Veterinary visits can be stressful for your pet and you. Many pets have experienced pain, fear, or anxiety at the vet’s office, which can cause them to expect that future visits will be the same. Our Cobb & Co Veterinary Clinic team wants to help your pet forget the past and have a positive new outlook regarding veterinary exams. To reduce your pet’s vet visit stress and help them look forward to veterinary visits, follow our tips.

Veterinary visit stressors

Unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells, people, and other pets can cause your furry pal to feel anxious or uncomfortable. However, veterinary visit stress typically develops in response to previous negative experiences such as a painful needle stick or forceful restraint. Most well-socialized puppies and kittens are initially happy to see the vet but may become wary about entering the building over time. 

Without intervention, vet visit stress often escalates and may cause some pets to become defensively aggressive. Emotional distress harms your furry pal’s well-being and can also lead to physical consequences—when pets get upset at the vet, pet owners are less likely to bring them in for necessary care. Chronic or extreme stress can also lead to physical health issues or behavioral problems that trickle over into the pet’s home life. As veterinary professionals, we are responsible for caring for your pet entirely, including their physical, behavioral, emotional, and mental health, which starts with reducing stress during veterinary visits.

Preparing for your pet’s visit

Stress-free veterinary visits start at home. In preparation for your pet’s upcoming vet visit, follow these tips:

  • Acclimate cats to the carrier — Most cats dislike leaving their homes, and the carrier often signals a trip to the vet, triggering anxiety and stress. Leaving the carrier out in the open and allowing your cat to explore, rest, and discover treats and toys inside can create a positive association and make future vet trips more pleasant.
  • Practice car rides — Take pets on short car trips, provide treats, then return home. This helps your pet associate the car with positive experiences and helps them understand that car rides can be part of a typical day.
  • Try happy visits — Schedule occasional trips to our veterinary office to visit and get treats from the team. “Happy visits” provide positive experiences that can help diminish old negative veterinary experiences.
  • Come hungry — Do not give your pet breakfast the morning of their veterinary visit. Instead, bring your pet’s favorite treats and provide them throughout the visit.

During your pet’s visit

After spending a few weeks preparing your pet for their upcoming vet visit, plan how you will help your furry pal cope while at our veterinary clinic. To help your pet stay relaxed during their visit, follow these tips:

  • Stay calm — Pets are highly attuned to their owners’ emotions, so staying calm and positive can help reduce your furry pal’s stress. Speak to your pet normally and avoid overly reassuring them during a vet visit.
  • Try calming products — Spray pheromones inside your pet’s carrier or on a bandana around their neck to help relieve their anxiety. Calming supplements and anxiety wraps can also help some pets.
  • Bring comfort items — Bringing your pet’s favorite toy, blanket, or T-shirt to the vet can provide security with familiar smells. 
  • Reward calm behavior — Providing copious treats throughout their veterinary visit can help your pet make a positive association with restraint, procedures, and the clinic.

Our veterinary team’s role in reducing stress

Our veterinary team is happy to work with you to reduce your pet’s visit stress. We can do the following to help your pet cope:

  • Considerate scheduling — We schedule appointments to reduce crowding and noise in the clinic, helping pets stay more relaxed in the waiting area. We can also put pets into exam rooms as soon as possible or allow them to wait with you in your vehicle if that helps reduce your furry pal’s stress level.
  • Communication — Our team works hard to understand what makes your pet feel comfortable. Let us know what we can do to help, and we’ll do our best to make the necessary accommodations.
  • Low-stress handling techniques — Our team is specially trained to use low-stress handling techniques, including gentle restraint and a considerate approach. We never hold pets down against their will or force them to accept procedures they find stressful.  
  • Pre-visit pharmaceuticals — Pets who experience significant stress associated with veterinary visits can benefit from pre-visit pharmaceuticals, such as sedatives or anti-anxiety medications. Ask our team if these medications are appropriate for your four-legged friend.

Reducing your pet’s veterinary visit stress is essential for ensuring better health outcomes. By working closely with our Cobb & Co Veterinary Clinic team, you can help your pet develop a positive association with vet visits. Contact us to schedule your pet’s next low-stress visit or for additional information about helping your pet stay calm.