TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF VET VISITS

Trips to the veterinarian may be more traumatic for your pet than you think. Here are some tips to help make it easier for them

IT’S A familiar scenario: you’ve managed to get your pet into the car and to the vet, but now they’re acting up in the waiting room, the minutes are stretching into what feels like hours and you’ve become a nervous wreck. “Fear and anxiety around vet visits is quite common, not only for the patient but also for the owner,” says Dr Ingrid de Wet of Ebervet Country Animal Clinic in Somerset West.

Luckily there are some things you can do to take the stress out of going to the vet.

9 TIPS TO REDUCE ANXIETY

1 Find a gentle vet Make sure you use a vet who uses “fear-free” handling techniques. This means not holding your pet down by force during an appointment. “This is what ultimately makes animals fear vets in the first place,” says Dr Terri Bright, director of Behaviour Services at Angell Animal Medical Centre in Massachusetts, USA.

“If you see a cat being held down by four people with cat gloves or a dog being muzzled and five people holding him down, this is extremely stressful for any animal. So be on the lookout for vets who practise gentler techniques of handling.”

2 Get your pet used to the car “For many animals, the only time they go in the car is when they go to the vet and so they build up a negative association with the car,” De Wet says.

“Take your dog for fun drives and if you can, occasionally drive past the clinic so that they can build up a neutral association with that route and that building.

3 Practise social visits “Just do a friendly visit to the vet for them to get to know the staff and the premises,” De Wet says. “Chat to your clinic’s receptionists and hear when the practice is quieter and when they’ll have time for a visit.”

4 Cover the carrier For cats, a good tip is to cover the carrier with a towel when you go to the clinic. “Try to avoid contact (sight and physical contact) with any dogs and always put the carrier on a raised surface,” De Wet advises. “Using pheromones such as Feliway spray in the cat box and on the towel can also reduce their stress significantly.”

5 Bring treats or toys Many vets will use treats to help create a positive association for your pet, but if they have a favourite treat, be sure to bring that with you. You can also bring your pet’s blanket as a comforting aid.

6 Do a pre-consult Discuss your pet’s anxiety with the reception staff before the visit. “If your animal is very nervous around other animals, find out if there’s a side door that you could enter in or sit and wait in the car for as long as you can,” De Wet says.

7 Let the pet lead Most vets like to work with your animal where they’re most comfortable because that makes the process less stressful for everyone. “Discuss your preferences and your pet’s needs with the vet. If they’ve had a negative experience in the past, mention this too so these triggers can be avoided,” De Wet advises.

8 Use calming meds Ask your vet to recommend calming or sedative medications for your pet for the visit. “Feeling nauseous is a very negative feeling for the animal and reducing the nausea can make the whole visit a lot more successful,” De Wet says. It’s also important for you to remain calm. Your pet picks up on your emotional state so if you’re stressed, they’ll get stressed too.

9 Book a house visit If all else fails, ask your vet to do a house visit, De Wet advises.