You want the very best for your pet. Your cuddly companion is a part of your family. Just like you need to visit the doctor, your pets need to have an annual vet trip to ensure they are healthy.
Unfortunately, many pets easily become overwhelmed by trips to their vet’s office. All the sounds and smells can quickly have them feeling uncomfortable. Your fur baby may still feel anxious even in the coziest dog carrier or cat carrier.
Whether you’ve just adopted a new animal friend or have an older pet who hates their annual checkup, these eight tips can help make your next vet visit a little easier on your pet.
1. Have a Meet and Greet
Many pets associate their vet visit with negative memories. Nobody wants to be poked and prodded, your kitten or pup included. They may get aggressive or react poorly if they see a stranger coming at them with a needle. Let them create some positive associations with their vet before their exam.
Take out your dog carrier or cat harness and bring your little angel to the vet for a meet and greet before their visit. Check with your vet’s office to see when they have quieter hours. Vets love pets! They will be happy to meet your little pal and give them a treat and a few cuddles. When it comes time for their annual check-up, the vet won’t be a stranger anymore.
2. Get Them Accustomed to Their Carrier
If your pet has anxiety about car or vet visits, seeing the dog carrier come out of the closet may be triggering. Instead of keeping it tucked away, leave the dog carrier or cat carrier somewhere they can see.
You may not want your dog carrier sitting in the middle of your living room, but you could place it in a cozy closet or the corner of your office. Having their dog carrier or cat carrier be a source of comfort will help soothe them when it’s time to hit the road.
3. Keep Calm
Do your best to remain calm when preparing for a vet visit. This can be particularly challenging if your dog or cat is ill. A calm demeanor will help you stay relaxed even if you are worried about them. The more you feed into fears and anxiety, the more anxious and overwhelmed your pet could become.
Your pets can perceive and feel all of your stress and anxiety. They are extremely in tune with your emotions. It’s how they know to cuddle up and soothe you on a rough day. Do the same for them. By being gentle, using a soft voice, and remaining calm and upbeat, you’ll communicate to your pet that they are safe.
4. Teach Them to Accept Handling
To complete the check-up, your vet must handle your dog or cat. Take the time to teach your pet to accept handling. The better trained your animal is, the easier it will be for the vet to restrain them and check its teeth and limbs.
If you find that even with simple training exercises, your pet becomes aggressive, don’t push. Rescues, in particular, may have trauma that leads to this response. Your vet can recommend behavioral specialists or professional trainers to help your dog become less aggressive and accept handling.
5. Use Treats and Praise
Even getting out the door and to the vet’s office can be challenging if your dog or cat hates the car. Use treats and praise during the journey to help ease them into the experience. Place a few treats in the dog carrier to entice them inside. Tell your cat how amazing she is and pass her some bonito flakes during the ride.
Your vet’s office will probably have treats available, but it doesn’t hurt to bring along some of your pet’s personal favorites. To ensure the treats help tempt good behavior, ensure your pets are hungry before their visit.
6. Pheromone Sprays
The vet’s office is full of animals every day. That means there is a multitude of unfamiliar smells that could cause your pet stress. If you find your pet is particularly anxious to visit the vet or go for a car ride, try a synthetic pheromone spray.
These scents mimic the pheromones dogs, and cats create to soothe themselves. Spray them onto your dog carrier or a comfy towel to help ease your pet’s anxiety.
7. Pressure Wraps
If your dog still feels overwhelmed, you could try a pressure wrap to help calm them. These can be especially helpful for soothing dogs stressed by external stimuli and loud noises, like thunderstorms or fireworks. The wrap will create the feeling of being cuddled or swaddled and apply gentle pressure to your pet’s torso. Introduce your pup to a pressure wrap at home before your vet visit to see if it helps with their anxiety.
8. Anxiety Medications
Some dogs and cats will remain aggressive or anxious no matter how many treats you offer or tricks you try. Talk to your vet about prescribing an anxiety medication to help make their visit a little easier.
