Pets generally do not appreciate veterinary visits despite their owners’ attempts to ensure they receive compassionate care in a stress-free manner. The main reason for a pet’s anxiety or fear associated with veterinary visits stems from unfamiliarity. When a pet enters a veterinary hospital, they are typically unaccustomed to the facility’s sounds, sights, and smells, along with the veterinary exam handling and procedures. 

Teaching your furry friend what to expect during their veterinary visit can greatly reduce their stress and anxiety. Our Central Houston Animal Hospital team shares tips for setting up your pet for successful, stress-free veterinary visits.

Teach your pet to love their carrier

To help reduce your pet’s veterinary visit stress, start by helping them become comfortable with their carrier. Many pets associate the carrier with veterinary visits, feeling anxiety the moment you bring it out. To counter this, leave the carrier out in a common area where your pet can see and smell it regularly. Make your furry pal’s carrier a cozy place by including soft bedding and some of your pet’s favorite toys inside. Feeding your pet inside the carrier can create a positive association, and you can gradually start closing the door for short periods while they eat. Additionally, take your pet on short practice trips in their carrier so they can get used to being inside without the final destination always being Central Houston Animal Hospital.

Acclimate your pet to travel

Once your pet is comfortable with their carrier, help them acclimate to travel. For pets who are not used to car rides, a vehicle’s motion and sounds can be frightening. Start with short, calm trips around the block and gradually increase each journey’s length. Ensure that the car environment is quiet and calm, and avoid loud music or abrupt movements. 

Practice mock exams on your pet

Familiarizing your pet with handling techniques they will experience during a veterinary visit can help significantly reduce their stress. Regularly practice gentle handling and mock exams at home by checking their ears, mouth, and paws, in addition to gently restraining them as a veterinary technician or assistant would. By making these activities routine, your pet will become accustomed to being handled. Always use treats and positive reinforcement to make the experience pleasant and stress-free.

Use calming supplements and products for your pet

Various calming supplements and products, such as pheromone sprays and diffusers, calming collars, and anxiety-reducing treats, can help alleviate your pet’s stress before and during a veterinary visit. Using these products in conjunction with other stress-reducing strategies can make a significant difference in your pet’s anxiety levels.

Drop by for happy veterinary visits

A visit to our veterinary hospital doesn’t always have to involve an exam or a procedure. Dropping by for happy visits can help your pet form a positive association with our facility. These visits can be short and involve simply walking into the office, receiving treats from our team, and leaving. Over time, these positive experiences will help reduce your pet’s anxiety, making veterinary visits less stressful.

Bring your pet hungry

Bringing your pet to their appointment while they are slightly hungry can be beneficial. A hungry pet is more likely to be motivated by treats, which can be used to distract and calm them during the visit. You can withhold food for a few hours before the appointment, ensuring your furry friend is eager to receive the treats offered during the visit. 

Ask our veterinarian for help

Don’t hesitate to ask our Central Houston Animal Hospital veterinarian for advice on making visits less stressful. We may recommend specific products, techniques, or training programs designed to reduce stress. Additionally, if your pet’s anxiety is severe, we can discuss the possibility of using anti-anxiety medications to help them cope.

By following these strategies, you can significantly reduce your pet’s stress and make veterinary visits positive experiences. With patience and consistency, you’ll find that your furry friend’s anxiety levels decrease, making trips easier for both of you. Give our Central Houston Animal Hospital team a call to discuss the best options for reducing your pet’s stress during their visit.