Tips For Stress Free Visits to the Vet

By: The Charlee Bear Staff

Welcoming home a new pet comes with many responsibilities, one being to make sure that our furry friend has necessary vet visits. While vet visits are essential in maintaining a pet’s health and wellbeing, they can be stressful and sometimes difficult for the pet and its owner. Teaching new pet owners’ different strategies to help make these experiences more enjoyable will not only save time, but also make the pet more comfortable and prepared for future visits. Here are a few tips to share with your clients!

Ensuring a successful vet visit begins at your client’s home. By prepping their pet before heading out the door, the pup is more likely to be calm and comfortable once in the veterinary office. One way to do this is to have your client play with their pet or take them for a walk before leaving for their visit. This allows their dog to release energy and also gives them time to go to the bathroom. That way, once they’re at their appointment, your client won’t need to worry as much about accidents or their pet being too energetic to listen to commands.

Loading a pet into the car can also be tough for new pet owners. To help ease the process, clients can put their dog in a crate with a comfortable blanket or pet bed to make their dog feel more relaxed. Some dogs are comfortable traveling in a dog seat belt/car harness which is also great. Regardless, positive reinforcement is always important, which is why your client should reward their pet with a treat after loading them into the car. This helps their dog know that they’re behaving, teaches them to make more positive associations while in the car, and may help keep them calm during the ride to their vet appointment. Charlee Bear’s Original Crunch is a perfect option since it won’t leave crumbs or stains. Plus, your clients won’t have to feel guilty about overindulging their pet since each treat contains less than three calories. However, some health tests may require your client’s pet to fast the day before their appointment, which is why it’s always critical for them to consult their veterinarian beforehand.

Arriving at the vet is usually the most overwhelming part of the visit, as the pet is introduced to a variety of new smells and sensations, along with the presence of other pets and pet parents. Your client should allow their pet to familiarize themselves with the environment little by little by sniffing and exploring their surroundings. But most importantly, your client should stay close to their pet at all times and reassure them that they are safe. Holding the pup in their arms, if possible, or petting them throughout their appointment are other ways your client can keep their dog calm and collected. It can’t hurt to bring along a comfort item from home as well, like a favorite chew toy, so that the pup has something familiar to ground them while waiting to see the vet. Packing the dog’s favorite treats can also prove beneficial, especially if they are easily motivated by food. Freeze dried and infused with real fruits or vegetables, Charlee Bear’s Meaty Bites are a great reward that will help your client keep their dog focused and well behaved when they first arrive at the veterinary office.

Your client should be mindful of their own actions and demeanor, as this is another way to assure their dog that there’s no need to worry. A pet owner’s own emotions can impact those of their dog, so if a client is stressed or worried during their veterinary visit, their dog will pick up on it. Clients should always speak and react gently to their pet before, during, and after a vet visit in order to create a pleasant experience for the dog and themselves. Rushing the dog into the car, raising one’s voice at the dog, or pulling tightly on their leash are actions that will only cause more stress for the pet. Taking things slow and simple with a relaxed demeanor will surely make room for more success during your client’s next vet visit.

Just like a human’s visit to the doctor, visits to the vet can sometimes be stressful for our pets. Following the above tips can help improve your client’s and their pet’s next veterinary visit, ensuring a more pleasant experience and making future visits much easier. It may take time for clients to introduce these strategies to their pet, so encourage them to start the process now! Overall, the preparedness and patience of your client is essential to a less overwhelming vet experience.