So, Can I Trim My Dog’s Fur with Human Clippers?
Simply put, the answer is no. Human clippers are just not designed with dogs in mind. From the blade down to the motor, human clippers may very well cause your pup more pain and discomfort than necessary.
If you’re trying to save money or just cannot make it to the groomers this month, human clippers will accomplish the goal at hand, but it is undoubtedly a little risky.
If we examine both dog clippers and human clippers side by side, they seem to be quite similar in appearance. However, they are designed entirely differently for many reasons.
Like human clippers, pet clippers are explicitly created around the type of hair they are intended to trim. Unfortunately, not every pair of clippers is suitable for every type and length of hair. The same applies to your pet’s fur.
Here are some of the differences not evident at first glance:
Animals tend to be more skittish and more easily frightened than even the tiniest human client, making the motor a significant difference to note when choosing the right clippers.
Regardless of the brand you choose, the motors used in pet clippers are designed to last much longer without overheating. Pet grooming is no quick task and can be daunting for both your pet and yourself. It can take hours to cut your dog’s hair, and the last thing you need is a heavy, overheated motor burning your hand.
Dog clippers are also much lighter than human clippers because of the motor. This lightweight motor makes for less noise and harsh sounds while cutting.
When considering motor sounds, remember that dogs have very sensitive hearing compared to humans. So human clippers can sound much louder to a dog than they would to us. Depending on your dog’s temperament, the loud sounds of your clippers can startle your pet, resulting in nicks, bleeding, and skin irritation.
Since dogs have extra layers of fur to protect them from the elements, their hair is thicker than most human hair—requiring sharper blades to cut through those layers.
Believe it or not, sharper blades are a necessary safety measure to avoid tangling your pet’s fur or pulling too much of their skin. This allows for a cleaner, smoother cut.
Human clippers tend to have more delicate blades and smaller gaps between the teeth, causing thick fur to get stuck or caught. This is definitely not ideal for any grooming experience and can cause your dog a great deal of discomfort.
A thick-coated breed can break a pair of human clippers as the fine blades get jammed with fur, causing them to stall and burn out. Not only will this be a stressful situation, but it will also mean that you’ll be minus your clippers.
Is it safe to cut dog hair with human clippers?
Generally speaking, Woodnutt says it’s best if you use dog clippers to groom your pooch. “Having said that you can use human hair clippers on a dog if you only need them very occasionally for a light job – for instance, to painlessly remove stubborn burrs in your dog’s tail, ears, or ‘trousers’. If you’re going to be regularly grooming your dog at home, it’s sensible to invest in dog hair clippers – they’ll last longer, be easier to use, be less noisy, and be less painful for your dog.”
When using human clippers, you should be as gentle as possible, and stop should the dog be showing any signs of distress. If possible, use the clippers on the lowest possible setting and take plenty of breaks.
Human clippers may make the job more difficult than is necessary, so it’s not only good for your pet that you invest in a dedicated pair, but it’s likely to cause less stress for you too.
How Do Dog Groomers Select The Clippers?
Dog groomers often receive questions like what kind of pet clippers they use on dogs. In reality, there is no single and straightforward answer to this.
The typical dog groomer possesses a variety of clippers with blade attachments. They will pick and choose the appropriate ones depending on the dog’s texture of hair, size of the pet, length, and sometimes even their nose sensitivity is taken into consideration.
If you start with dog grooming, we recommend you perform the first trimming at a professional center and inquire with the staff on the right tools and techniques to achieve the same at home. If they are also selling the grooming product range at their salon, that will make things even simpler for you.
If you are purchasing on your own, take care to read all the instructions on the manual and ask the sales staff whether this is precisely the tool you would need for the job. Cut dog hair to remove the loose strands and make the coat look healthier and free of tangles and other forms of messiness.
Clippers also must be designed in such a way that they reach the tricky parts of the dog’s body, like the neck and scalp. This will enable you to trim the hair in all regions in an even fashion. Some of them also come with configurations that allow you to adjust the speed and depth of cutting.
Apart from the clipper, a few additional tools are also needed, such as straight or curved scissors and thinning shears. You can also use a pomade spray if your dog’s hair is curly and difficult to keep in a tidy manner.
When you’re trimming the hair from the dog’s head, there are a few steps that need to be followed:
Pro Tip:
Using a clean sponge, apply shaving cream to the required area for uniform application.
Once the shaving is done, wash the dog. They use a hairdryer for around five minutes. To avoid your dog from getting burnt, ensure to apply less heat.
Can you cut dog hair with human Clippers?
There’s nothing better than snuggling up with your dog after a long day… that is, unless your dog stinks!
Dog grooming must be done regularly, not just to make your pup look and smell nice, but also to take care of his hygiene and keep him healthy.
Of course, you can take your dog to a professional groomer for any or all pet grooming services — wash, brush, teeth cleaning, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and more.
But all this grooming needs to be done regularly to keep your good boy clean and paying for all those services on a regular basis not only cleans up your dog, but cleans out your wallet.
If you’re interested in grooming your dog at home, you’ll need to understand some basics of dog grooming and obtain some special equipment.
This article will explain everything you need to know about human clippers vs dog clippers and home grooming for dogs.