the left or right hand
• Con: Only one size
• Con: Guillotine-style blades need a steady hand and good aim

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Best budgetPhoto: JW Pet

Cat nail clippers

JW Gripsoft Cat Nail Clipper

Best for: First-time clipper buyers on a budget

A simple clipper sized for cat nails, with a non-slip rubber handle. The maker says it suits all cat breeds and sizes. It has no extra features, and it ships in assorted colors.

• Pro: Sized for trimming cat nails
• Pro: Non-slip rubber handle shaped to fit the hand
• Pro: One size for all cat breeds and sizes
• Con: Only one size and no extra features
• Con: Ships in assorted colors, so you can't pick one

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How to choose cat nail clippers

Pick a size made for cats

Cat nails are small and thin. A clipper made for cats, or sized for small nails, is easier to line up with the tip. Some brands, like Zen Clipper, sell several sizes. Others sell one size.

Look at the blade design

Some clippers have a hole the nail slides through, with a blade that cuts in one stroke. Others, like the Zen Clipper, use a blade shaped to let in only the tip. Choose the style you feel most steady using. Clean, sharp stainless steel blades are a plus.

Check the grip

You will hold a squirming cat in one hand and the clipper in the other. Look for non-slip handles and a shape that fits your hand. Safari lists a left-or-right-hand design on its standard trimmer, and a large finger hole on its deluxe one.

How often to trim

The ASPCA says to trim a cat’s nails every two to three weeks. Cornell says only to trim regularly, and notes that regular trims reduce damage from sharp claws. Cornell adds that trims lower the chance of a nail growing into the foot pad, which can cause infection.

Safety tips

• Trim only the tip. Safari says to hold the paw firmly and trim just the tip of the nail. Avoid the quick, the sensitive part of the nail that holds a blood vessel.
• Start early. Cornell says nail care gets easier as your cat gets older, so get kittens used to it.
• Ask your vet for a lesson. Cornell suggests this if you are new to it.
• Keep scratching outlets. The ASPCA suggests a sturdy scratching post at least three feet tall, covered in rough material like sisal. See our guide to the best cat scratching posts.
• Call your vet if a nail looks torn, swollen or infected, or if bleeding doesn’t stop.