"One of the Hardest Things I Have to Do in the Clinic": A Survey of Veterinary Team Members' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Nail Clipping.

ABSTRACT: Nail clipping can cause fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in dogs and cats and possibly long-term aversion to veterinary care. We conducted an anonymous, online, mixed-methods survey to characterise the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Australian veterinary nurses, technicians, and other veterinary staff regarding nail clipping in dogs and cats. Among 242 valid responses, 71.9% (n = 174/242) performed nail clipping multiple times per week. Dogs (72.4%, n = 165/228) and cats (59%, n = 134/227) frequently displayed FAS (score > 2/5) during nail clipping. Most respondents (79.8%, n = 193/242) reported being injured while performing nail clipping. Respondents reporting a negative attitude towards nail clipping were 5.5 times (95% CI = 1.7-17.8) more likely to re

SUBMITTER: Chen A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12945167 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature