Taking a pet to
the vets is never pleasant. More often than not, trips like these come about as a result of suspected illness. As such, they’re an emotional experience. But, if you want the best for your pet, they’re a necessary aspect of ownership.
Sadly, you can’t tell your pet that. Far from seeing that you’re trying to help, the majority of animals will fight against you. Even if your pet doesn’t turn on you, they may become stressed and withdrawn the moment you set foot in that car park.
It might not be a scratch to the face, but this can cause real pain. You love that little ball of fluff, after all, and you want to know that they’re a
happy chap at all times. Admittedly, that’s never going to be an easy task here. But, we think stress-free vet visits are possible. Keep reading to find out how.
Calm your pet beforehand
Many of us grab out pets and shove them into carriers. All the better for getting it out of the way, right? Or, maybe not. Consider how you’d feel if the same thing happened to you. Part of their stress may come about from this alone. Instead, work on calming your pet before springing this on them. Spend time stroking your cat, then ease them into their carrier. Take your dog for a walk before dragging them into the dreaded waiting room. If your pet’s distress is severe, you may even find it beneficial to use something like the calming treats offered by
KarmaPets. By giving your pet one of these before leaving, you could see them following you happily into their least favorite place.
Consider the time you book your appointment
Often, we take vet appointments without question. It makes sense that you want to book in as soon as possible. But, it may be worth taking a little more time over your timings. Often, a crowded waiting room will cause more stress in your animal. This is especially the case for cats,
rabbits, and other skittish creatures. The sight of a dog is sure to stress a cat out even more than that vet’s table. Wherever you can, then, ask for weekday appointments around the middle of the day. That way, you might be lucky enough to be the only ones waiting.
Don’t arrive too early
Speaking of waiting, it’s also important not to arrive too early. Many of us are in the habit of arriving fifteen minutes before an appointment. That’s great when the appointment is for you. When it’s for your pet, though, this waiting is the most stressful aspect of all. It’s no wonder they’re a mess by the time the vet calls their name. In an ideal world, aim to arrive no more than five minutes early. Vets are often running late anyway, so it’s unlikely you’ll miss anything. And, this way, your pet won’t have time to get stressed out before the vet is checking them over.
