You are not alone if you avoid taking your pet to their routine preventive veterinary checkups because they get so stressed. Pets are unfamiliar with a veterinary office’s smells, sounds, and sights, and can become anxious, stressed, aggressive, or fearful. A stressed pet’s response to a vet appointment can make each subsequent visit increasingly difficult. What’s more, a pet’s anxiety can affect their vital signs, raising their heart rate and blood pressure, and making simple procedures, such as nail trims and vaccines, challenging. 

Fortunately, you can work with your pet on some anxiety-reducing techniques to help them cope with a veterinary office visit. To help your pet learn to make a positive association with vet visits, follow our Aberdeen Veterinary Clinic team’s tips.  

Practice handling your pet

Long before your pet’s next vet visit, prepare them for being handled. Doing so can help your pet remain calm before and during their visit, relieving their stress and yours. Because a veterinary visit always begins with a complete nose-to-tail physical exam, you can help your pet feel less stress by desensitizing them to being handled. Practice gently touching their feet, nails, ears, and tail, which are places pets often dislike being touched. Teach your furry pal to associate this touching with good things such as kind words, gentle pats, and tasty treats. Practice for 5 minutes daily, and in a few weeks, you’ll see your pet grow increasingly comfortable with being touched. Your puppy or kitten is young enough to easily learn to accept gentle touching.

Teach your pet to tolerate the carrier and the car

Many pets detest the carrier and the car because they associate them with stress. You can desensitize your pet by teaching them that the carrier and the vehicle lead to good things. 

Start by leaving the cat carrier out in the house all the time. Choose an out-of-the-way spot, such as a bedroom, wipe the carrier with soothing feline pheromones, and place a cozy blanket and treats inside. Eventually, your cat will naturally explore the carrier and learn to see it as a safe, happy place, making trips inside the carrier less stressful. 

Teach your dog that the car is fun by keeping car rides short—even around the block at first—and by helping them make a positive association with the car. Give your pet a special toy they can take on car rides. In addition, if your pet doesn’t get car sick, you can offer them some tasty treats while riding in the car. Another tip for helping your dog learn to love the car is to take them to fun places such as the park or beach, or even to a different neighborhood for a walk. If your dog is afraid of the car, start gradually with just having them get in for a treat and get out for a treat. You can gradually work up to rides in five-minute increments. If your dog is still car-shy, ask our team for additional pet travel-coping mechanism you could try. 

Take a happy visit to the veterinary office  

Create a positive experience for your pet at the vet office by taking them just for a happy visit. Drop by the office, and our team will give your pet treats, praise, and gentle petting, and then you can both go home after this no-stress visit Your pet will learn that the veterinary office can be a happy place. 

Choose a quiet time for your veterinary appointment

A noisy office with unfamiliar scents can be stressful for pets. When you call to set up your furry pal’s visit, ask our client service team if a certain time or day is quieter than others and schedule your pet’s appointment for then. Let the team know that your pet has difficulties coping with vet visits so we can suggest other helpful options such as allowing you to wait with your pet in the car or to perform their exam outside or in a comfort room. 

Stay calm to help your pet stay calm

Keeping your pet calm and stress-free during a veterinary appointment begins with you, so learn to lead by example. Your pet is highly attuned to your emotions and stress level, so use mindfulness techniques to stay calm and grounded. Your pet will be more likely to remain relaxed, and the visit more likely to proceed smoothly. 

Communicate with our veterinarian

When your pet is here for their exam, take this opportunity to talk openly with our veterinarian about your pet’s anxiety and their specific triggers such as having their paws or ears touched. We can often tailor our approach or offer suggestions for how to help your pet stay calm. 

Provide your pet with positive reinforcement

Before, during, and after your pet’s vet visit, offer small, tasty treats to keep their attention on you and to reward them for a job well done. Positive reinforcement can help your pet learn to associate their veterinary exam with good things, which will help your furry pal stay calm during future visits.  

Provide extra support if your pet is extremely anxious 

Sometimes, a pet needs more help to stay calm during a vet exam than training and desensitization techniques can offer such as calming supplements, a compression shirt, or anti-anxiety medication. You can administer your pet’s anti-anxiety medicine before leaving the house to help your furry pal stay calm and relaxed in the car and while in our office. When your pet is calm, they are open to forming a friendly relationship with our team and making a positive association with our facility. Talk to our Aberdeen Veterinary Clinic veterinarian if you feel your pet could benefit from an anti-anxiety medicine prescription. 

Taking your pet to the vet doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By following these tips, you can help your pet feel comfortable and relaxed during their next vet visit. Remember, regular vet visits are crucial for your pet’s health, so don’t let their fear ruin their health. Schedule your pet’s appointment with our Aberdeen Veterinary Clinic team.