Visits to the vet can be extremely stressful for your pet, but have you ever thought of the effect this can have on children? It is no secret that children are curious about most things, and this is no different when it comes time to take their pet to the vet.
As a responsible pet owner and parent, it is important for you to do everything in your power to teach your children about vet visits so that they understand this is not a negative experience for your pets, but one that help them live a long, happy and healthy life. If you are able to successfully introduce your child to vet visits, this will not only be healthy for their development, but also it may introduce them to a possible career path they were previously unfamiliar with.
Lastly, bringing your kids along for vet visits may help them become more aware of their own health care and responsibility to animals in general.
Talking to Your Veterinarian Beforehand is always Beneficial
Before you bring your kids to the vet with you and your family pet, it may be helpful to bring up the topic with your local veterinarian. This will allow your vet to adjust accordingly when it comes time for the appointment, and he or she may also have some suggestions for you if it is the first time.
Below you will find some tips to help prepare you for bringing your children along for your next visit. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Questions to Ask Your Child Regarding Vet Visits
Before you load up the car and head to the vet with your child and pet in tow, it is a good idea to take the below steps into consideration in order to fully prepare your kid for the visit. A good starting point is to ask your child the following questions:
- “Do you know why (insert pet name here) needs to see the veterinarian?”
- “What do you think will happen when we get there?”
- “What kind of feelings are you having about visiting the vet?”
- “Do you have any questions you want to ask the vet?”
- “Do you know what a vet does?”
- “Have any of your friends talked about going to the vet?”
It is important for you to touch on all the above points to ensure your child is indeed ready to go with you to the vet. For some, this is a scary experience they don’t fully understand and the last thing you want to do is further intimidate them by throwing them into an experience they are not prepared for.
Bottom Line: Preparation is Key
Once you have helped your child write down questions for the vet and determined they are ready to go with you, be sure and notify the veterinary staff that you are bringing your child along for the first time and that he or she may have some questions they would like to ask. In most cases, it is recommended that your child is not present while medical procedures are being performed on your pet. Seeing your pet in distress may cause further anxiety for your child, so it is important to avoid this if possible.
Taking the above steps to adequately prepare you, your child and the vet office for your child’s first visit is crucial to the overall experience and future visits. If approached properly, the experience should go smoothly and you should have no problem bringing your kid along for the next visit!
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