Going to the vets can be challenging for many pets, with the unfamiliar environment and past experiences contributing to pet anxiety. This can make visits stressful for both pets and owners, especially if your pet shows obvious signs of fear or aggression when met with a veterinary appointment.
To help keep your pet calm during vet visits, we’ve put together a few tips to consider before your next appointment.
Leave Plenty of Time for Your Visit
Rushing to get to your appointment can increase stress for both you and your pet, particularly if your pet struggles with car journeys.
By leaving sufficient time in case anything goes wrong, you can make preparation calmer and give your pet enough space to relax outside before entering a busy waiting room.
Positive Reinforcement
Giving treats and praise when your pet is calm at vet visits can encourage good behaviour and result in happier experiences. Instead of associating these visits with fear, treats and praise can create positive associations with appointments, making future appointments less stressful.
Prepare at Home
It can be beneficial to prepare for veterinary appointments at home, to gain confidence and ensure you keep your pet calm during vet visits. Get your pet used to being handled by the vet by gently touching their ears, paws and mouth, then rewarding any good behaviour with treats and praise.
You can also simulate positive veterinary appointments to familiarise your pet with what will happen, providing reassurance during anything they may find difficult.
If your pet is to be taken in a carrier, try introducing this before the appointment, using positive reinforcement when your pet stays calm.
Acclimatise Your Pet to Car Journeys
If your pet only travels by car to veterinary appointments, this can cause negative associations with getting in the car, making vet visits even more difficult.
Try taking your pet out in the car regularly – for days out to the countryside, scenic walks and family visits. This will acclimatise your pet to car journeys and reduce any negative thoughts they have around travelling by car.
Bring a Favourite Toy
Bringing a favourite toy can be a great way to keep your pet calm during vet visits, as these provide a much-needed distraction, allowing your pet to focus their attention on something they enjoy. Familiar scents can also be comforting, so consider bringing a blanket or something else they use regularly to make the veterinary experience calmer.
As with positive reinforcement, a well-loved toy or blanket can result in positive associations and memories, making veterinary appointments feel less negative.
Stay Calm and Provide Reassurance
If your pet becomes anxious before an appointment, it’s best to stay calm and speak in a soothing voice to help lower their anxiety. Pets can pick up on your stress, which can make it more difficult to calm down.
Provide reassurance when they need it to ensure they feel as safe as possible on their way to the vets and in the waiting room, as well as during their appointment.
Ask Your Vet for Advice to Keep Your Pet Calm During Vet Visits
If you’re still finding it difficult to keep your pet calm during vet visits, it can be helpful to speak to your vet for more advice. They can provide further tips specific to your pet, which can help make future appointments calmer.
When booking appointments, make the vet aware that your pet is feeling anxious. In some cases, you may be able to avoid busy waiting rooms and long wait times, which can help reduce anxiety for both you and your pet.
As an alternative, we provide veterinary services such as vaccinations in Jollyes stores nationwide, which can be a great option if your pet struggles with visiting veterinary surgeries. You can find out more on our Pet Care page.
