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Animal Nails

Animal nails sound exactly like nail art designed with animals or animal prints in mind. These designs can include everything from cute little bunnies to bohemian elephants, so there's something for everyone. Overall, animal nail designs are a fun and creative way to show off your love for animals and add a unique touch to your nail art.
Animal nail designs are flexible in terms of design and color. You can choose a specific animal or even mix up different animals to create unique art. Some popular designs that go well with animal nail art designs include paw prints, scales, stripes, and spots. Animal faces or silhouettes can also be incorporated into the design for a more dramatic effect. You can pair the artwork with glitter or rhinestones for a glam effect or combine it with floral or tribal designs for a more eclectic look. General motifs include paw prints, fangs (like an alligator), claws (like a cat or tiger), feathers, horns/antlers (like a deer), and scales (like dragons). A good color combination for animal nails is one where the base color is similar to the animal's natural habitat—for example, yellowish green for frogs or brownish green for turtles. You can also add splashes of contrasting colors. Metallic colors, such as gold or silver, can also add a stylish touch to animal nail designs.
If you've never tried an animal nail design, now's the perfect time! Whether looking for something cute, cuddly, or edgy and fierce, animal nails can help you get there. We'll share some of the best animal nail designs so you can get inspired!

The Best Animal Nail Art Ideas

The Most Popular Animals for Nail Designs

Panda Nails
Bear Paw Nails
Tortoise Shell Nails
Butterfly Wing Nails
Ladybug Nails
Fish Scale Nails
Dragonfly Nails
Eagle Claw Nails
Bee Nails
Spiderweb Nails
Cat Nail Designs

Bat Nails
Owl Nails
Peacock Feather Nails
Flamingo Nail
 Octopus Nails
Jellyfish Nails
Dolphin Nails
Seahorse Nails
Crab Nails
Lobster Nails
Dog Nail Designs

Animal-Inspired Toe Nail Designs

Turkey Toe Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1212
Turkey Toe Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1212

Easter Bunny Pedicure Design | Easter Nails - NB3786
Easter Bunny Pedicure Design | Easter Nails - NB3786

Easter Pedicure Nail Design with a Bunny | Easter Nails - NB3782
Easter Pedicure Nail Design with a Bunny | Easter Nails - NB3782

Qashqai Nails | Persian | Tribal - NB242
Qashqai Nails | Persian | Tribal - NB242

Tropical Parrots Minimal Toenail Design |Tropical-NB-D-451
Tropical Parrots Minimal Toenail Design |Tropical-NB-D-451

Tropical Parrots Floral Toenail Design |Tropical-NB-D-453
Tropical Parrots Floral Toenail Design |Tropical-NB-D-453

Tropical Parrots Matte Pedicure Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-444
Tropical Parrots Matte Pedicure Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-444

What Nail Designs Go Well With Animal Patterns?

How to Choose the Best Colors for Animal Nails

When it comes to animal nail design, the best are those that complement the animal's natural coloring while also accentuating its unique features. First things first: what kind of animal are you going for? Do you want something that looks like a tiger? A lion? A dog? A cat? For example, if you want to paint a lion or an elephant on your nails, you may want to use shades of orange because they are both animals that live in warm climates. If you want to paint a dog or cat, you could use bright colors like green or blue because these animals have short hair, and it will make their coat look even shinier than it already is. It's also important to consider your animal's color naturally before choosing one for them.

Animal Nail Designs for Long Nails

Honeymoon Pink Shimmer with Accent Flower Nail Design | Wedding-NB-D-598
Honeymoon Pink Shimmer with Accent Flower Nail Design | Wedding-NB-D-598

Fall Teddy Bear
Fall Teddy Bear

Klamaja

Tropical Animal Print Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-231
Tropical Animal Print Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-231

Animal-inspired Haida Gwaii Nails | Canadian | Tribal - NB1852
Animal-inspired Haida Gwaii Nails | Canadian | Tribal - NB1852

Peach Fuzz Ombre French Butterfly Nail Design | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1800
Peach Fuzz Ombre French Butterfly Nail Design | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1800

Peach Fuzz Butterfly Nails with Green V-shaped Tips | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1803
Peach Fuzz Butterfly Nails with Green V-shaped Tips | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1803

Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB753
Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB753

Tips for Animal Nail Designs

Use thin nail art brushes to create intricate details and textures, such as the spots on a leopard pattern or the scales on a snakeskin pattern.

Don't overdo it with animal patterns. Instead, incorporate them into your overall style in a subtle and tasteful way.

Choose colors that complement each other and the animal pattern you are trying to create.

Start with simple designs and gradually move on to more complex ones as you gain experience.

Use reference images to ensure accuracy and attention to detail.

Use glitter or rhinestone embellishments to add dimension and sparkle to your animal nail design.

Animal Nail Designs for Short Nails

Mickey Mouse | Cartoon Nails - NB23
Mickey Mouse | Cartoon Nails - NB23

French Manicure with Silhouette Marine Life Design | Save the Ocean Nails - NB2814
French Manicure with Silhouette Marine Life Design | Save the Ocean Nails - NB2814

Cat in Snow Nails Design | Winter 2025 Nails - NB6624
Cat in Snow Nails Design | Winter 2025 Nails - NB6624

Cute French Nails with Black Cat Head | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5786
Cute French Nails with Black Cat Head | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5786

Simple Flowers Nail Design with Rabbits for Easter | Easter Nails - NB3459
Simple Flowers Nail Design with Rabbits for Easter | Easter Nails - NB3459

Easter Bunny Pedicure Design | Easter Nails - NB3786
Easter Bunny Pedicure Design | Easter Nails - NB3786

Mickey Mouse | Cartoon Nails - NB26
Mickey Mouse | Cartoon Nails - NB26

French Nails with Penguins on a Snowy Day | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3131
French Nails with Penguins on a Snowy Day | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3131

Nail Design and Art / Animal Nails
Black and White Cow Print Pedicure Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4382
Black and White Cow Print Pedicure Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4382

Blue Cow Print Nails Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4381
Blue Cow Print Nails Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4381

Nails with Black and White Cow Print | Animal Print Nails - NB4380
Nails with Black and White Cow Print | Animal Print Nails - NB4380

Brown Nails with Cow Print Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4379
Brown Nails with Cow Print Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4379

Lovely Pink Cow Print Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB4378
Lovely Pink Cow Print Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB4378

Cute Cow Print Nails Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4377
Cute Cow Print Nails Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4377

Blue Nails with Cow Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4376
Blue Nails with Cow Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4376

Cute Black and White Cow Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4375
Cute Black and White Cow Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4375

Polar Animals Nail Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3141
Polar Animals Nail Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3141

Sea Animals Stuck in Plastic | Nail Art | Save the Ocean Nails - NB3097
Sea Animals Stuck in Plastic | Nail Art | Save the Ocean Nails - NB3097

Cute Forest Animals Nail Design | Love the Forest Nails - NB3029
Cute Forest Animals Nail Design | Love the Forest Nails - NB3029

Animals Hit Hard by Climate Change Nail Design | Climate Crisis Nails - NB3019
Animals Hit Hard by Climate Change Nail Design | Climate Crisis Nails - NB3019

Cute Forest Animals Nail Design | Love the Forest Nails - NB2864
Cute Forest Animals Nail Design | Love the Forest Nails - NB2864

Green Forest Nails with Animals Design | Love the Forest Nails - NB2855
Green Forest Nails with Animals Design | Love the Forest Nails - NB2855

Ocean and Sea Animals Blue Nails | Save the Ocean Nails - NB2821
Ocean and Sea Animals Blue Nails | Save the Ocean Nails - NB2821

Coral Reef White Ombre Design with Marine Animals | Save the Ocean Nails - NB2813
Coral Reef White Ombre Design with Marine Animals | Save the Ocean Nails - NB2813

Forest Animals Nestled Among Leaves | Love the Forest Nails - NB2789
Forest Animals Nestled Among Leaves | Love the Forest Nails - NB2789

Ombre French Nails with Marine Animals | Save the Ocean Nails - NB2760
Ombre French Nails with Marine Animals | Save the Ocean Nails - NB2760

Red and Yellow Nails with Black Leopard Spots | Animal Print Nails - NB2584
Red and Yellow Nails with Black Leopard Spots | Animal Print Nails - NB2584

Red and Pink Nails with Leopard Spots | Animal Print Nails - NB2569
Red and Pink Nails with Leopard Spots | Animal Print Nails - NB2569

Red and Black Leopard Print Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB2568
Red and Black Leopard Print Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB2568

Pastel Leopard Print Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB2550
Pastel Leopard Print Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB2550

Tribal Nails with Leopard Print Design | Animal Print Nails - NB2527
Tribal Nails with Leopard Print Design | Animal Print Nails - NB2527

Leopard Print Nails with Roses Accent Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB2526
Leopard Print Nails with Roses Accent Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB2526

Leopard and Roses Ballerina Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB2525
Leopard and Roses Ballerina Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB2525

Short Simple Leopard Print Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB2519
Short Simple Leopard Print Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB2519

Leopard Nails Design with Rhinestones | Animal Print Nails - NB2515
Leopard Nails Design with Rhinestones | Animal Print Nails - NB2515

Animal Print Tropical Nail Art| Tropical-NB-D-237
Animal Print Tropical Nail Art| Tropical-NB-D-237

Dalmatian Print Ombre Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB2003
Dalmatian Print Ombre Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB2003

Dalmatian Dog and Print on Pink Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB1996
Dalmatian Dog and Print on Pink Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB1996

Pink Nails Dalmatian Design | Animal Print Nails - NB1979
Pink Nails Dalmatian Design | Animal Print Nails - NB1979

Pink and White Dalmatian Dog and Print Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB1970
Pink and White Dalmatian Dog and Print Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB1970

Pink Nails with Dalmatian Design | Animal Print Nails - NB1967
Pink Nails with Dalmatian Design | Animal Print Nails - NB1967

Tropical Animal Print Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-231
Tropical Animal Print Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-231

Tropical Flower with Animal Print Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-220
Tropical Flower with Animal Print Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-220

Tropical Animal Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-218
Tropical Animal Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-218

Animal-inspired Haida Gwaii Nails | Canadian | Tribal - NB1852
Animal-inspired Haida Gwaii Nails | Canadian | Tribal - NB1852

FAQs:

Animal nail designs can be suitable for all ages if they are age-appropriate and done safely and hygienically. Some animal nail designs, such as a cartoon or cute animal designs, can be suitable for children and young adults, while more sophisticated designs featuring animal prints or patterns can be appropriate for older adults.
Let Us Know Your Ideas and Suggestions