Senior pet clinics – importance of nail clipping
It is important for dogs and cats to monitor and maintain the length of their nails throughout their life, but especially as they move through their senior years; after all consistent nail clipping isn’t just cosmetic!
Reduced activity levels
As our pets age, their activity levels reduce. With less active dogs they become more prone to nails getting too long. Similarly, cats who struggle to use a scratch pole or go outside less or rarely go out are more likely to develop problems with the length of their nails
Why are long nails in our pets a problem?
Just like humans long nails in pets can cause significant pain and discomfort. If your pets nails are constantly being pushed against the floor or dragged along the nail is being pushed back into the nail bed, and this will be very painful for them. If this continues for an extended period of time the pets gait will alter and their joints may realign potentially causing osteoarthritis. Long nails may cause your pet to redistribute their weight to help them feel more comfortable; this can make them more susceptible to injury.
Long nails are also more likely to get caught on things and break or tear; this causes lots of pain and may require a procedure to correct it which can put older pets at more risk.
Why should I take my pets to the vets for nail clips?
Some owners may like to trim their own dogs nails, however we recommend coming in to see a vet or nurse. This is because there is a long blood vessel and nerve bundle within the nail called the ‘quick’ which can easily be caught during nail clipping. This causes significant pain and bleeding if it is caught, and is the main reason why we recommend bringing your pet to the practice.
Nail clipping at the vets
Normally nail clips are conducted by one of the nurses as a 15 minute appointment during which time the nurse will also discuss any other concerns you have.
The price for a nail clip with our nurses is £13.50. However, for clients on our Wellness Plan nail clipping is included and is therefore ‘free’ (unless sedation is required).
We recommend regularly checking your dogs; they can be trimmed every 3 months – so on the Wellness Plan that’s an annual saving of £60!
Call us on 01653 618303 to book an appointment with one of our nurses for a nail clip.