It is natural for cats and dogs to be nervous at the vet. There are many unfamiliar smells and sounds. You can’t tell your pet why he’s there or what he can expect to happen any more easily than he can tell you where it hurts. Fortunately, there are many things that veterinary staff and owners can do to make the experience less stressful for both cats and dogs. Calm pets are easier to diagnose (pets in fear mask pain) and to treat (fearful pets often panic and resist). The most important thing to remember is that a pet is unlikely to "naturally" like the veterinary experience. If dragged onto the scale, plopped onto the exam table, and forcefully restrained for diagnostics and treatments, it's natural for any cat or dog to quickly try to evade or escape the situation. Anything we can do reduce the amount of stress, from changing the environment to giving choice to the pet, from using less threatening body language to enticing with treats, will help him/her to relax and cooperate in the veterinary setting.

What You Can Do: Tips for Dog Owners

• Start young, visit often, and make every visit as enjoyable as possible. Socialize your puppy to being handled and examined.

• Avoid dragging or pushing your dog onto the scale or into the exam room. Try coaxing him with a tasty treat.

• Food rewards are a powerful tool if your dog isn't experiencing digestive upset or having surgery the day of your visit. They can help your dog calm down and focus on you and vet staff. They can also be used to train him to cooperate for exams and treatments. Please let us know if you have a peanut allergy, as we sometimes use peanut butter.

• After entering the exam room, drop your dog’s leash and allow him to sniff around and get his bearings. If he starts pacing, prompt him to sit next to you and gently keep him there, with a hand on his collar, slow pets, and periodic treats.

• Never punish or reprimand a frightened dog. Even if it causes him to submit in the short-term, it will make him more fearful for future veterinary visits.

• If your dog needs to wear a muzzle, considering rescheduling your appointment and taking some time at home to condition (acclimate) him/her to the muzzle first (see video below). This will significantly reduce the level of your dog’s stress when he has to wear it at the vet.

• Consider scheduling a counter-conditioning technician appointment if your dog is particularly nervous.

• As a consideration to feline patients, please prevent your dog from approaching cat carriers in the lobby. Most cats are not happy to be inspected by strange dogs!

What You Can Do: Tips for Cat Owners

• Start young, visit often, and make every visit as enjoyable as possible. Socialize your kitten to being handled.

• Store your cat carrier in a room where your cat likes to relax. Keep the carrier door open and put a comfy blanket or towel inside (bonus points for something that smells familiar, like your old fleece sweatshirt). Leave treats near the carrier door, then later inside for your cat to discover.

• When it’s time to visit the vet, bring an old bath towel to cover most of the carrier and block the view of other pets in the lobby. Make sure there aren’t barking dogs present before coming inside.

• Set the carrier on a table or chair (cats often feel safer in a perching position) and don’t let dogs approach to sniff.

• Select a carrier whose top half comes off easily so that the cat won’t have to be “dumped” or dragged from it…nervous cats can often be examined without ever leaving the bottom of this type of carrier!

• Use a calm, quiet voice and slow, reassuring petting.