Best Pet Grooming Clippers

Is pet grooming important?

Regular grooming is important in keeping your pets well-maintained, looking great and feeling healthy. There are many dogs and cat breeds prone to painful matting or skin problems if they are not brushed, trimmed and properly taken care of. Certain long-haired and double-coated breeds, such as Shih Tzus and Pomeranians for dogs and Persians and Maine Coons for cats, greatly benefit from frequent grooming.

While cats don’t need their fur to be trimmed, regular brushing or the use of a de-shedding tool can be useful in avoiding hairballs, keeping hair from shedding around the house and for general appearance and upkeep.

Both cats and dogs’ nails should be clipped regularly so that they sit at a comfortable length for your pets (and to avoid them from trimming their own nails via the new sofa). Not only is it great for your pets’ health, but grooming is also a lovely way to bond with them.

The difference between pet hair clippers and human hair clippers

While human hair clippers and pet hair clippers may look the same, they are built for different purposes and have a lot of differences.

Dog fur is a lot thicker and tougher than human hair, therefore, dog grooming clippers have more powerful blades and a faster motor.

Pet clippers aim to be quieter than human clippers in order to not startle or scare pets who are more sensitive to loud noises. Similarly, cooling elements may be added to pet clippers to avoid overheating since pets can be more sensitive to heat. Because of these considerations, they are usually more expensive than human hair clippers.

The difference between pet hair clippers and pet hair trimmers is that the clippers are used on long hair found around the body and trimmers are more suitable for very short hair found on the paws, ears, muzzle and other areas. Hair clippers can come with different sized blades which can be suitable for close-trimming as well.

Cat and dog nail clippers

Like humans, both cats and dogs can benefit from having their nails trimmed periodically.

You can tell if your cat’s nails are too long when their nails start catching on carpets and rugs or when they are visible, even while your cat is sitting in a resting position. You may also notice that they begin scratching at the furniture more, which is a good indication that they may require a trim.

Dogs, similarly, can benefit from regular nail trimming. If their nails grow too long, they can break, curl into the pad and lead to infection or affect the way your dog walks.

The best way to tackle this is by going slowly, being patient with your pet and making it a pleasurable experience by rewarding them with treats and verbal praise.

You can also prep them a few days beforehand by getting them accustomed to having their paws touched and reinforcing this positively with treats and praise.

When cutting a cat or dog’s nails, be very careful to avoid the quick. The quick is the pink part stemming from the base of the nail where the nerves and blood vessels are. Cut only the white parts of the nail, leaving a few millimetres between this and the quick. It’s always better to be cautious than to accidentally hurt your pet.

Features to look for in a pet hair clipper

Blade material

Pet hair clippers usually come in two materials: stainless steel and ceramic, both with their own pros and cons.

Stainless steel won’t rust when it comes into contact with the moisture in your pet’s coat. They also come in a larger range of blade sizes. However, because it's a good conductor of heat, it will need a blade cooler in the form of an inbuilt fan or cooling oil and you should take short breaks in-between grooming to avoid the clipper from overheating. Blades made of stainless steel tend to get blunt quicker than ceramic blades.

Ceramic blades tend to stay much cooler for longer and remain sharper than stainless steel, making them the more expensive option. They can be more fragile than stainless steel and expensive to replace regularly.

Blade size

Blade sizes usually range from 3-50, with the higher numbers providing the closest shave and the lower numbers leaving more hair on the body. For example, a number 3 would leave about 1.27 cm of hair and a number 30 would leave 0.5mm of hair.

Generally, good blade sizes to use on your dogs include a 15 for the feet and pads, a 10 for the inner ears and belly and a 3 or 4 for the coat. This may vary depending on the breed of your dog and the brand of clippers you buy.

Some sizes may have the letter 'F' after them (aka 7 vs 7F). The ‘F’ feature gives a short, textured effect whereas the 7 will provide a smooth finish.

Motor speed

The motor speed of clippers are measured in strokes per minute (SPM) and the higher the number of strokes, the quicker the motor can move through your pet’s coat. This can be especially useful if your pet has thick, matted fur that has to be removed.

However, if your pet has lighter fur and this isn’t a useful feature, then it’s best to avoid a clipper with a high SPM as this can lead to it overheating quicker.

Many brands offer pet hair clippers with variable speeds to accommodate your pet’s growing coat or for use on multiple different pets.

Battery power

In terms of how your clippers are powered, you have two options: mains-operated or cordless battery-operated. The latter is more versatile as it's easily portable and you are not restricted by the length of the cord. However, battery-life tends to deplete with persistent use and a clipper using a mains connection may be more reliable in the long-run.

It’s useful to consider the battery life of your clippers as it could be annoying to have one shut down on you mid-shave. In addition, paying attention to recharge times can be important depending on how often you’ll be using them.

Noise level

A point of contention for many users may be the noise that pet clippers tend to make which makes them ultimately useless for skittish pets. Clippers on the quieter end can not only be more comfortable for you and your housemates but also for your pet. There are many ‘silent’ dog clippers on the market for anxious dogs to make grooming a smoother proces for them.

Pet grooming kit

If grooming is required regularly for your dog, it may be beneficial to buy a dog grooming kit to save on buying individual products. Kits vary and may include dog hair clippers, dog shampoo, colour coded guide combs, grooming scissors, a pet comb, pet nail clippers, a cleaning brush and lubricating oils. Oils can be applied to the blades to help keep them cooler and sharper for longer.

Comfortable weight and grip

Since you’ll be using this product regularly, it’s a good idea to check the weight and grip of the clippers to see if it’s comfortable and easy to handle. Getting the right fit is essential in avoiding accidents and slips.

You can see the reviews on our website today to help you decide which pet grooming clippers to buy.