Does your pet get anxious at the vet? You’re not alone — many pets feel nervous about vet visits, but we believe every trip can be a positive experience.

As a Fear Free Certified veterinary surgeon, Vet Rhian is here to help make visits as stress-free and comfortable as possible for both you and your pet.

Below are some simple, practical tips we can offer to help your pet feel calm before, during, and after their appointment.

Start Young: Fear-Free Tips for Puppies & Kittens

When you bring home a new puppy or kitten, you can start preparing them for positive vet visits right away.

Puppies:

• Let your puppy settle into their new home for a few days before vaccinations.
• If possible, bring a blanket from the breeder with their mother’s scent as this can bring comfort to them and reduce anxiety.
• Take fun car rides to places other than the vet so the car doesn’t always mean “needles!”
• Try calming sprays like Pet Remedy or Adaptil in the car.
• If your pup loves treats, use them sparingly during car rides to make it a fun and positive environment.

Kittens:

• Leave the cat carrier open at home with a cozy blanket so they see it as a safe space.
• Add Feliway spray, Pet Remedy or catnip for extra comfort.
• Place the carrier securely in the footwell behind the passenger seat when you travel.

Calming Older Dogs & Cats

If your dog or cat is already nervous about vet visits, these tips can help:

• Bring lots of high-value treats (like chopped chicken, sausage, or liver paste) to make it a positive and fun experience for them.
• Try an Adaptil collar or use an Adaptil-sprayed bandana to calm your dog.
• Bring their favourite toy for distraction.
• Practice simple commands like “sit” in the waiting room to keep them focused on you and distract from anxious feelings.
• Stay calm yourself — pets pick up on your emotions. Gentle, steady strokes down their shoulders can help both of you relax.

Try Tellington TTouch Massage

We love teaching owners a simple calming massage called Tellington TTouch:

1. Use one or two fingers, or your whole hand.
2. Starting at the neck working towards the tail or down the legs, imagine a clock face making small circles from 6 o’clock around to 6 again, ending at 9 o’clock.
3. Repeat gently down the body.
4. This soothing touch taps into your pet’s natural relaxation response.

Personalise Your Visit

Every pet is different — and we’re happy to adjust.

• Some pets prefer being examined on the floor or your lap
• If your dog would rather be seen outside or enter via a different entrance to avoid the waiting room, then please let us know.
• Some do better without you in the room if you’re very nervous.
• For pets who dislike nail trims or routine procedures, quieter times of day can help.
• Seeing the same vet or nurse every time builds trust and confidence.

When Medication Helps

Sometimes extra support is needed.

Natural calming products like Skullcap & Valerian or supplements like YuMove Calm can help — but they need about a month to take effect.

For pets with severe anxiety or fear aggression, we can prescribe gentle medications such as Trazodone or Gabapentin to be given the night before. These aren’t tranquilizers — they help your pet stay calm enough to build positive new associations with the vets.

Train for a Muzzle Ahead of Time

If your dog might need a muzzle, help them see it as no big deal.

• Smear dog-safe peanut butter inside a soft muzzle (like a Mikki brand).
• Let your dog lick and sniff it before gently placing it on for a moment.
• Gradually increase how long it stays on, rewarding each time.
• This prevents extra stress if a muzzle is needed during the visit.

After the Vet: Let Them Decompress

After a vet visit, give your pet quiet time to unwind. Skip the park or energetic play — let them relax at home with no toys or rough play for an hour or two. Calm time helps them reset.

Fear-Free in Action

One of our wonderful clients recently used some of these techniques for her nervous dog — they waited in the car until we buzzed her in, she calmly walked her dog in while giving treats every few steps to keep their focus, and she used her dog’s favourite licky mat for distraction during treatment. Her dog barely noticed the injection and everyone was very relaxed by the end of the appointment.

We’re Here to Help

Every pet deserves a stress-free vet visit. If you’d like help creating a fear-free plan for your pet, just let us know — we’re always happy to talk about options for making visits easier, calmer, and happier.

Contact us today to speak to Vet Rhian and learn more!