Most pets show signs of some stress during the vet visit. But your pets must have regular vet visits to keep track of their health and wellness.
There are numerous reasons your pet is stressed during the vet visit. Vet visits usually happen only two or three times a year, so during these times, your pet is brought into an unfamiliar place, surrounded by other animals and scents, which will trigger anxiousness in them.
Along with these different factors that cause stress are potentially painful examinations, past bad experiences, and unfamiliar people handling them.
Since vet visits are not optional they can’t be avoided. But as a pet owner, you want to have these trips as stress-free as possible. So, here are 12 tips to make the vet visit stressful for you buddy.
It is always better to get your pets exposed to new surroundings early on. If you are a parent to a puppy or a kitten familiarize them with car rides, new surroundings, and gentle handling of their paws, ears, and mouth. These are little exercises you can provide to your babies so they will get enough exposure to stay calm and stress-free during vet visits.
If you have an older pet, don’t worry it’s never too late to start. You can always train them to accept restrain and examination.
If your pet is okay with touch, you can add massages into daily interactions. During these routines focus on paws, ears, mouth, tail, and belly and sometimes be a little bit more invasive, like adding gentle restraints and squeezing their paws just to make them prepare for the real visitations.
If your pet is uncomfortable with touch, you need to put more effort into training them. You aim to make your pet less sensitive to touch and create a positive association with touch. You can try to pair every touch with a treat. Starting from giving treats at the same time you touch them to giving them to giving treats after touching and examining them as they will be treated in the vet’s office.
Prepare your pet to adjust to the carrier
If you have small pets, cats, or small dogs, they are often taken in carriers to the vet. If they are not accustomed to the carrier, it will be difficult for you. So, it is better to introduce them to carriers early on. Take them in a carrier for a short trip and place them in your home to make them a part of their everyday environment. This way, your pet will not be wary when they need to travel in a carrier.
Schedule Smartly
You know the mood of your pet, so book the appointment accordingly. Choose a time when they are calm and happy. Also, another thing you have to look for is when will be the clinic less busy. This will minimize the noise and commotion which will stress your pet.
Use Calming Product
“Before using any of these following products always consult with your vet!”
There are several products designed to keep your pet calm in a stressful situation.
- Pheromone sprays: These sprays will mimic natural calming chemicals, which will help reduce the anxiety of your pet.
- Calming Treats: There are certain treats designed to make your pet calm. Look for treats with ingredients such as chamomile, valerian root, or L-theanine.
- Thundershirts or weighted blankets: These act as an anxiety wrap. The gentle pressure from these will give your pet a sense of security, particularly for dogs.
Preparing for journey
Same as said for carriers and touch, if your pet dislikes car rides, try desensitizing them to the experience. Start with small trips and give them treats and a ton of praise to make it a positive experience for them.
Try to keep the environment comfortable for them by playing soothing music, and maintaining moderate temperature.
Bring Comfort Items
Even in our case, we will be stress-free when we are surrounded by things we are familiar with. The same goes for your pet, so carry items such as their favorite toy, blanket, or piece of cloth that smell like you. These will help your pet to stay calm during the vet visit.
Reward Good Behaviour
Throughout the post, I have emphasized giving them a treat, because it is a powerful tool. Giving them treats throughout the visit for positive behavior will help your pet to associate positive feelings with the vet visit. This will help in less stressful visits in the future.
You can give them treat after entering the clinic and staying calm, sitting patiently in the waiting area, allowing the vet to approach them freely, cooperating with the examination calmly, and after leaving the clinic to reinforce a positive experience.
Stay Calm Yourself
Pets can “catch” on to their owner’s feelings. If your are feeling anxious then your pet will also catch on to that feeling. So practice staying calm and talking to your pet in a soothing voice.
When you are feeling anxious take a few deep breaths which works wonders in calming down, and then maintain a relaxed posture and positive body language to reassure your pet.
Professional Help for Severe Anxiety
You’ve done all the exercises you can to get your pet to be less anxious and be cooperative during the vet visits, and they remain super anxious. Then it is time to opt for professional help. They can recommend professional training or behavior therapy, which will help your pet to have a stress-free vet visit.
Choose the Right Vet
A pet friendly clinic with compassionate staff can make a significant difference. Your pet needs a vet who can understand them and is patient with them.
Also, look for a clinic that offers different waiting areas for dogs and cats which will also help in reducing anxiety.
Visit the Vet Just for Fun
You can take your pet to the vet without having any appointments for a fun visit.
“Before going there unannounced check whether the clinic will be okay with the casual visitation.”
If your vet gives a green signal in bringing your vet to the clinic, go there let the doc say hi to your pet. Let the pet receive all the available strokes and happy treats. Sit in the lobby for a few minutes to let your pet eat the treats in the clinic’s atmosphere. This way they can associate a familiarity with the clinic and get used to the place.
Plan Post Visit Fun
Finally after all the tiresome examinations for your pet, they should be given with a well-deserved fun time. Pick something they enjoy doing very much, be it a walk in the park, playtime, or a special treat. This is to end the experience on a positive and fun note, which will help in reducing their overall stress.
Final Thoughts
Although vet visits might not rank as your pet’s favorite activity, these strategies can transform the experience into a manageable and even positive part of their routine.
With patience, preparation, and positive reinforcement, your pet can not only stay calm during check-ups but also develop a long-term sense of trust and ease with the process, making every visit smoother and less stressful for years to come.
Remember, keeping your pet calm during vet visits isn’t just about making the experience easier. It also ensures their health and well-being are addressed without unnecessary stress.
A calm pet not only allows the vet to perform thorough exams and treatments but also makes the experience less stressful for you as an owner. This full-circle approach ensures better care for your furry friend while giving you peace of mind during each visit.
Hope you have found value in this post. Have a great day!