Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Breckenridge Animal Hospital

3451 Breckenridge Lane

Louisville, KY 40220 USA

502-491-5800

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • New Pet Intake Form
    • Online Forms
    • What to Expect
    • Veterinary Resources
    • Payment Options
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Veterinarians
      • Dr. Keith Gaines
    • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Diagnostic Services
    • Surgery
    • Dental Care
    • Behavior Consultation
    • Emergency & Specialty Referrals
    • Nutritional Counseling
  • Wellness Packages
    • Wellness Package FAQ's
    • Adult Wellness Packages
    • Puppy/Kitten Wellness Packages
  • My Pet's Medical Records - Petly Pages
  • Referral Rewards Program!
  • Useful Links for Pet Owners
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Community Content
    • Pet Health
      • Chronic Conditions
      • Digestive and Oral Health
      • Diseases and Viruses
      • Pests and Parasites
      • Orthopedics
    • Today's Veterinarian
    • Choosing Your Pet
      • Finding Your Pet
      • Cats
      • Dogs
      • Exotics
        • Amphibians
        • Birds
        • Reptiles
          • Lizards
          • Turtles
      • Small Mammals
        • Ferrets
        • Rabbits
        • Domesticated Animals
          • Prairie Dogs
        • Pocket Pets
          • Chinchillas
          • Guinea Pigs
          • Hamsters
          • Hedgehogs
          • Rats
      • Livestock
        • Cows
        • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
        • Goats
        • Pigs
        • Poultry
        • Sheep
    • Living With Your Pet
      • Bringing Your Pet Home
      • Children and Pets
      • Providing Care
      • Travel
      • Saying Goodbye
    • Newsletter Library
      • Tips for Pet Owners
      • Seasonal Topics
      • Nutrition & Food
      • Recognizing Illness
      • Visiting the Vet
      • Equine
      • Cats
      • Keeping Pets Healthy
      • Fleas & Parasites
      • Pet Dangers
      • Behavior & Training
      • Newsletter Archive
        • Fun with Pets
        • Unbelievable Pets
    • Video Newsroom
      • Health Topics
      • Technology and Science
      • Other Interests
    • Client Survey
    • Pets4Kids
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Ways to Take the Stress Out of Your Pet's Next Veterinary Visit

Ways to Take the Stress Out of Your Pet's Next Veterinary Visit

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Veterinarian interacts with dog and owner

7 Ways to Make Your Pet's Next Visit to the Veterinarian Less Stressful

Just like you, your pet may find visits to the doctor stressful. If your normally calm, friendly pet becomes a quivering, snarling ball of fur at veterinary visits, you may be wondering what you can do to make appointments more pleasant for both of you. Following a few of these tips will help your pet feel more comfortable during trips to the veterinarian.

Pay a Social Call to the Veterinarian

Visiting the veterinarian just to say hello can show your pet that the veterinary office isn't such a scary place. A social visit helps your pet feel more at home in the office, particularly if the friendly staff offers a treat or two. if you think your pet could benefit from occasional social calls, ask the veterinary staff when it will be convenient to stop by.

Positive experiences are particularly important during your puppy or kitten's first experience at the veterinary office. According to a study published in Veterinary Sciences, puppies that were fearful during an initial visit were more likely to experience fear as adults.

Go for Joyrides

If your pet only rides in the car for veterinary visits, it may become stressed the minute it enters your vehicle. Taking your dog along for trips to the pet store, visits with dog-loving friends and family members, or excursions to the dog park decreases negative associations with cars and trucks.

Chill in the Car

Does your dog or cat become fearful or stressed when you walk through the doors of the veterinary office? Your pet may be overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sights and smells of the office.

Spending time in the waiting room with other animals can also be upsetting for some pets. If your dog or cat finds the waiting room stressful, ask if it's okay to wait in the car instead. The office can call or text you when it's time for your furry friend's appointment.

Offer Treats

Treats make everything better, including veterinary visits. Bring your pet's favorite snacks, and offer them periodically throughout the visit. Give a few treats to the veterinarian and veterinary techs to pass out too.

The American Animal Hospital Association advises that your pet will be more interested in treats if it's a little hungry during the visit. If the appointment will be close to your pet's usual meal time, don't feed your pet or offer much less food than usual.

Play Doctor

Does your pet object to all the poking and prodding that happens during a checkup? You can help your pet feel more comfortable with the examination process by mimicking your veterinarian's actions at home.

Run your hands over your pet's body, take a look in its ears and mouth, and gently press on its abdomen. Offering treats or toys after each of these mini exams will help convince your dog or cat that exams aren't so frightening after all.

Make Your Cat's Carrier Part of Your Decor

At the first sight of a carrier, many cats head for their favorite hiding places. Fortunately, you can change your pet's opinion by finding a special spot in your home for the carrier.

Create a haven for your cat by furnish the carrier with a soft blanket and a few toys. Keep the door open to make it easier for your pet to come and go throughout the day. When you're ready to travel to the veterinary office, it will be much easier to convince your cat to step inside the carrier.

Use Calming Devices

Body wraps or Thunder Shirts may help both cats and dogs feel less afraid during visits. Similar to weighted blankets for people, the devices apply gentle pressure that makes pets feel calmer or more secure.

Spraying your cat's carrier with Feliway before a veterinary appointment may make visits less stressful. Feliway contain pheromones, the same type of calming substances mother cats use to help their kittens relax. A few sprays of Feliway can help calm cats of all ages.

Does your pet struggle with veterinary visits? Let us know when you make your pet's next appointment. We can recommend a few helpful suggestions that will make your furry friend's appointment much more pleasant.

Sources:

American Animal Hospital Association: How Can My Pet Have Stress-Free Veterinary Visits?

NCBI: Veterinary Sciences: Mimimising Stress for Patients in the Veterinary Hospital: Why It’s Important and What Can Be Done About It, 6/2017

Whole Dog Journal: Taking Steps to Making Vet Visits Less Stressful for Your Pet

American Kennel Club: How to Make Vet Visits (Almost) Stress-Free for Your Dog, 6/23/2021

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
    • Livestock
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Poultry
      • Sheep
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Cats
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Pet Dangers
    • Behavior & Training
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids

A Healthy Pet is a Happy Pet!

Preventive Care Plans Are Here

Featured Links

Click to find out more

  • Shop Online Now

    Click Here
  • Make An Appointment

    Click Here
  • Online Forms

    Click Here

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-1:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • ""The entire office staff and doctor are the greatest. I am very confident with taking my animal to them. Have been going to this office for over 20 yrs. Very pleased.""
    Joyce & Genef, Louisville

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • How to Tell When Your Cat Is Sick

    Not sure if your cat is sick? Take a look at these signs. ...

    Read More
  • Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank; Pet Insurance

    Wondering if pet insurance is a good idea? ...

    Read More
  • Human vs Pet Medications: Why You Should Never Share Medicine with Your Pets

    Could your medications harm your pets? ...

    Read More
  • Ways to Take the Stress Out of Your Pet's Next Veterinary Visit

    Does your pet dread veterinary visits? ...

    Read More
  • Signs on Heatstroke: Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer

    Do you know how to protect your pet from heatstroke? ...

    Read More
  • Why Heartworm Protection Is Necessary for All Pets

    Is your pet protected against heartworm? ...

    Read More
  • Cat-Safe House Plants

    Not sure which house plants are safe for your cat? Take a look at our list. ...

    Read More
  • Feline Skin Allergy Symptoms and Care

    Has scratching become your cat's favorite activity? A skin allergy may be to blame. ...

    Read More
  • The Next Step

    The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you should ...

    Read More
  • Battling Canine Cancer

    Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12 year old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat. Katy is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. Katy is not alone in this war. ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

Connect With Us

  • Copyright © 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map