How to Sharpen Dog Nail Clippers in 5 Steps

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We had a dog that would run a mile before he would let anyone try to trim his nails. If you have a nervous dog, as we had, then keeping his nails short can be a real challenge. Unfortunately, for the sake of your dog’s comfort, clipping dog nails is one grooming task that needs to be done on a regular basis. For that reason, many dog owners choose to do it themselves at home. If you are one of them, then you will be a candidate for learning how to sharpen dog nail clippers yourself.

In this article we address how to go about sharpening dog nail clippers at home in 5 easy steps. Given that you probably won’t have a professional nearby to demonstrate the steps involved, we have also included a YouTube video that can walk you through the task.

Start With Professional Dog Nail Clippers

It goes without saying that, for starters, you need the right kind of dog nail clippers (affiliate link), those that are intended for pet use.

Millers Forge Steel Pet Nail Clipper 743C with Safety Stop Bar Small Medium Dog ((.2.Pack.).)


However, even the best of nail trimmers can lose their sharpness over time. Yes, after considerable use, they can become quite dull. When that happens, nail clipping becomes more and more difficult, and possibly more and more painful for your dog.

Blunt nail trimmers can be a real problem and lead to pulling on the nail instead of neatly cutting it. Dull clippers can even crush nails, causing considerable pain and discomfort for your dog. Using dull or blunt clippers can also make it more difficult to get a clean nail cut, which can lead to jagged edges that might splinter and break.

To trim the nails of a dog effectively, you definitely need sharp clippers to start off with but also clippers that you can keep sharp.

Dog Nail Clippers with Safety Guard – Superior Sharpness – Veterinarian Designed – Suitable for Large Dogs – Stainless Steel Dog Nail Trimmers

So, is bluntness something that you can fix yourself at home? Can you sharpen dog nail clippers yourself instead of taking them to a professional?

The short answer is yes. And we will show you how in the next section.

How to Sharpen Dog Nail Clippers Yourself

When faced with dull clippers, the 2 possible solutions are either sharpening them or replacing them with a new set. Let’s look at the cheaper of the 2 solutions, sharpening the dog nail clippers yourself.

So how exactly do you go about sharpening dog nail clippers? This is a question that is relevant to groomers as well as owners doing their own grooming at home.

Choose a Sharpening Tool Before Starting on the Nail Clippers

There are different tools that you can use to sharpen dog nail clippers. For example, the tools that you can use for the task include those listed below (affiliate links):

Depending on your preference or availability, you can use any of these tools to sharpen your clippers. Most of the time however, a fine grinding stone or a flat sharpening stone will do a satisfactory job.

AccuSharp 4-in-1 Knife & Tool Sharpener, Coarse Tungsten Carbide Sharpening Blade & Ceramic Rod with Retractable Diamond-Tapered Rod for Knives, Fish Hooks & Tools, Orange

Follow 5 Easy Steps to Sharpen Your Dog Nail Clippers

There are many different models of nail clippers but in most cases, when it comes to sharpening blades, the first step is to take the tool apart.

  1. Take the Clippers Apart (optional): If possible, take apart the clippers by removing any screws or bolts. This makes it easier to reach all areas that need sharpening. However, many groomers and dog owners choose to sharpen the blades with the clippers intact.
  2. Clean the Blades: Use a damp cloth to clean any dirt, grime, or nail residue off the blades. Dry thoroughly to avoid rusting.
  3. Use a Sharpening Tool: You can use any one of the tools listed in the previous section such as a sharpening file, or diamond-tapered rod. Slide the sharpener along the blade at a consistent angle (usually 35-40 degrees) a few times on each side.
  4. Check the Sharpness: Run a test by cutting a piece of cardboard or paper. If it cuts smoothly, the blade is sharp. Repeat sharpening if necessary.
  5. Lubricate: Once the blades are sharp, put the clippers back together (if you took them apart) and add a drop of oil to the pivot point for smooth operation.

Video Showing How to Sharpen Dog Nail Clippers

This video demonstrated a sharpening method without taking the clippers apart.

How to sharpen dog nail clippers

In the video demo you can see the use of Millers Dog Nail Clippers (affiliate link). The sharpening technique can be used on both scissor style nail clippers as well as guillotine nail clippers.

As you would have seen, the angle in which the sharpener is held is very important so as not to further dull the blade.

If you are not comfortable sharpening your clippers yourself, then you can take them to a professional groomer.

Replacing Your Dog Nail Clippers

As already discussed, clipping the nails of a dog can be a little tricky. This is because a small mistake can cause you to hit a sensitive nerve or nick too deeply which can cause bleeding. This is where the right tools, in the best condition, come in.

Sharpening may not always be a permanent solution. In other words, clippers, like everything else, do have a lifespan. Also, when clippers become worn out, they can be more difficult to sharpen.

Thus, after a long period of use, your clippers may in fact need to be replaced. One sign that clippers do in fact need replacing is when they wear out along the edges.

Safari Professional Large Nail Trimmer For Dogs

Many people may encounter these types of difficulties, when trying to trim dog nails, because of the type of nail clippers they purchased in the first place.

For example, the fancy looking grinder trimmers are often found to be wanting when it comes to trimming dog nails with ease. Many guillotine-type trimmers are difficult to use and can prove ineffective the moment they become dull. So it pays to watch a good video demo, such as in this article, that can show you how to sharpen guillotine dog nail clippers.

Rather than risk causing injury to your dog by using worn out clippers, you need to sharpen dog nail clippers as described above or start looking around for a new pair. Given how inexpensive dog nail clippers are, you would have to ask yourself whether or not sharpening is worth the trouble.

Fortunately, as mentioned, you can buy top quality dog nail clippers for very little cost.

Pet Nail Clippers for Small Animals – Best Cat Nail Clippers & Claw Trimmer for Home Grooming Kit – Professional Grooming Tool for Tiny Dog Cat Bunny Rabbit Bird Puppy Kitten Ferret – Ebook Guide

We recommend buying trimmers that have a pliers-like appearance with relatively big handles and double cutting edges. These trimmers are not only safe to use, but also stay sharp for a longer period of time and are easier to use, as well as to sharpen if needed.

There are a number of good quality options available on Amazon that present good replacements for your old nail clippers:

BOSHEL Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer – with Safety Guard to Avoid Over-Cutting Nails & Free Nail File – Razor Sharp Blades – Sturdy Non Slip Handles – for Safe, Professional at Home Grooming

But if you already have top quality tools then learning how to sharpen dog nail clippers yourself might be the ticket.

I hope you can now feel a little more confident when sharpening your own nail trimmers. Having sharp rather than dull nail clippers can, in turn, allow you to feel less hesitant when it comes to grooming your dog’s nails yourself.

Key Points In Summary

  • It is important to choose a quality sharpening tool.
  • You can sharpen your dog nail clippers in 5 easy steps.
  • Maintain a consistent angle against the blade while sharpening.
  • Dog nail clippers do have a life span and should be replaced once sharpening becomes more difficult.
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5 thoughts on “How to Sharpen Dog Nail Clippers in 5 Steps”

  1. I’m a beginner, grooming my own dog. She is a toy poodle. This information on how to sharpen dog nail clippers was very helpful

  2. With persistent use, the dog nail scissors get dull, so sharpen the scissors or replace the clippers when it damages the nails instead of actually cutting. With such a large number of kinds of dog nail scissors accessible in the market, every blade requires its own instrument for maintenance. Disassembling the device is the most basic step of sharpening.

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