Provided herein is an illuminating
nail clipper for clipping the nails of an animal such as a dog, cat, bird, or the like which allows for the clipping of an individual nail at the desired length to prevent injury or improper length
cutting for the animal. The device includes a hand-actuated clipping blade used in conjunction with an adjustable in size nail holder which includes a
cutting hole and which allows the nail to be clipped to be firmly held at a particular position relative to the nail
cutting blade. Using an appropriate
diameter aperture of the cutting hole, the animal nail may be inserted in an aperture of size sufficient to permit the nail to penetrate a particular
distance based on the
diameter size of the nail, which is tapered. A
light source disposed on a flexible arm or conduit can be provided to illuminate an animal's nail to make it translucent, allowing the operator to see the capillaries within the nail and thus to avoid cutting to the live portion of the nail. In addition, the invention includes a comfortable, ergonomic grip which allows the handles to rest more comfortably and securely in the operator's hand.