- Thursday, April 25, 2024
By: Eastern Eye Staff
Is your pet’s annual checkup due? Start preparing before time. As per medical associations across the globe, around half of the pet owners understand that their dogs and cats do not like visiting the veterinarian. Veterinary hospitals with strange sounds, faces, and scents may upset the furry friend.
Rambling the dog or cat in the carrier and dealing with the carsick dog may be exhausting. Many pet parents delay preventive care for multiple reasons. It is because their pet gets stressed out. Various others are anxious regarding the experience. Here are a few preparatory tips and tricks you need to bring under discussion when preparing your dog for the annual veterinary visit.
When you take your dog or cat to the veterinary clinic for the annual checkup, they may be touched multiple times during the visit, which makes them anxious and uncomfortable. What can you do? You may prepare them at home by handling many body parts, including their feet, ear, and mouth.
Your puppy will be less stressed out and anxious about the thought of being touched during these sessions. Later reward your puppy during the session with treats and things they like. It will help them draw the link between the handling and their behavior; when you provide them with something fun and delicious, they will remember it.
Small dogs and cats must be transported to the veterinary clinic or hospital for annual checkups. You must take their safety and security into consideration. Unfortunately, various pets associate the carrier only with the visit to the veterinarian. Here are a few ideas to make the carrier a friendly and less anxious place for the pet
Place the pet in the carrier for some time so that they learn that a carrier is where they have to stay.
Exercise is one of the most critical tricks veterinarians and experts use to calm pets. A fun game or a brisk walk before the veterinary visit for an annual checkup may help reduce the dog’s anxiety and tension. It will make the pet feel more relaxed. Do not interfere with the pup’s nap or put undue pressure on the dog. Play with your puppy so that it burns out its energy. Your furry friends will be calmer when they get tired.
Food and favorite treats are one of the most vital things that every pet parent must know. It would help if you increased the pet’s motivation by distracting them. It always works best when the puppy is hungry. Skip the pet’s breakfast, or you can feed them with a minor meal in the morning and extend the period between two meals. It will make them feel more hungry, as well as tired, during the session. Fasting puppies are more reliable for tests when diagnosed with different diseases.
Only keeping the pet calm is not the end of the game. As a pet parent, you must stay calm during the session. Most pet owners get anxious when taking their pets to the veterinarian for an annual checkup. Hence, try to avoid excess tension and anxiety. If you are nervous, your furry friend will get scared. You need to motivate them and make them feel comfortable during the session. Try to project calmness so that they notice it before and after the veterinary appointment. Behave in a way that the session is usual, and it will not harm them in any way.
When your pets get a positive and enjoyable travel experience, it sets their mood. Most puppies and dogs like vehicle rides but are relaxed and safer when kept in a carrier. Try to secure them with the seat belt as they enjoy the experience. Try taking the pet for car rides before the appointment. Play their favorite games with them and speak to them to reassure them of their safety. Leave yourself with a lot of time to visit the clinic for the appointment so you may arrive feeling collected and calm. If your puppy has carsickness, you need to contact the medical team to prevent the issue from occurring.
A few pets feel bogged up when they visit the veterinary clinic. They require relaxation aids and little more help. Both the pet owner and the vet are responsible for taking care of these little things. The veterinarian might prescribe a mild sedative to reduce their anxiety. Remember that the goal is helping the pet feel positive and relaxed in the new environment.
A brief visit to the hospital with the pet without vaccination or treatment is necessary. It is because they will get accustomed to the smells and sounds and meet the veterinary team members in the process. Your puppy will enjoy the visit once they get used to it and understand the facility and fun activities. They will love to visit the clinic next time.
You may get in touch with your veterinarian to get to know the different relaxation exercises that you may practice with your pet. Depending on your requirement, these may be done at home or at the veterinarian clinic. You need to prepare your part for the session.
There might also be medical conditions cropping up now and then. Diagnosing these problems is necessary so that nothing severe happens to your beloved pets. Remember that an annual checkup of the pet is essential for a healthy and happy pet. Go ahead and book an appointment with the veterinarian at the earliest. Do not delay the annual checkup ever!
