Why Do My Dog Clippers Get Hot? (Identify the Problems & Solutions)

Recently, I’ve noticed that the blades of my dog clippers get hot much faster than they used to. It’s not hot enough to damage my dog’s skin, but I wanted to know why it was happening. I thought it was broken at first, but it turned out to be fine.

If you’re like me, you might have had this problem before – your device starts getting hot when you use it for a long time. It turns out that this is pretty common for many devices.

Clipper blades are designed to cut fast, and with all that speed, there is going to be a lot of heat. So, what can you do about it? Well, there are a couple of things you should know.

Why Do My Dog Clippers Get Hot?

When your clipper is getting hot, it is usually due to a few factors. One of the main causes is the blade guide being dry. The blade guide is a metal piece that moves up and down to cut hair. When it is dry, the metal gets hot, and the clipper gets hot.

By using lubricating oil on the blade guide, you can prevent your clippers from getting too hot. If you notice that your clippers are getting too hot, it’s a good idea to stop cutting for a minute and let them cool down before continuing on with the job.

Another reason why they get hot is that they use high-speed rotating blades to cut hair and fur. This causes friction between the blades and the hair, which leads to heat being generated.

When a blade gets hot, it can quit working. This can happen when the blade is too close to another blade or in contact with metal that is too hot. However, this doesn’t happen very often, and the clippers typically start working again once they cool off.

Is It Normal For Dog Clippers To Get Hot?

As much as we love our dogs and want to take care of them, it’s not always easy. And when it comes to grooming, there are a lot of things that can go wrong.

It is normal for dog clippers to get hot. There are a few reasons why this happens. One reason is that the clipper gets too close to the dog’s skin, and the heat from the blade melts the hair follicles.

Another reason is that if you don’t use an oil lubricant on your blades, they will get hot because they don’t have any oil-based lubrication on them.

How To Keep Clippers From Getting Hot? | Fixing Dog Clippers Overheating Issue

You should not just give up on your clippers if they get too hot. There are some tricks that you can use to keep them running smoothly.

1. Keeping The Blade Sharp

When you use clippers on your dog’s fur, it is important to make sure that the blade is not dull or blunt. If it has been used too many times, it might get hot and cause burns. Take care of your dog’s clippers by keeping them sharpened and in good condition, so they don’t overheat when using them on your pet.

2. Clean The Blades Regularly

Another thing you should do is check if the blades are dirty. If they are, then it is time to clean them. There are a few things you should know about cleaning your clipper blades before you start scrubbing away at them.

• First, use a soft-bristled brush and water and not a hard-bristled one.
• Second, use water that is room temperature or cooler as hot water can damage the blade.
• Third, scrub in one direction only as rubbing back and forth can cause damage to the blade’s teeth.
• And lastly, make sure that you dry off your blades with a towel after cleaning them so they don’t rust.

3. Do Not Keep The Clipper Running For A Long Time

Clippers are a great tool for trimming your dog’s hair, but they can also be dangerous if you use them for too long. The heat builds up in the blades and causes them to get hotter and hotter until they burn your dog’s fur. A quick way to keep your clippers from overheating is by turning them off when they are not in use.

If you have any trouble with your clippers, just stop using them for about 5-10 minutes and cool them down before continuing with your grooming session.

This will help the blades cool down and will also prevent unnecessary wear on the blades.

You should do a touch check every five to fifteen minutes and make sure that the blade is cool to the touch. If your clipper gets too hot, stop using them immediately and let them cool down for 10 minutes before continuing.

4. Use A Second Blade

“If your clipper blades get too hot, don’t use them anymore.”

This may sound like an obvious statement, but the truth is that many people still feel the need to use their clippers even though they know this will lead to overheating and damage.

The best way to avoid this issue is by purchasing a new set of blades or switching from metal blades to ceramic ones.

A second blade can be very useful for those who use clippers on a regular basis. Then, when the blades get too hot, simply swap for a cool blade, and continue cutting your dog’s hair.

5. Ceramic Blades Are Better

Another option is to switch over to ceramic blades that are less likely to get too hot. The keyword here is “less likely.” Ceramic blades have steel in them, so they can still get too hot, but ceramic blades stay cooler for a longer period of time compared to steel blades.

So why isn’t everyone using it? For one major reason. Although ceramic blades are more durable and stay sharper longer than steel, they cannot be sharpened once they become dull.

6. Oil & Cooling Spray

If you have a clipper that is getting hot, it is an indication that you need to oil it. And there are certain oils that you can use on a dog clipper. Try using a coolant spray on it before using it for your pet’s grooming needs. You should also ensure that the blades are oiled regularly so that they continue to stay sharp and last longer.

7. Keeping The Speed In Check

Most clippers are made with a single speed, which is not enough to make sure that the clipper stays cool. To avoid overheating, you can use a multi-speed clipper. They have multiple speeds that allow you to change the intensity of the blades quickly, so you can reduce the risk of overheating your pet.

8. Practice, Practice & Practice

Practicing or learning will improve your clipping speed. However, if you don’t have a lot of confidence or practice grooming experience, you will need to learn how to clip quickly.

While learning, it would be best for you to use the slowest speed possible. If you are interested in learning the basics of grooming, you might want to attend grooming schools. Also, having good coat preparation will reduce the amount of time needed for trimming.

9. Coat Preparation

Some dogs have very thick coats that can cause the clippers to overheat. In order to keep clippers from getting hot, you should make sure that the coat you are clipping is freshly washed, dry, and free of all knots and tangles.

This will minimize the friction between the blade and fur, so you’ll be able to work faster and easier. Unprepared coats require a lot more work from the blade and clipper, causing them to heat up faster than they need to.

10. Get New Clippers

If your clipper is overheating or you’ve already had to replace it, the solution might be as simple as getting a new clipper with a brushless motor.

Do All Dog Clippers Get Hot?

Most of them do, especially the newer models. Even if you get a top-shelf clipper like Wahl or Andis, it will happen. They are much faster now, and this can cause the blades to heat up quickly. The older models of clippers had an average speed of 2,000 SPM on high.

The current models of clippers have an average speed of 4,000 SPM. Because of the doubled speed, the blades are now heated twice as fast as they used to be.

When you are choosing a new clipper, look for a clipper with 5 speeds or check out those with low speeds.

If you think of the clipper as a small engine, you will better understand how it functions. When the engine is not kept lubricated, it will seize up and may be quite costly to repair or replace.

However, you can greatly reduce the amount of sharpening that you should be performing by keeping the blades well-lubricated and clean.

How Do You Cool Down Dog Clippers Quickly?

If you’re looking for a quick fix, you can also try spraying the blade with cold water or ice. Dry it off afterward. This will help cool down the blade in a short amount of time. You can also use a damp towel, but be sure not to get it too wet, as this could cause the blade to rust.

With Everything Said and Done

If you are just getting started with grooming, you should be aware of the risks that come with clippers. In addition, you should know what to do when your clippers get hot and how to keep them from overheating.

It is often said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Therefore, keeping your clippers in good condition is important, and also avoid using them for too long without taking a break. Cheers!