All cat parents know that cats need regular grooming to keep them clean and tidy and most importantly, ensure they are healthy. While there are several important parts of cat grooming, one stands out in particular: nail care.
Taking care of your cat’s nails and trimming them regularly is important to prevent ingrown nails, which can affect your cat’s ability to move.
However, cat owners may be hesitant about this process, especially if they don’t know which tool to use. There’s also a lingering question for many cat parents, especially those who also own dogs: Can you use dog nail clippers on cats?
The answer to this question is technical yes, you can use dog nail clippers on cats, but some versions are better than others for this task.
Let’s dig deeper into this topic, explaining the different types of pet nail clippers, why nail clipping is so important to cats, and how to choose the right clippers for your cat!
Can You Use Dog Nail Clippers on Cats? Is it Safe?
You can use almost any type of dog nail clipper on a cat, but you must carefully consider the options to make the clipping process smooth and avoid accidents.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Scissor-style dog nail clippers are your best choice because they work the same as cat nail clippers; the only difference is that kittens can get this product in true scissor shape. However, these should allow you to do a decent job as long as you carefully trim your cat’s quick spots.
- Grinder trimmers are as efficient as they are easy to use, and they don’t have any blades. However, they are often noisy, which can scare or make some cats nervous.
- Guillotine-style dog nail clippers you have to put your pet’s claw through the guillotine hole, which may not be suitable for cats. You may lose control of the cutting area and accidentally cut too fast.
If you live in households with multiple pets, each should have their own pair of nail clippers. However, if that’s something you can’t currently afford, you can use dog nail clippers on cats, but with caution.
Always disinfect clippers before using them on another pet, and repeat the same process for each clipping session.
The 3 Different Types of Pet Nail Clippers
There are three different types of pet nail clippers that you can use for your furry companion.
1. Scissor-Style Clippers
These pet nail clippers have a scissor-like design, with a tension spring that requires you to use your hand force to operate it. It’s great for dogs because it can get the job done quickly and efficiently without causing pain, especially if your dog’s nails are unusually thick.
When it comes to scissor-style clippers for cats, they can have a similar design to dogs or literally look like human scissors, making them easier to handle.
2. Guillotine-Style Clippers
These pet nail clippers have a guillotine design that requires you to slide the pet’s nail through to clip it. They also usually work on a tension spring principle that requires you to use the force of your hand to clip the claw.
This type of nail clipper usually works better for dogs than cats, as cats tend to have more sensitive nails; when cutting them, you have to be careful not to clip the quick area.
3. Grinder Trimmers
These electric devices are completely safe because instead of using blades, they rely on small grinders that cut the nails. These trimmers are great but can take time to get used to.
It will also produce a lot of noise and vibration which can be annoying, especially for small dogs and cats.
Why is it Important to Trim Your Cat’s Nails?
Unlike outdoor and stray cats who get their nails clipped during activities like tree climbing and hunting for food, indoor cats usually don’t have these opportunities. Since cat nails are constantly growing, you need to help your cat with proper nail care. Otherwise, your cat’s nails can grow, leading to discomfort, pain, and possible infections. Cats with overgrown nails may also experience mobility problems; they may get stuck in carpets or similar surfaces or be unable to retract their claws.
If your cat loves scratching, scratching posts can come in handy to keep the claws at the right length. However, some cats may also try to scratch your furniture and other possessions, which is why keeping their nails short can prevent or minimize damage done to your home.
Final Thoughts
You can use dog nail clippers on cats, as some types are identical to those for cats. Just be aware that some cats may be afraid of grinder trimmers because of their noise and vibration, and remember to be careful if you use guillotine-style nail clippers on your cat.
If you have multiple pets, it’s best to have a pair of clippers for each pet to promote healthy nail trimming. But if you have no other options, any kind will be okay—as long as you get your cat’s approval, of course!
Featured Image Credit: GaiBru Photo, Shutterstock
