For some dogs, a visit to the vet can be very stressful. The smells, sounds and unfamiliar environment of a vet clinic can make many dogs feel anxious.
But it doesn’t have to be an uneasy experience. At Bryants Road Vet, we work really hard to provide a welcoming, friendly, and stress-free environment for your dog. And with a little bit of preparation from you, your dog may well end up loving their trips to the vet.
Bring them in for a visit before your appointment
To get your dog used to the vet, we recommend that you bring your puppy or dog into the clinic for a quick visit before their first appointment. We love nothing more than meeting new animals, and whenever possible, we will also take your pup into the consult room, have them sit on the table, and hop on the scales to get them used to the clinic.
All of this familiarisation will help make the first “official” appointment at the vet much less stressful now that your dog has a positive association with the vet clinic.
Don’t be in a rush for your appointment
If you’re in a rush and feeling flustered, then your dog is bound to feed off that stress as well. Being prepared for your consultation will ensure a calm experience – for both you and your pet.
Before your vet appointment, make sure you are prepared. If it’s at a clinic you’ve never been to, know how long it will take to get there, and where you can park. At our Loganholme vet clinic, we have plenty of parking at the front door to make it nice and easy to access.
Also have a think about any questions you may wish to ask the vet – this may be about your dog’s diet, their behaviour, or any concern you may have.
Leave some room in their belly for treats!
We all know that dogs are led by their stomachs – and we as vets definitely use that to our advantage when dealing with more anxious pets. At our vet clinic, we apply learning theory during our appointments to make dogs feel more comfortable. For example, if a dog requires a vaccine injection, we pair that with something good, such as an ear rub or treat (with your permission of course).
Bring a toy
If your dog has a favourite toy or teddy, bringing that along with you to your appointment will provide a great distraction. It can provide your dog with great comfort in an unfamiliar environment and is a great way to entice them into the car if they are a reluctant traveller.
Choose your vet wisely
Just like choosing your own medical professional, it’s vital that you choose a vet that is a good fit for your dog – and for you too. Before making an appointment with a clinic, drop in for a chat, unannounced. It’s a great way to see the staff in action, the environment of the waiting room and interactions with pets and their owners. The relationship between you and your vet clinic is likely to be long-term, so it’s important that you feel comfortable and valued.
What makes Bryants Road Vet a stress free environment?
At Bryants Road Vet, we do everything we can to make your pet feel more comfortable during their visit. As part of this commitment, our team has undertaken further training on animal handling and behaviour and we are now a Stress Free Pets accredited vet clinic.
This accreditation validates how we treat our furred clients in our clinic and our dedication to creating a stress-free experience for your pet when visiting the vet.
If your dog finds a visit to the vet an overwhelming experience, we are very happy to have a chat with you before their consultation to work out a strategy to help them. This may include having the appointment on the grassed area alongside the clinic or choosing a time when the clinic is less busy for your visit.
For pets with more severe displays of fear and anxiety, we sometimes reschedule appointments if the dog is overwhelmed and get them back on preclinical visit ‘chill’ meds. We also encourage these dogs to come back regularly to normalise vet visits.
Looking for a less stressful vet visit for your dog?
Our whole team work really hard to provide a stress-free environment at our vet clinic and we are very proud to be officially accredited for this commitment.
To book an appointment for your pet in a comfortable, fear-free environment, you can call us on 07 3801 1744, book online or drop by the clinic at 141 Bryants Road Loganholme.