While a visit to the vet certainly isn’t high on your cat or dog’s list of fun things to do, it is necessary for their overall health and wellness. If you want to make your pet’s visit to the vet easier on both you and your furry friend, the first step is to relax. Believe it or not, many animals can sense stress in their human companions, making them feel the same way. By starting out calm and collected when it comes time to make the dreaded car ride to the vet, you will have a much more enjoyable time.
There are numerous other things you can do when traveling with your pet to the vet, but having a change of attitude is perhaps first and foremost. Our pets are incredibly attuned to our moods, whether happy, sad, anxious or mad. If you are acting as if the visit to the vet is a bad thing, your dog or cat is more likely to feel that way, too.
Adopting a more relaxed and comforting attitude is important, but it is not the only thing you can do to help make the car trip to the vet an easier one. Here are a few other tips and techniques to ease your pet’s vet anxiety.
Tip #1: Create a Cozy Crate
If your pet is traveling by crate to the vet – as most cats and some small dogs do – it is important that you create a cozy space for them to travel in. Many pet owners make the mistake of pulling out the crate or carrier once it is time to go to the vet, which is a huge mistake. If your pet only sees his or her crate or carrier when it comes time to visit the vet, he or she will likely be terrified.
In order to keep this from happening, encourage your pet to spend time in their carrier or crate, even when you aren’t leaving the house. Keep the door open and create a cozy, welcoming environment inside for them. This will get your pet accustomed to the carrier, creating a far less stressful experience when it does come time to travel to the vet.
Tip #2: Play Before You Drive Off
If your pet hates the car and seems to just know that it is taking them to the dreaded vet, it may be a good idea to sit in the car for a few minutes, simply playing. After doing this for a few days, your pet will be more accustomed to being in the car; he or she may even associate it with a safe and playful place!
Keep in mind that this tip largely applies to dogs, as most cats never seem to get used to the notion of riding in a car. Because of this, it may be a good idea to keep your cat in a covered crate – with good airflow – so that he or she won’t be frightened by the sights and sounds of outside.
Tip #3: Be a Chatty Cathy
While you may feel crazy talking away at your dog or cat as you drive to the vet, it can be extremely soothing for your pet. In fact, talking to your pets in a calming voice can help relax them and keep them at ease as make your way through town to the vet. So throw your embarrassment out the door, embrace the craziness and start up a (one-sided) conversation with your cat or dog!
These three tips should give you a good place to start when it comes to easing your pet’s anxiety about a vet trip. If you have any other tips or tricks of the trade that have worked for you, feel free to pass them along!
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