The 7 Best Animal Handling Gloves
Updated by · How we research
From grooming gloves to elbow gauntlets, seven bite- and scratch-resistant pairs for cats, dogs, birds and reptiles. The Rapicca 16-Inch Double Leather leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
No glove is truly bite proof: even thick leather only reduces how bad a bite or scratch gets. Animal handling gloves are gauntlets that shield your hands and forearms from claws, beaks and teeth. Vets, groomers, shelter staff, wildlife rescuers and pet owners wear them for nail trims, carrier transfers and feral cats.
Editor's Notes
October 15, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
One of the old picks, the Kim Yuan, turned out to be a fireplace and grill glove. The WingOfFly, Dan Wild and Defences gloves can't be bought anymore, and the Suse's Kinder Falconer didn't turn up in any current listing. We also let the TiroTechs go, because its listing has grown vague and the Cooljob W80 covers the same budget role with better-documented stitching and linings.
The Rapicca 16-Inch Double Leather and the PetFusion Multi-Purpose stay. We fixed two things in our old text: the Rapicca has Kevlar stitching and a cotton lining, not a Kevlar lining, and the PetFusion is a scratch and grooming glove that its maker says is not bite proof. New picks cover the elbow-length job (the WZQH 23.6-Inch and the AOWPFVV 23.6-Inch), small hands (the Vclpower 16-Inch Size M) and birds (the YBB 23.6-Inch).
One thing every serious maker agrees on: no glove is bite proof. These reduce how bad a bite or scratch gets. We stopped at seven because the rest were copies of these designs or had too little behind them. Readers often ask about Humaniac gloves, which are sold by an animal-control supplier rather than through the links on this page, so you'll find the Duty, Gauntlet and Critter models below.
February 24, 2021:
Any time you are working with unpredictable animals, you should take the proper precautions, one of which is wearing protective gear like these animal handling gloves. The bigger and stronger the animal, or the more unpredictable, the more protective you need your gloves to be.
Oftentimes people dealing with reptiles that have a tendency to try and crawl up their arms will need a pair that offers full coverage, such as the WingOfFly Thickened and Dan Wild. That being said, the former are rugged enough to resist punctures from cat and dog bites too. However, if you are going to be handling animals with very strong bites or really sharp teeth, you will be better off with a pair that features Kevlar lining, like the Rapicca Bite Proof, even if the cuff isn't as long.
Those who are more worried about claw scratches than bites can look to the PetFusion Multipurpose or Suse's Kinder Falconer. Neither of these are overly thick, which means they offer a bit more dexterity than others. However, the downside is there is the potential of them being punctured if there is enough force behind the tooth or claw. The PetFusion Multipurpose are probably the best choice for groomers as they are also water resistant.
December 11, 2018:
People work with a number of different kinds of animals. As such, gloves made for handling them come in a variety of lengths and can be crafted from many materials. We did our best to include options to work with everything from predatory birds to feral cats to snakes. Every item on our list has been thoroughly vetted to ensure they provide a high level of protection.
Special Honors
Duty Animal Handling Gloves by Humaniac Humaniac's Duty glove is a form-fitting everyday glove for animal-control and shelter staff who need to feel what they're doing. It's top-grain leather over a cut-resistant Spectra lining, and it comes in six sizes from extra small to double extra large, which few handling gloves offer. Its maker calls it bite and scratch resistant, not proof. It costs about $50. animal-care.com
Animal Handling Gauntlet Gloves by Humaniac Humaniac's gauntlet is an all-purpose pro glove: elk hide hands and cowhide gauntlets, fully lined with Kevlar, in an 18-inch red or a 21- to 23-inch brown version, for about $120 to $126. The same line includes the elbow-length Rabies glove, about $96, and the heavily padded Maxima, about $216, built to resist crushing dog bites at the cost of dexterity. animal-care.com
Critter Gloves by Humaniac Made for cats, birds and small mammals, where dexterity matters most, the Critter glove pairs a Kevlar-lined elk hide hand with a 14-inch Kevlar-lined synthetic gauntlet that reaches past the elbow. It's sold as touch-screen compatible and comes in small to extra large, for about $122. animal-care.com
No Glove Is Bite Proof
The makers who sell to animal-control officers say otherwise.
Plenty of listings call these gloves bite proof. The makers who sell to animal-control officers say otherwise. Humane Innovations states plainly that no glove is bite proof and that gloves only reduce the severity of bites and scratches, and it doesn't warranty gloves against animal damage (Humane Innovations). Humaniac's supplier says the same about its whole line (Animal Care Equipment).
You may see EN 388 or CE marks printed on a cuff. EN 388 is a European standard for work gloves that rates abrasion, blade cut, tear and puncture from a pointed probe. It has no bite test, so the marks say nothing about jaws (BSI, Safetyware). None of the makers here publishes test levels for its gloves.
Even when teeth don't get through, a strong bite crushes. Rapicca itself says large aggressive dogs call for a bite sleeve over its glove, and pro suppliers sell padded crush-resistant gloves for dog work. A glove also isn't a substitute for good restraint: a towel, a carrier or a catch pole, and a calm approach, prevent more bites than leather does.
Length, Leather And Fit
Length decides what's covered. A 16-inch glove protects the hand, wrist and most of the forearm, which suits nail trims and carrier transfers. Gloves of 22 to 24 inches reach the elbow or beyond, which helps with reptiles that climb, birds that flap and cats that try to go up your arm. A strap or snug cuff keeps a long glove from sliding off.
Most affordable handling gloves are split cowhide, doubled where bites land, with Kevlar thread at the seams (Rapicca). Kevlar thread isn't the same as a Kevlar lining. Professional gloves, like Humaniac's, put a Kevlar layer under elk hide, which keeps them thinner and more flexible, and they cost several times as much.
Fit is the hidden trade-off. Most leather handling gloves are cut roomy so they go on fast, with palms of 5.1 to 5.7 inches across. That's protective but clumsy, and a glove that's too big makes you grip harder and handle the animal roughly. If your hands are small, pick a glove sold in a medium, or a pro brand sold in sizes from extra small up.
Matching The Glove To The Animal
Cats, rabbits, ferrets and small birds mostly scratch, nip and twist, so dexterity matters as much as thickness. A lighter glove lets you hold them gently, and a scratch glove is enough for a tolerant pet. Feral and frightened cats, raccoons and other wildlife call for thick leather with long sleeves. Dogs are the hardest case: a bite from a large dog can bruise through any glove here, so pros add a bite sleeve or a crush-rated glove.
Reptiles can carry Salmonella germs even when they look healthy, so wash your hands after handling them, glove or not (CDC). Cat scratch disease, the most common Bartonella infection in the U.S., comes from bacteria that cats can pick up from fleas, so wash any scratch promptly (CDC).
Let leather gloves air-dry away from heat after cleaning, since heat stiffens and cracks hide. Synthetic gloves like the PetFusion can go in the washer. Retire any glove once teeth have gone through it. The heat ratings in many listings are about welding and grilling, not animals. We found no recalls for any brand on this list in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's database.
How we researched this
We compared more than 30 animal handling glove listings and screened 15 in detail, read makers' specifications and the product pages of professional suppliers Humaniac and Humane Innovations, looked at what the EN 388 glove standard does and doesn't measure, analyzed owner feedback patterns, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We found no independent bite test of any of these gloves.
Frequently asked questions
Are any animal handling gloves bite proof?
No. Even the professional makers say their gloves are bite and scratch resistant, not proof. Good gloves reduce how deep a bite goes, but a strong bite can still bruise or puncture.
What gloves are best for dog bites?
Thick, long leather gloves help with small and medium dogs. For large or aggressive dogs, makers recommend adding a bite sleeve or using a padded crush-resistant pro glove, such as Humaniac's Maxima.
What does EN 388 on a glove mean?
It's a European work-glove standard for abrasion, cut, tear and puncture. It doesn't include a bite test, so it doesn't tell you how a glove handles teeth.
Should I wear gloves to handle reptiles?
Gloves help with biting or clawing species, but they don't prevent Salmonella. Wash your hands after handling reptiles or their gear, with or without gloves.
Can I wash animal handling gloves?
Synthetic gloves like the PetFusion are machine washable. Clean leather gloves by hand and let them air-dry away from heat.
Where can I buy Humaniac gloves?
Humaniac gloves, including the Duty, Gauntlet and Critter models, are sold through Animal Care Equipment and Services at animal-care.com.
