Going to the veterinary office can be an intimidating experience in a cat or dog’s life, whether it is their first visit or they’ve learned over time what awaits them at the end of a car ride. However, there are ways, such as using calming treats for dogs and cats, to help your pet relax and teach them that the vet’s office is nothing to fear. It’s high time that you don’t have to use a dog muzzle every time your pooch has to visit the vet. Ready to learn how?
Take A Drive
Whether or not you are going to the animal hospital, some pets find riding in a car scary, and some even get car sick. If you want to have one less stressor when it’s time for vet visits, practice taking your puppy on car rides. Take short rides at first, end at fun destinations where they can run and play, and give your pet special treats or a cat or dog toy that they’ll associate with being in the car. If your pet suffers from car sickness, you can try withholding food before a ride or have them lie down in a crate or carrier where they will feel safe and comfortable.
Visit Before The Visit
One thing that makes the vet’s office intimidating is that it is a new environment filled with unfamiliar people and animal smells. To deal with this problem, you should socialize your pet, and one way to do this is to visit the vet’s office at times when your pet won’t be having an examination or receiving shots. Walk your pal in, let them sniff around, say hello to the vet and some strangers, and munch on some dog treat. Before you know it, your pet will feel right at home.
Play Doctor
If your pet has never had a thorough once-over, a pair of hands in their mouth, ears, and paws may frighten them. Practice examining your pet at home, but make it a pleasant experience. Run a finger over your pet’s gums, then offer them a treat for positive association. Lift one of their ears and look inside, then throw a favorite toy. Feel in between your pet’s paw pads, clip their nails, then give them a tasty morsel. Keep practicing, and soon your pet will learn that being handled is not only perfectly safe but also comes with rewards.
Lead By Example
Pets pick up on our attitudes and behaviors, and if you are feeling anxious before or at a vet visit, your pet is likely to notice and feel anxious, too. Your anxiety tells them that something is wrong and that they should be looking out for danger. Before and at the vet’s office, try to have a calm demeanor. Practice deep breathing, listen to soothing music on the way there, and have a cup of chamomile tea if it will help. Your pet will feel a lot more calm and comfortable if they see that you are calm and comfortable, too. If this doesn’t help, you can administer Fluoxetine for dogs to calm your dog.
Conquer The Waiting Room
Barking dogs, hissing cats, anxious owners, and strange smells, the waiting room can be a very frightening place for a pet. But there are ways to handle it. Before taking your pet inside, always make sure that they’ve had a chance to use the bathroom. A pet who has to “go” may act like an anxious toddler.
If you have a dog, put them on a dog leash and offer them a treat before walking through the door. Once inside, have them sit close by and offer them treats, a chew, or a favorite toy. If you have a cat, it’s best to keep them in a comfortable carrier. If you know that loud, high-pitched greetings set your pet off, ask other pet parents to refrain. Stay calm, and if you notice that things are getting a little hectic, you can always take your pet outside for a short break.
Easygoing Exam
When they call your pet’s name, lead your pal confidently back to the exam room, and offer a treat once inside. When your vet arrives and begins doing their thing, you can keep feeding your pet treats, give them a chew or toy, or offer a gentle touch. Most vets will allow you to stay right next to your pet the entire time. It is also helpful if your pet knows some basic commands, like sit, stay, lie down, and watch me. When it’s time for vaccination shots, ask your pet to lie down, offer them a treat, and then ask them to watch you. Your pet will feel more at ease if their eyes are on you and not on the needle.
3 Tips to Prevent Cat Stress at the Vet
Some cats just hate going for the pet wellness visit. Whether they've had unpleasant experiences at the medical office before or simply don't enjoy a typical examination, when cats stress out about going to the vet, it makes the whole experience more difficult. Of course, your cat may prefer to skip the trip altogether, but regular veterinary care can be critical to the health of your feline friends. You can either use a calming med like Clomicalm or follow a few simple tips to keep your cat calm and have your veterinary visit go off without a hitch.
1. Try a mock visit
If your cat only associates your veterinarian's office with painful procedures, they'll hate going there. However, as Stephanie Belanger, a veterinary technician at KC Cat Clinic in Kansas City, Missouri, explained on DVM360, you can bring your cat to the veterinarian for a mock, "happy" visit with tasty treats like Temptation Cat treats and toys. Schedule this with your veterinarian to make sure it's OK, then bring your cat in to experience the sounds and smells of the clinic without any negative aspects such as vaccines or surgery. Your cat will hopefully not associate the office with pain or negativity next time you two come for actual care.
2. Master car travel
Often, the stress of a veterinary visit is tied to the car ride that brings them there. If your cat struggles with car rides and becomes easily stressed, USA Today has some great advice. Start by finding the right carrier for your cat's size. Not only will the carrier help protect your cat in the case of an accident and offer them comfort in the car, but it will also provide the feeling of safety at the veterinarian's office. Leave the cat carrier out in your home with towels, treats, and toys to let your cat become comfortable with it. Once they're OK with the pet carrier, try a few short, five-minute car rides in the carrier to ensure that they're fine with the ride. Then, you'll both be ready for a calm ride to the vet when the situation arises.
3. Facilitate a friendly relationship between your cat and your vet
Animal Planet explained that the relationship between a veterinarian and a cat is no different than a human patient and their doctor. Ask your veterinarian to take a few minutes to meet your cat if they don't do it already. Being at least somewhat familiar with the vet can help alleviate your cat's stress. Once your cat is calm, the entire appointment will go more smoothly. If they have to stay overnight for a procedure, leave your cat a toy or item from home for added comfort. PetPlus helps its members easily connect with thousands of great veterinarians at a discounted rate.