Our North Waterloo Veterinary Hospital team strives to make your pet’s veterinary visit as positive as possible. You can help us by taking steps before, during, and after your pet’s appointment to set up your dog or cat for success. Follow our tips to reduce your pet’s veterinary visit stress. 

Prepare your pet before their veterinary visit

Preparing your pet for a stress-free veterinary visit starts long before their appointment. The key is to create a positive association with the key veterinary visit stressors. Before your pet’s appointment, lay the foundation for a stress-free visit by following these tips:

  • Practice handling your pet — A thorough physical exam is essential to your pet’s health, but being comfortable with body handling doesn’t come naturally to all pets. Practice handling your pet by providing positive reinforcement so they can tolerate being handled at the veterinarian. 
  • Familiarize your pet with their carrier — For many pets, carriers are associated only with infrequent, often stressful, events such as travel, veterinary visits, or moves. If your pet is unaccustomed to being in a carrier, they might become fearful and anxious when you pull it out to take them to the veterinarian. Help your pet consider their carrier as a positive place so they won’t be afraid to enter when they need to go to the veterinarian
  • Practice car rides — Car rides can be stressful for some pets, so ensure your pet is comfortable by practicing ahead of time. Reward your pet as you place them in the car, and encourage them with praise and treats throughout the trip. Taking your pet for frequent short trips will help them get used to the sensation of the moving vehicle, and understand that not all car trips lead to the veterinarian

Prepare Yourself for Your Pet’s Veterinary Visit

Your pet looks to you for cues on how to behave, so staying relaxed and positive is important. To prepare yourself for your pet’s veterinary visit, follow these tips:

  • Schedule your pet’s appointment strategically — When scheduling your pet’s appointment, ensure you have no commitments before or after. To avoid feeling rushed, give yourself plenty of time to get to your pet’s appointment. By arriving a few minutes early, you have time to walk your dog and let them go potty, or enable your cat to have a few extra minutes to adjust to the veterinary hospital’s sights, sounds, and smells.
  • Write down questions — Get the most out of your pet’s visit by writing down any questions or concerns you have before you head to the appointment. That way, you can ensure you remember important points amidst the hustle and bustle. 
  • Ask for support — Ask a friend or family member to join you at the appointment if you anticipate needing help managing your pet—or if you simply want emotional support. 

Keep your pet calm during their veterinary visit

The veterinary hospital’s unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can overwhelm pets. So, bring along some positive reinforcements to help keep your pet relaxed during their veterinary visit: 

  • Tasty treats — Many veterinarians recommend ensuring pets’ stomachs are empty when they come in for a visit. Use treats as positive reinforcements throughout the examination.
  • Calming wraps — Wraps create a calming effect by applying pressure to your pet’s torso, similar to swaddling a crying infant.
  • Anxiety medication — Anti-anxiety medication is an option for pets with extreme anxiety and fear who need additional help. Speak with your veterinarian to determine if your pet is a good candidate. 
  • Favorite toy — If your pet has a favorite toy, bring it so we can play with them, which will often ease their anxiety.

Celebrate your pet’s successful veterinary visit 

To ensure the veterinary visit’s success doesn’t fade as soon as you leave our facility, positively reinforce your pet’s experience by taking them for a celebratory walk or visit to the park. In addition, reward your pet’s calm behavior by praising them and providing treats.

Visiting the veterinarian can be stressful for pets. However, with preparation and understanding, you can reduce your furry friend’s anxiety, ensuring they receive the care they deserve. Contact our North Waterloo Veterinary Hospital team if you have additional questions about preparing your pet for a stress-free visit, or to schedule their next appointment.