Pet Health Articles

It's no big secret that dogs and my fellow cats aren't big fans of visiting the vet. It's nothing personal, really. We're just scared and don't like our routine disrupted. We know that you love us. Here are some things you can do for the next appointment to help us be cool about it.

Yours truly,

Carlos

If your pet’s behavior when preparing him to visit us at Buffalo Companion Animal Clinic is exasperating, take heart. He isn’t acting naughty on purpose. It is his only way of coping with an unknown situation that can make him feel highly anxious. Continue reading for specific tips on making veterinary visits less stressful for your dog or cat. And you, of course.

Taming Vet Fear for Dogs
Most dogs love riding in the car with their owners. They only object when that car ends up at the vet’s office. While you’re out running errands with your dog, feel free to stop in for a quick visit. We love seeing healthy pets and your dog will come to associate our office with love and snuggles and not just pokes and prods. Here are some other things you can try:

• A few hours before the appointment, spray a calming pheromone in your dog’s crate, her harness, and the seat of your car.
• Make sure you restrain your dog in the car for safety as well as to help her feel more secure.
• Play calming music on the way to your dog’s appointment.
• Budget plenty of time to get to the appointment so your dog won’t pick up on your stress.
• If your dog suffers severe stress and nothing else seems to help, speak to her regular veterinarian about giving her calming medication before leaving for the appointment.

Taming Vet Fear for Cats
As with dogs, you’re welcome to stop in the clinic with your cat any time. We hope the extra attention and opportunity to look around to his heart’s desire will help to reduce anxiety. These tips should help as well:
• Bring your cat’s carrier out at least a few days before his appointment. This gives him the chance to sniff it out as well as sleep and play in it. You may even want to put a treat in the carrier so he makes a pleasant association.
• You may need to enlist the assistance of another family member if you can’t gain your cat’s cooperation to get in the carrier on appointment day. One of you should hold the cat while the other lifts the cover off the carrier. Quickly replace the cover as the other person lets go of the cat.
• Feliway is a cat-specific pheromone that emits a calming aroma. You can try spraying it on the carrier and in the car. Do not allow your cat to roam free in the car.
• Don’t rush to the appointment and try to keep the cat-to-person ratio at 1:1 if possible.

Check Your Own Anxiety
Dogs and cats are extremely perceptive and will pick up on your anxiety. Approaching the appointment in a confident, matter-of-fact way can affect how your pet feels about it. We are always happy to see your pet, even if she would rather be just about anywhere else. Our staff will do everything possible to help her feel comfortable during the visit. 

Photo Credit: MTR / Getty Images