To ensure the health and wellness of your pet, it’s necessary to bring them to the vet regularly. Unfortunately, this can be very stressful for them.
However, this isn’t surprising, since every time they visit the veterinary clinic, they’re either stuck with a needle, prodded, or poked. Nevertheless, veterinary visits are essential. Here, we’re going to give you some tips on how to make your pet’s vet visits less stressful for them.
Why Handling Exercises Are Crucial
It would be ideal if your puppy had a positive encounter with a veterinarian before you brought them home. Most often, breeders will bring their puppies to vets. But regardless of whether your pet is old or young, they should learn how to accept restraint and examination, which can greatly help reduce their anxiety every time they visit the vet.
You can begin by introducing them to handling exercises. If your pet feels comfortable with your touch, then try to massage them daily or each time they seem tired. Massage their tail, belly, mouth, ears, and paws, since these are the areas vets usually examine during a checkup.
Most importantly, don’t forget to give them treats and praise. This way, they can associate these handling exercises with positive rewards. Later, try to become more invasive. For instance, practice gentle restraint or squeeze their paws lightly to help them prepare for the actual examination.
If it seems like your pet is resistant to touching, then you can be more strategic. Keep in mind that your main objective is to create a positive emotional response. It can be helpful to give them a treat every time you touch them. At the start, you can give them a treat while touching a body part simultaneously to distract your pet.
As your furry friend becomes more comfortable with it, you can touch them first before giving the treat. For instance, touch your pet’s ears, then stop and give them a treat. Afterward, touch the dog’s ears briefly, then give them a treat. Then later, touch the pet’s ears for just one second, then give them a treat. Keep doing this until you can finally examine under the ear comfortably.
Training Can Contribute to Stress-Free Vet Visits
Besides the handling exercises, there are other training practices that can be useful when visiting the vet. Start by teaching your pet how to stand on command. This is because it’s easier for the vet to examine your pet when they’re standing rather than lying down in a collapsed position and being uncooperative.
Getting them into a standing position is easier when it comes with rewards and lures. While your dog is sitting down, place a treat near their nose, then gently lift it and lure them to stand up. After teaching them to stand, the next step is to train them to stay in that position.
You can also train your pet to go to their bed or mat on command. Simply tell them to “Go to your place.” Although this command isn’t specifically intended for the vet, training them with this behavior helps develop positive associations between the reward and the mat.
As a result, the mat becomes your pet’s safe space. So when you go to the vet, be sure to bring the mat with you. This can make them feel more comfortable while lying down or standing up.
Another helpful tip is to train your dog in nose targeting. When you tell them to “Touch,” they’ll immediately direct their nose to your palm. Keep in mind that wherever your pet’s nose goes, their body and head follow. Hence, the “touch” command can be used whenever you want to position your dog more conveniently for the vet.
Most importantly, this is a behavior that your dog enjoys since they receive a reward instantly. So every time your pet needs to be examined or a procedure needs to be performed, nose targeting can be an excellent way to distract them.
For smaller dogs, it’s best to train them to feel comfortable on elevated surfaces. This is because vets will most likely examine smaller dogs on the examining table. You can start by placing them on a coffee table or something lower, then gradually move to taller surfaces. To develop positive associations, place tasty treats on each elevation. For your dog’s safety and stability, put a non-slip surface on the table. Keep a hand on them in case they plan to jump off the table.
Make Your Veterinary Visit a Fun Experience
Most of the time, your pet will only visit the vet for an examination or when they’re not feeling well. That’s why over time they could develop negative feelings toward the clinic. So how about making your veterinary visit a fun experience? Rather than making the vet clinic a place for prodding and poking, make it a place for petting and treats.
Talk to your vet and ask if you can visit their clinic just to let your dog say hello to the staff. Be sure to contact them beforehand so you’ll know what the protocols are. During your visit, allow the staff to pet your dog while giving them delicious treats. You can stay in the lobby for a while and give your dog treats. This way, they can associate the treats with the familiar smell of the vet clinic.
Additionally, it’s essential to ensure that your pet can’t predict when you’re going to the vet clinic. If they can, then your pet’s stress will start as soon as they get in the car. Before heading to the vet clinic, take your pet to other places, like the dog park. This way, it will seem like they’re just going out for fun.
Bring the Appropriate Tools to the Vet
By bringing the proper tools with you, your visit to the vet clinic will be more comfortable for everyone. Start by packing some of your pet’s favorite treats. You can distract your pet by feeding them while they’re undergoing examination with the vet.
Additionally, this helps develop positive associations with the clinic experience. Another way to divert your dog’s attention is to let them play with their favorite toys. This way, their focus won’t be on the needle or other uncomfortable procedures.
If you have an anxious dog, you can try giving them calming treats or pheromone treatments. These can help keep your dog more relaxed during the visit. You can also choose to schedule appointments when the clinic isn’t too busy to reduce additional stress from crowded waiting areas.
Lastly, if you’re still having difficulties with vet appointments, it’s recommended that you discuss this with your veterinarian. It’s essential that they can obtain a complete examination without causing your pet excessive stress.
Crestway Animal Clinic can provide your pet with the best care possible. To book an appointment, you may call us at 210-657-6747.
