How Can You Help Decrease Your Pet’s Stress at the Vet?

Visiting the doctor can be stress-inducing for anyone, dogs and cats included.  Here are some tips that can help decrease your pet’s stress levels.

Dogs:

• Happy visits

If, every time you went somewhere, you were poked and prodded, you would associate that place with discomfort.  Your dogs are the same!  Bringing your dog in for a weight check, snuggles, and treats can be a wonderful way to have them associate the clinic and staff with pleasant things. 

• Toys

Some pets have special “Emotional support” stuffies, balls, or other toys.  Please feel free to bring those along to help comfort your pet!  They are welcome to hold them in their mouths for everything but oral vaccinations.

Cats:

• Pheromones

Pheromone collars and sprays can help calm your kitty for both the ride to the clinic as well as the for the examination itself.  If using a pheromone collar, apply it at least 24 hours before the visit.  If using pheromone spray, apply it to a towel and drape the towel over the carrier for the car ride and while waiting to see your veterinarian.  This towel can also be used while handling your cat for the examination, vaccines, and blood draws to help keep them calm.

Dogs and Cats:

• Treats

Some pets are not treat motivated at all, but if they enjoy treats, bringing their favorite high value treat can be very helpful!  We have lots of treat options for dogs and cats in the clinic, but if you know your pet has specific tastes, feel free to bring your own.  We use treats to help your pet feel comfortable with us, and to distract them from pokes when possible. 

• Distance

Pets can pick up on their owners’ anxiety!  Some dogs and cats will be more nervous when you are present, and taking them to a different room so they are not focusing on you can be in their best interest.  You can see in the video that this puppy is relaxed and calm for her nail trim in our treatment area while she is easily distracted with cheese.  We do understand that some pets do get worse when removed from their owners.  If that is something we see, we reunite immediately, but those do tend to be an exception.

• Desensitization

If your pet is used to handling, they will be much less concerned as we perform our examination.  Regularly feeling their ears, teeth, and toes will make them much more accustomed to our exam procedures. 

• Medication

While it isn’t the first option we use, some pets need some extra help to keep their stress levels under control.  We have many medication options to help prevent pets from escalating anxiety.  You can discuss these options at your pet’s next visit!