Can I Use Human Clippers on a Dog?

CAN I USE HUMAN CLIPPERS ON DOGS?

Are you fond of grooming your hair? How about your pet’s hair? If you are keen enough, you must carefully consider the tools you plan to use in grooming both human and animal hair. Most of us have no idea if we can use human clippers on dogs or not. Sometimes we assume we can cut dog hair with human clippers just because it’s still hair, and we are all animals. By reading this article, we will understand animal clippers versus human clippers, which one is better to use on dogs, and all your doubts will be cleared once and for all.

WHAT ARE HUMAN CLIPPERS USED FOR?

A human clipper machine is a specialized tool to cut human head hair. It works on the same principle as scissors but is surely different from them. A hair clipper machine comprises a pair of sharpened comb-like blades in close contact, one above the other. They move mechanically very fast to cut hair.

CAN HUMAN CLIPPERS BE USED ON DOGS?

So we are on the top question. Can you shave a dog with human clippers? Well, the answer to the question is no. Human hair clippers can cut your dog’s fur just as they can human hair, but it is certainly risky.
Human hair clippers are not designed with the same safety measures as pet clippers, making them potentially dangerous when clipping our furry friends. Human hair clippers on dogs are never a safe option for in-depth grooming or trims that come close to touching their skin.

MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DOG CLIPPERS VS HUMAN CLIPPERS

At a glance, dog and human clippers may look similar, but they have some key differences. There are still noticeable differences that are important to note before using them. Let’s go on and find out if dog clippers are different from human clippers.

1. HUMAN HAIR VS PET’S FUR

You may believe that all hair is created equal, but pet hair is quite different than ours. Dogs’ fur keeps them safe and warm, giving their fur many different qualities that our hair does not possess. First, human hair is much thinner than dog fur. Dog fur tends to be generally thick no matter the breed and covers their entire body.
Dogs also have different textures of fur all over their body versus the same texture and style that our hair has on our heads. Dogs often have a layer of thick fur close to the skin that helps to protect them against the elements, whereas their outer fur is closer to the texture of their whiskers.
Dog fur is created with protection in mind and is made to help them regulate temperature easily. Their fur also has a coating around the hair follicle that helps to protect them against the weather better, and a quality human hair does not have. This should be a reason enough to cut dog hair with clippers that are meant for dog hair.

2. DIFFERENT TYPES OF BLADES

Clipper blades for human hair have finer teeth. Many clippers come with a standard blade in size No. 000, which clips hair 0.2 millimeters — 0.008 inches — away from the scalp. Such a fine blade would get caught up in a pet’s hair, pulling it. Many pet clippers come with a No. 10 blade, which leaves hair 1/16 inch from the pet’s body. Hair and pet clipper blades come in fine or skip tooth varieties.
For pets, skip tooth blades have wider teeth for cutting through mats without pulling the fur. Skip tooth blades for humans texturize the hair. Fine tooth blades leave a smooth texture on pets when finishing the coat and have the letter F after the blade size embossed on the blade. Human clipper fine tooth blades do not indicate the letter F on the blade; hence one cannot use regular clippers on a dog.

3. CLIPPER SPEED

Yet we find a difference in clipper speed on animal clippers vs. human clippers. Pet clippers accommodate different types of hair with variable-speed motors and interchangeable blades. High speeds up to 5,000 strokes per minute give a smooth sheen for finishing the cut. Lower speeds allow the groomer to work on tender areas such as the face and feet while creating less heat and vibration. A haircut with human clippers can take just a few minutes when executed by an experienced barber. The clippers are then shut off to cool down before the next customer takes the chair. Clipping a pet’s entire body can be much longer, so pet clippers are designed for longer use without overheating or getting hot in the groomer’s hand. The motors have baffles to help reduce both vibration and sound. This reduces the fear factor for skittish dogs and keeps the groomer’s hand from tiring as easily. This reveals why you should not use human clippers on dogs.

WHAT KIND OF CLIPPERS TO USE IN GROOMING YOUR DOG

Different clipper brands use different terms, but in general, there are four clipper levels > light use, medium duty, heavy-duty, and super duty. To choose the right level of clipper for your dog, you need to match them to your dog’s coat type and condition and the areas of the body you want to clip.
When a dog is young, they start with a puppy coat, typically lighter, thinner, and shorter than their adult coat (depending on their breed). Their adult coat may not start to come through until they are 3 to 9 months old. Until they start to get their adult coat, most trimmers can handle full body clipping for the easy, thin puppy coat. When their adult coat comes through, you will likely need to upgrade to a full clipper to match their coat type.
The type of clippers you need largely depends on how much grooming your dog needs. For example, a pair of light, inexpensive clippers will suffice if they need the occasional trim. On the other hand, if your dog needs regular, extensive grooming or wants to enter a show, you may require a pair of professional hair clippers with different blades and attachments for different styles. It could be as regular as you trim your beard but remember you cannot use your beard trimmer on your dog.

CONCLUSION

Shaving your dog can be a stressful experience for you and them. By carefully choosing the right pair of clippers and becoming familiar with the shaving process, you can reduce some of that stress and make it a more enjoyable experience. Be careful never to use human clippers on your dog to avoid hurting their skin or breaking your clippers. Below are the frequently asked questions and their answers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS

QUESTION: Is there any reason I can’t use electric dog clippers to cut my hair?

ANSWER: Not really. It will certainly work, especially if you want to strip down to a buzz in preparation for a razor shave, but other than that? You are probably looking at painful nicks and hair pulling.
QUESTION: CAN HUMAN HAIR CLIPPERS BE USED TO TRIM MINIATURE SCHNAUZER OR OTHER SMALL DOGS?ANSWER: No. They don’t have the power nor the proper blades. Also, their blade numbering system is much different than the blade numbering system with dog blades.
QUESTION: CAN I USE MY BEARD TRIMMER TO TRIM THE FINE HAIR ON MY DOG’S BELLY? IT’S HAIR, NOT FUR.
ANSWER: Sure, I don’t see why not. Just clean it thoroughly before and after usage, so there is no chance of germs causing any problems. The clippers they use to shave pets having surgery at the veterinarian’s clinic use the same clippers they sell in stores to shave beards.