What does the cryptic crossword clue "Before shocking treatment clobber animals (7)" mean?

The definition is "animals". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). KIT (synonym="gear, ‘clobber’") + TENS (synonym="Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ‘shocking treatment’") = KITTENS; definition: "animals" The answer is KITTENS.

Before shocking treatment clobber animals (7)

Guardian Cryptic #29155 | 7 Across | 2023-08-22 flower

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