6 Tips for an Easier Vet Visit for You and Your Pet

Veterinary diagnostics

A lot of people get anxious when they are facing a dental or medical appointment. It should be no surprise that the same holds true for Fido and Fluffy. While veterinary diagnostics have improved along with pet care, it is still easy to wind up with a pet who is less than thrilled with the experience. Here are some things you can do to make it go better for both of you.

  1. Take care of your own anxiety level. If going to the vet stresses you out, you can bet dollars to donuts that it will freak your pet out, too. People can have very upsetting visits with vets, if you have had pets a long time, you may associate going with losing your cat, dog or whatever. You have to project a calm face so you do not get your otherwise laid back pet upset. Start with your attitude and it will spill over.
  2. Get the animal used to the car. The fear your pet experiences starts long before any veterinary diagnostics are eve run. Your cat or dog may just be terrified of the car. There are things you can do to show them that the car is not a terrifying. If you are going to transport your animal in a carrier, get them used to it. Some cats, for instance, will try to head for the hills when they see a carrier so keep it out so they can get used to it. Take your pet for a ride, dogs are cooler with this than cats but it works on cats, too.
  3. Ask your vet about homeopathic remedies. A lot of people have had luck giving their pets things like valerian root or chamomile. There are also concoctions that are loaded with tryptophan and yeast. It may take some trial and error to find the right compound for your furry or feathered friend but it can make a difference. You should aways check with the office because they may be running some veterinary diagnostics that will be thrown off from an herbal compound. There are also some products for pets that can be sprayed on.
  4. Make sure you and your pet like the vet. When you are looking for a doctor or dentist for yourself, you want to go to someone you can communicate with. The same kind of thing holds true for the professionals who will give medical and dental treatment to your pet. Like professionals who deal with human health, not all vets have the bets “bedside” manner. You do not have to go to the first vet you meet. Go to someone who puts your pet at ease.
  5. Do not skip visits to the vet. Not only are there veterinary diagnostics that should be done on a regular basis but you need to have the experience be decent. While you need your pet to have an antigen heartworm test and the other veterinary clinical diagnostics that are needed periodically but you should not just go when there is a medical problem. Your cat or dog will be more comfortable going to the vet if they do it on a regular basis.
  6. Give them treats. If you had a child who was scared when you took them to the dentist or doctor, you might do something special for them to reward them, right? You should do the same thing for your pet. You can bring actual treats with you and you can make the experience better by having special treats that you only give them on days when they go to the vet. Soon they will link going to the vet with the special treat and may not be as scared.

People across the United States love their pets. It has been estimated that there are somewhere between 70 and 80 million pet dogs and between 74 and 96 million pet cats. We care about our animals and pay attention to their food safety. When it comes to keeping them healthy and happy, taking them to the pet clinic for the right veterinary diagnostics can make a big difference in the quality of life for them. Taking these steps can make that vet visit easier.