🩺 How to Make Vet Visits Less Stressful: Vet-Backed Strategies for 2025 🧘🐾

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Vet visits can be stressful—for pets and people alike. Many dogs and cats experience fear or anxiety at the clinic, which can affect their behavior and even their health. In this 2025 guide, learn how to support your pet before, during, and after a veterinary visit using low-stress, vet-approved techniques. 🐶🐱

🐕 Why Fear at the Vet Matters

Fearful pets may:

• 🛑 Resist exams, making diagnosis difficult
• ⚠️ Escalate from stress to fear-based aggression
• ❌ Skip needed appointments because caregivers feel overwhelmed

It’s not disobedience or “bad” behavior—it’s fear. Recognizing and addressing it can lead to better visits and better health outcomes. 🧠💡

👁️ Read Body Language

Early signs of stress include:

• 😬 Lip licking
• 😨 Panting when not hot
• 🧍 Freezing or crouching
• 📉 Not taking treats

📈 If ignored, these signs may escalate to growling, snapping, or hiding. Adjust handling early to avoid making things worse. 🛑

🏠 Prepare Before the Appointment

• 📞 Share behavior concerns with the clinic when scheduling
• 🚗 Condition your pet to enjoy car rides and carriers
• 🧼 Use pheromone sprays (e.g., Adaptil®, Feliway®) on carriers or towels
• 🎶 Play calming music during transport
• ❄️ Regulate car temperature before loading your pet

Don’t wait for the appointment—start prepping days or weeks in advance. ✅

🐾 Try “Happy Visits”

Take your dog to the clinic for short, no-treatment visits:

• 🎉 Have staff offer treats and kind words
• 🏥 Let your pet sniff around and explore calmly

These visits help reframe the clinic as a safe space instead of a scary one. 🧠

🏥 What to Look for at the Clinic

Low-stress clinics may offer:

• 🐾 Separate dog and cat areas
• 🔇 Reduced noise and barking
• 💨 Pheromone diffusers in waiting and exam rooms
• 🚘 Curbside check-in to skip the waiting room

🍖 Bring Favorite Treats

Treats are not bribes—they’re emotional support tools. Try:

• 🧴 Lick mats with canned food or peanut butter
• 🧊 Frozen Kongs to soothe and occupy
• 🍗 High-value treats like chicken, cheese, or liver

📉 If your pet stops taking treats, their anxiety is rising—it may be time to pause or reschedule. 🧠

🔍 In the Exam Room

• 🧺 Bring a non-slip mat or towel from home
• 🐱 Keep cats in their carriers with the top off for the exam
• 🧘 Use towel wraps for gentle restraint—never scruff
• 🐶 Keep dogs on the floor or in your lap if comfortable

🐾 Many pets do better with you nearby—ask to stay during procedures whenever possible. 🩺

🧠 When to Pause the Visit

Talk to your vet if:

• 😟 Your pet’s fear becomes too intense
• ⏸️ You’d prefer sedation or a break
• 🏠 You want to try a mobile vet or behavior consult

Your vet may prescribe anti-anxiety meds or suggest alternate handling strategies for future visits. 💊

📝 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Fear doesn’t have to define your pet’s experience at the vet. With planning, patience, and partnership with your vet team, you can create a low-stress experience that keeps your pet healthy—and happy to return. 🐶💖

Need help reducing vet visit stress or starting happy visits? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app 📱 for expert behavior and handling advice. 🐾🩺