All dogs are individuals with their own personalities and some are happier to visit the vets than others, says veterinary nurse Lucy Wright.
Similarly, some dogs love a ride in the car, while others can suffer from travel sickness even on short journeys. To help you and your dog enjoy a stress-free trip to the vets, here are my top tips:
How to make vet visits (almost) stress-free for your dog
Travelling to the vets
- If your dog isn’t used to travelling, it can be helpful to get them used to spending time in the car ahead their vet appointment.
- Start by leaving the engine off, remaining stationary and feeding them some treats or a chew while you sit with them. Once they are comfortable with this step, progress by turning on the engine but remaining stationary. Eventually, you can start to do short trips round the block that are stress free, ensuring they remain positive with lots of treats and by going at your dog’s pace.
- If your dog is an anxious traveller, consider using a pheromone spray on a blanket or in their crate to help them relax. You can speak to your vet about this or for other advice about managing travel anxiety if your dog is really struggling.
- For car travel, make sure your dog is safe and secure. This can be done by using a secured dog guard, crate or car-safe dog harness. A soft, thick bed can improve comfort and help to brace against movement. Driving without your dog appropriately secured may be classed as ‘driving without due care and attention’, which is a finable offence, and it may also invalidate your car insurance in the event of an accident.
- Be very mindful if travelling in hot weather. Avoid making other stops on your journey to and from the vets, so your dog is in the vehicle for as short a time as possible. Never leave your dog unattended in the car in warm weather, as they can very easily overheat, even with the windows cracked.
- It’s sensible to take water on any car journey so you can offer your dog a drink as needed and also pack some treats, which can come in handy as positive reinforcement during routine check-up appointments or booster vaccinations.
- For dogs who suffer from travel sickness, it is best to withhold food for two hours before you travel, unless there is a medical reason you cannot do this. If your dog really struggles with travel sickness, ask your vet about options for managing this.
- If you live near the vets (ideally within walking distance), why don't you make popping into your veterinary practice part of your dog-walking routine and give your dog a treat while you are there? Then it becomes associated as a good place in your dog's mind - not a fearful one. The veterinary staff will appreciate what you are trying to do - and will often come over and say hello to you and your dog.
At the veterinary practice
- Once you have arrived at the practice, the safest option is to put your dog on a non-extendable lead with a collar or harness that fits correctly and can’t easily be slipped. The reception team will direct you to the best place to sit in the waiting room. Some waiting rooms will have designated cat waiting areas, so avoid going into these with your dog, and be mindful that some clients may be visiting with small pets that find dogs scary.
- If your dog is very nervous or reactive to other dogs, let the reception team know. They will be able to advise on the best course of action, which could be waiting in the car with your dog or in a separate side room. You can also telephone ahead so the reception team can ensure there is a room free at your appointment time, which is especially important during hot weather when waiting in the car or outside might not be a suitable option.
- If your dog really struggles with the stress of visiting the vets, speak to your vet to see if stress-reducing medication might be an option. Seeking professional advice from a qualified behaviourist might also help if you have a particularly nervous or reactive dog. You can use this link to find a certified behaviourist in your area
- Follow the same tips for safe travel on your return journey home. Try not to overwhelm your dog with attention once home and give them time to relax and readjust after their vet visit.
The underlying stress of these visits can remain with our dogs for a few days after their visits, meaning they could find other situations they can normally cope with a little more stressful than they normally would. This is especially important if you have a nervous or reactive dog. Give them something calming to do like a safe chew or a stuffable food toy, providing they are supervised.
Hopefully these tips will prove useful in preparing your dog for safe travel to and from vet appointments, but if you have any questions relating to travelling your dog or managing stress or travel sickness, contact your vet practice for further advice.
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Registered veterinary nurse Lucy Wright has more than 17 years of veterinary nursing experience and is the regional lead for Best Friends Veterinary Group in the Cambridgeshire region.
Best Friends Veterinary Group is a member of VetPartners a nationwide veterinary group, which includes first opinion practices for large animals, equine and small animals as well as a network of referral practices that offer specialist care for small animal and equine patients.