Tuggerah Veterinary Clinic - Dog snuggled inside blanket

OUR SERVICES

Wellbeing Treatments

Beyond your pet’s general health checkups and addressing injuries and illness, our wellbeing treatment services cover everything from maintaining their grooming to behavioural and nutritional advice. 

Nail Clipping

Nail clipping or trimming should be a regular part of your pet’s routine care. This is especially important for elderly and indoor pets, while outdoor pets may naturally wear down their nails. Additionally, the need for nail trimming can vary based on factors such as breed, age, exercise level, and the environment in which your pet lives.

Some dogs may benefit from having the tips of their nails trimmed every week or two. However, for most dogs, it will be longer, and you’ll need to decide what’s best by regularly inspecting their nails. If you notice a change in the sound of your dog’s nails on hard floors, that’s a strong indication it’s time for a trim.

Cats also require nail clipping, with the frequency depending on their lifestyle. Indoor-only cats will need more regular trims, whereas outdoor cats may naturally wear down their nails and require less frequent clipping.

What happens if my pet’s nails get too long?

If a pet’s nails are left to grow, they may split, break, or bleed, causing soreness or infection in your pet’s feet and toes. Long nails can get caught and tear, or grow so long that they curl backward into a spiral shape, making walking very painful for dogs—like walking in shoes that are too small. Cats, while able to retract their claws, still need regular nail trims, especially if they don’t get much natural wear and tear.

Uncut nails can curl so far that they pierce the paw pad, leading to infection and debilitating pain. To prevent this, nails should be inspected and trimmed at least once a month. If neglected, the quick can grow out with the nail, making it nearly impossible to trim properly. It’s essential to avoid cutting the quick, as it is rich in nerve endings and extremely painful for your pet. If you accidentally cut into the quick, pressing the nail into a bar of soap will effectively stop the bleeding.

We offer a variety of nail clippers for all pets, from the very small to the very large. Make an appointment today to have your pet’s nails checked. If you prefer to trim them yourself, we can also show you how.

Give your pup the best start

Welcoming a new puppy or kitten to the family is an exciting time, but there’s a lot to consider and stay on top of. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with all the essential services to give your new pup the best start, including microchipping, vaccinations, parasite prevention, worming, and dietary advice. The Tuggerah team is here to guide you through everything your fur baby needs to stay healthy and thrive.

Tuggerah Veterinary Clinic - Golden Retriever Puppy

Supertails

Our clinic partners with Supertails Pet Wellness to offer proactive, preventative pet healthcare. Supertails aims to ease financial pressure by offering a budget-friendly option to help manage pet care costs like vaccinations and preventative care protections. Chat with our team to find out more.