You can make your pet’s vet visits easier and smoother by training them!

Training your pet is easier when they are young and don’t yet have negative experiences with the vet, but it is never too late to start! Training will also help your pet be less nervous in an emergency vet visit, when you don’t have time to prepare everything in advance.

Carrier training – If you have a cat, a carrier is the only safe way to transport them to the vet. If you have a small dog, this might also be the best option. Help your pet associate the carrier with good experiences! You may choose to set up their bed or sleeping area inside it, and encourage them to see it as a safe retreat.

If your next vet visit is in the next few days, set up the carrier in an easily accessible space, line the inside with bedding and blankets with familiar scents, and encourage your pet to spend time in there by rewarding them with treats. The best carriers for the vet are ones that can be disassembled or have the top removed, so that the pet can be examined without having to leave it. If you can’t have this type of carrier, make sure you choose one with an opening on top as well as the door.

Car ride training – Get your pet habituated to riding in the car. Consider taking frequent short rides with them, such as going to the dog park, and reward them for being well-behaved on the way. Even if you live within walking distance of your vet, your pet may not be able to make the journey if they’re sick or injured. In this case, if they’re unfamiliar with the car, it can make an already stressful situation even worse. Always secure your pet properly for any car ride, regardless of how short it is.

Touch habituation training – The vet and vet techs will need to examine your pet during every visit. If they’re not used to being touched, this can be very stressful for them, and dangerous for the vet team.  You can help by getting your pet used to being touched, especially in the unpleasant areas – mouth, paws, tail and ears. If you’re starting this training with an older pet, ensure you go at their pace, and that you stop as soon as they become unhappy and/or aggressive. Build up the amount of time you’re touching them for, and reward them for good behavior. It’s also good practice to get your pet used to being put on a table, as it can be a stressful experience if they’re not familiar with it.

Training visits – You might need to book a slot, or take an amount of time out of your day to visit the clinic. However, this is the best way to ensure your pet is less afraid of the vet! Plus – they might get a lot of pets and praise from the team, helping build relationships during a time when your pet is happy and relaxed, which will help your pet associate the team with positive experiences rather than with the unpleasantness of an appointment.

Many practices offer these visits to help your pet get more familiar with the environment – from just a quick drop-by, to weightings and other quick procedures. Ask your clinic if they can provide this.

On the day of your appointment, there are some things you can do to make your visit to the vet easy.

Stay calm – We know that this is easier said than done, especially if this is an urgent appointment. But your pet will be able to feel your stress, and will react accordingly. Staying calm, speaking softly, and making slow movements will help your pet relax.

Carrier – Prepare your pet’s carrier. Place your pet’s bed, or other soft fabric and blankets with familiar smells, inside – this will help your pet stay calm and relaxed. If you have any, there is no harm in spraying the inside with calming pheromones. These are products that humans can’t smell, but which can create calming effects on animals.

If at all possible, encourage your pet to go inside on their own. Placing a few tasty treats or a favorite toy inside can help lure them in. Don’t use any kind of medication or active product on the carrier, like catnip, so close to the appointment – some may interfere with medicines your vet might need to use, and it is better to be safe than sorry! If your pet is defiant or in pain, be as gentle as possible while placing them in.

Cover the carrier with a cloth to cover the door and any entrances. This reduces the amount of light and visual stimulation and, especially for cats, helps satisfy the instinct to hide that they get when stressed or in pain. This will make transport easier.

Toys, treats, and safety – If you can, bring your pet’s blanket, with you. The familiar smells can help keep them calm, and the soft fabric will make the waiting room more comfortable.

Bringing a special toy can help distract them during uncomfortable procedures.

The treats will enable you to train your pet to associate the vet with positive experiences and rewards. In the shorter term, they can help lure your pet into position, or keep them distracted as needed.

Extra help – You may be asked to muzzle your pet prior to the appointment. This is for their safety, as well as the veterinary team’s. If you have been asked to do this, please comply.

Some pets may benefit from taking anti-anxiety medications before their appointment. Your vet may be able to provide it to you, sometimes even for free. If you have been given these medications by your vet, take them as instructed.

If your pet is sick or injured, ask your vet before giving them any medications, even if they were previously prescribed. In an urgent situation, your pet may need to be given other medicines which may interfere with these treatments. When in doubt, call the practice.

Final preparations – Ensure your pet has toileted just before the appointment. (If you forgot to, or couldn’t take a urine sample in the morning, you can take one now.)

Don’t feed your pet too close to the appointment time. Stress can cause nausea. Being on an empty stomach will not only prevent car sickness, it will also make your pet more likely to accept treats at the vet – making them easier to handle, and their training more efficient.

If your pet is healthy and capable, it is helpful to have them exercised prior to the appointment.

On the day of your veterinary appointment, here are the things you and all pet owners should do to ensure a smooth vet visit. Before the appointment, at the clinic, and when you get home!

Come prepared – All cats should come to the vet inside a carrier, preferably one covered by a cloth to reduce visual stimulation. Some small dogs may benefit from being in a carrier, too. Larger dogs must be leashed with a short, non-retractable leash.

Arrive early – Once at the clinic, this can give you time to review your records and fill out any forms you weren’t able to fill in advance.

Keep away from other pets – Do not let your pet interact with the other animals in the clinic. Regardless of how friendly your pet is, the others there might not be – or they might be sick and infect your pet!

Keep dogs by your side, always on the leash. Cats should never leave their carriers. Some clinics offer separate places or times for cats and dogs. If yours doesn’t, or it isn’t possible for you to come on those days, it’s extra important to ensure your cat’s carrier is facing away from other pets and preferably covered by a cloth.

You can step away – If the waiting room is too much for you or your pet, ask the front desk if you can wait outside or in your car. It isn’t always possible, but many practices are willing to accommodate it. If you do step away, let the front desk know, confirm your phone number, and keep an eye out for their call.

If the weather is good, you can help your pet exercise a bit more before their appointment. Having them be a bit more tired can help make the appointment smoother.

Follow instructions – The vet team might need your help keeping your pet calm. Or they might think it is best if you’re not in the room. Whatever they tell you to do – do it! This will help keep the appointment shorter and more efficient, and help your pet go home sooner.

Reward your pet – Whenever your pet behaves well, reward them with a treat – even if they aren’t perfect yet. This will help them make positive associations with the vet.

If you’re doing this, keep in mind that you need to consider the calories to avoid overfeeding them. If your pet is sick or injured, you might not be able to do this. Ask your vet before you do!

Wash everything – Wash the bedding and toys you took to the vet, and clean the carrier. This will also help you avoid bringing diseases or parasites home from the vet.

Other pets – Getting home from the vets in a multi-pet household can sometimes cause upset as that pet doesn’t smell as they once did. Using a blanket that smells of the pet that has not left the house, rub over the pet that has had the vet visit. This helps reduce these unwanted smells and aid in the reintroduction.

Medicine and treatment – You might need to ask your vet to demonstrate how to apply medicines. If you have any doubts, call your practice, or make a follow-up appointment.

Heartworm – That’s why a heartworm preventative needs to be part of your pet’s monthly routine. Certain heartworm preventatives also help keep your pet safe from other types of parasites.

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