How to “Prep” your Pet for the Vet

Let’s talk about how to make your pet (no matter what species) comfortable for their veterinary visit.

First, fill out all paperwork, consents, etc., online or on your cell phone!  This way your check-in is much easier and faster and your pet isn’t in the waiting room too long with others.

Make sure you send your vaccine and previous medical records ahead of time, or make sure you have them with you the day of the visit so that history taking is streamlined.

Be calm yourself ☺.  Yes, they can sense your tension, they do live with you after all ☺   

• If your pet is a smaller breed or species, work on getting them used to the carrier they will be riding in to the vet.  You can feed them in this carrier for the week before the visit, or, feed them or have them sleep in it periodically so they remain used to the carrier/container/crate and associate it with something safe and “homey”.

• If you have a big dog, teach him/her to “load up” in the vehicle you will be using to take the to the vet, but don’t take them, just load them and give them a treat!  They will easily load up the day of their visit!

• Make sure your pet has a sturdy collar/harness and leash before the visit.  If they are not comfortable on such leads, train them to crate so that crating or leash walking is an everyday thing, not just a thing they do before the vet visit.

• Bring them by the veterinary clinic just for fun!  Yes, just for fun!  Bring them by periodically to get a weight and a treat as well as some hugs and rubs!  

• If you have a cat, bring your cat in a large enough carrier to place a litter box if you have a longer drive.  Cats like to eliminate when they are nervous.  Place a litter box inside the carrier for a week or two before visiting the vet, and leave the door to the carrier open at all times.

• Bring your own treats!  If you prefer, bring your own treats that we can reward your pet with when we are taking blood samples or giving vaccines.

• If you have an exotic pet, make sure they are in a container/carrier where they can hide, have water, and have a heat source before traveling to your veterinarian.

We know you are concerned and nervous for your pet.  These steps will help make the visit easy, non-stressful, and fast.