Reducing stress and anxiety

for happier vet visits

Anxiety, fear and stress

Many pets suffer anxiety, fear or stress related to car travel or visiting the vet and other unfamiliar locations. If not managed appropriately this can sometimes compound over time and can lead to a pet anticipating a negative experience before it even happens. This not only has a detrimental effect on the pet’s mental wellbeing, but may also mean veterinary staff are unable to examine or treat the patient as thoroughly as they would like.

Fortunately, there are several steps which can be taken to proactively address this issue.

Consider a house call

Some pets are much more comfortable being examined in their own home environment. If you feel a clinic visit is too stressful for your pet, please talk to a Good Boy staff member about our house call service and whether this is a good fit for your pet’s needs.  

Ask about pre-visit medicaitions

For patients who need to be seen in the clinic, pre-visit medications are often very helpful. Safe options are available for both dogs and cats and can be discussed with one of our veterinarians. Two doses are often recommended, commencing the evening prior to their scheduled visit. These medications may cause mild sedation but also help reduce anxiety and stress associated with travel and handling. 

Institute ‘happy visits’

We can help build a positive association with the clinic through "Happy Visits." This simply involves bringing your pet in when nothing needs to be done, so we can focus on positive reinforcement with treats, pats, and cuddles (instead of pokes and prods). Our team and your pets love it!

Other helpful strategies

Model Calmness: your pet often mirrors your stress levels so try to keep them to a minimum. We know this is sometimes easier said than done, especially in situations where your family member is sick of injured. 

  • Carrier/Car Training: Familiarise your pet with their carrier or short car rides outside of vet visits.

  • Calming Products: Over-the-counter calming products or pheromones (Feliway for cats, Adaptil for dogs) can be useful for milder cases. 

  • Owner Presence: Sometimes, pets are more relaxed when they examined away from their owners. If you suspect this is the case, let us know! Our nurses are experts at providing lots of love and attention, which often helps your pet settle and makes the examination less stressful for everyone.