If you’re trying to decide between dog nail clippers vs grinders, you’ll want to keep reading. While it’s true that cutting your dog’s nails is low on the list of the most fun things to do with your dog, it has to be done. But if you’ve got the right equipment that works well for you and your pup, it doesn’t have to be so bad.
Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is important for their overall health. Nails that are too long can be painful for your dog, so it’s vital to keep them in good shape. While you can always book a visit to a professional groomer for regular maintenance, those costs can add up quickly.
It can be more cost-effective to invest in a pair of the best dog nail clippers or best nail grinders to have at home. But which one is best? In this feature, we get into all the ins and outs of both. We also asked our in-house vet, Dr Rebecca MacMillan, to weigh in with her advice on each type.
Should I use dog nail clippers?
Using dog nail clippers is by far the most common method for trimming your dog’s claws. They’re easy-to-use, cheap, and convenient, and they’re a great way of ensuring that your pooch lives unburdened by unruly claws.
As well as being easy to pick up at the pet store or even supermarket, dog nail clippers offer a number of other advantages. Nervous dogs who might be frightened by loud nail grinders will often fare better with the silence of a nail clipper, while the process is usually over pretty quickly.
However, there are also plenty of disadvantages to think about too. With nail clippers, you’ll be left with rough edges to the nail, which can be scratchy on surfaces and your skin.
Dr. MacMillan also adds, "The other disadvantage of clippers is that it is easier to accidentally cut your dog’s quick, especially if you are inexperienced. The quick is a sensitive area, which bleeds when you cut the claw too short."
If you are considering using a nail clipper, read our guide on how to clip a dog's nails for tips and tricks.
Should I use a dog nail grinder?
If you’re looking for an alternative to nail clippers, choosing a nail grinder is an excellent choice. Although generally more expensive than nail clippers, they offer several advantages that may be worth the extra bucks.
You’ll be rewarded with much smoother nails after using a grinder, which can be kinder on surfaces and skin. It’s also much easier to be precise or control the grinder when trimming thick and black nails.
"Grinders tend to be easier for novice pet owners to use. There is a lower risk of hitting the quick because you are grinding off small amounts of claw gradually," says Dr. MacMillan.
Using nail grinders is a much slower process than with nail clippers, so you’ll need to set plenty of time aside. You’ll also want to make sure any fur around the paws is trimmed back to ensure it doesn’t get trapped in the grinder and cause pain for your dog.
To avoid running out of power in the middle of the session, make sure the grinder’s battery is fully charged before you get to work.
Nervous dogs might find the noise and vibration caused by a nail grinder to be intimidating. It's worth starting your dog off gently to help an anxious dog. Introduce the nail grinder to the dog for a few days before you actually start using it to get them used to the sound and vibrations, and then start with just one nail at a time, with plenty of the best dog treats getting dolled out in between.
Dog nail clippers vs grinders
There’s no doubt that dog nail clippers are much cheaper than dog nail grinders. However, you shouldn’t necessarily confuse cheapness with good value.
If your dog prefers nail grinders, and they do a better job, then the extra spend will be worth it in the long run. If you’re unsure about which to start with, then it would make sense to start with the cheaper option and try that first.
Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer to whether dog nail clippers or dog nail grinders are best.
Each dog is different, and there are pros and cons to using each. Nail clippers are arguably the most convenient, and they are certainly the cheapest. Nail grinders have their own advantages, though, especially for dogs with thick or black claws.
Whichever you choose to use, allowing your dog to get used to the process slowly will lead to a much calmer experience and keep them happy, healthy, and padding around for many years.
Read next: How to use guillotine nail clippers
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2009. She enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation) from Nottingham Trent University in 2021.
She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles since 2009.
She writes on various feline and canine topics for the Veterinary Content Company and a freelance basis, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Megan Milstead.
Last updated in June 2025.
