Tips You Can Do at Home to Make Your Vet Visit Fear Free

If your pet experiences FAS (fear, anxiety and stress) over veterinary visits please know they are not alone. Practicing empathy is the first step to creating a Fear Free Veterinary Visit for your furry family member. Let’s be honest, most of us do not enjoy going to see our own doctors. From a pets perspective hospitals can be scary with new smells, new animal species and actual fearful scents in the air from other patients. While I may be aware of what will happen during my own doctor appointment, most pets are not prepared or informed prior to their visit but are expected to perform well. Needle pokes are not pleasant, restraint is no fun and let’s not forget the dreaded temperature checks! No wonder many of the patients I work with will tremble, pant excessively, pancake on the floor, refuse treats they typically enjoy and somehow lose the ability to perform well known commands while in the office. It is important to understand that pets, just like us, struggle to perform well under extreme FAS (fear, anxiety and stress). Thanks to Fear Free we now have several easy ways to combat these very real emotional responses. The results are incredible and we want to share these tips with all pet parents! First please visit fearfreehappyhomes.com and search for prep tips for your pets next physical exam, vaccinations, and blood draws. Please practice good communication with your vet staff about your pets’ specific needs and preferences during the time of appointment scheduling and intake. Don’t forget to mention if your pet needs nausea or anxiety medication prior to their visit. Ensure your pet is comfortable with car travel and/or going into a carrier. Day of an appointment try to give yourself plenty of time to get you and your pet safely to the vet. Let your pet use the restroom prior to leaving the house because nothing is more stressful than having to go with no place to go. Bring 50-100 tiny pieces of your pet’s favorite treat or kibble to offer during the entire visit creating a positive association. Bring your pets favorite toy or a blanket/bandana infused with pheromones to help promote a sense of calm and security. If your pet needs a muzzle for an exam or treatments we highly recommend training and acclimating him or her to their very own basket muzzle. We hope you will try some of these tips to see the difference in your own pet at their next vet visit. Please reach out if you need help creating a Fear Free Vet Visit for your beloved furry family member. Cinema Veterinary Centre is located at 23560 Cinema Drive unit L, in Valencia, 91355 (661) 253-9300.