By Jayden Polk
For a lot of pets (and their owners), a trip to the vet can feel stressful. From the car ride to the exam room, there are lots of new sights, smells, and experiences. Fortunately, with some planning, you can facilitate a more peaceful, straightforward, and even pleasant experience for your pet during these visits. Here are our key suggestions for ensuring a stress-free trip to the vet:
1. Before Your Appointment
A little planning ahead goes a long way:
- Confirm your appointment details and arrive a few minutes early to avoid rushing.
- Bring medical records or medications if your pet is new to our clinic or has recent changes in care.
- Limit food if needed. Unless otherwise instructed, avoid feeding a large meal right before the appointment. Pets are often more responsive to treats when they’re a little hungry.
- Pack the essentials: carrier, leash, comfort items, and favorite treats.
2. Get Your Pet Comfortable with Travel
Help your pet see travel as a positive experience.
Dogs: Take short, positive car rides that don’t always end at the vet (like going to the park or drive-thru). Reward calm behavior with treats or praise. Cornell University veterinarians recommend gradual exposure and positive reinforcement to make car travel easier.
Cats: Carriers are often the biggest hurdle for cats, so start early. Leave the carrier out year-round in a familiar spot so it feels like part of their everyday environment, not just a “vet day” item. Make it inviting with soft bedding and occasional treats, and even serve meals inside to build a positive association. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends removing the top of hard-shelled carriers to make them more open and comfortable.
Once your cat is comfortable with the carrier, take short practice trips around the house or to the car so they learn it doesn’t always mean a vet visit. On appointment day, cover the carrier with a light towel or blanket to reduce visual stress, use calming pheromone sprays like Feliway®, and play soft music (classical or lofi) during the ride. Always lift the carrier with two hands, supporting the base for stability. In the car, place it on the floorboard behind the seat, where it’s safest and most stable.
3. Practice at Home
Helping your pet get used to gentle handling at home can make a big difference during veterinary exams. Many pets become anxious when their paws, ears, or mouth are touched because it only happens at the vet. By practicing these “medical touches” in a calm, positive way at home, your pet learns they’re nothing to fear.
- Start slow and short. Begin with just a few seconds of touch, such as gently lifting a paw or looking in an ear, and immediately reward with a treat.
- Pair with positive reinforcement. Use praise, petting, or high-value treats every time you handle a new area. This helps your pet form a happy association with being examined.
- Work up gradually. Once your pet is comfortable with brief touches, slowly increase both the length and type of handling. For example, hold a paw a little longer, gently open the mouth, or lift the tail as if taking a temperature. Expanding these “practice touches” step by step helps your pet feel calm and confident when the vet does the same during an exam.
- Use common tools. If you have a toothbrush, nail trimmer, or even a soft towel, let your pet sniff and experience them so vet tools aren’t as scary later.
- Keep sessions short and fun. A minute or two is enough; end on a positive note with playtime, cuddles, or a favorite activity.
- By making “practice exams” part of your pet’s normal routine, you’ll reduce their stress and build their confidence when it’s time for a real visit.
4. Schedule a “Happy Visit”
Some clinics (including ours!) welcome non-medical visits where pets can stop by to say hello, get some love from the staff, and enjoy a treat (no needles, no exams). The AKC encourages these “fun visits” as a way to help pets build positive associations with the clinic.
5. Bring a Comfort Item with You.
Bring a favorite toy, blanket, or even a piece of your clothing. Familiar scents help pets feel safe and secure.
6. Use Treats and Positive Reinforcement
Bring high-value treats your pet loves. Our team is also happy to use your pet’s treat “menu” to keep them comfortable and motivated throughout the exam.
7. Share Important Information with Us
Every pet is unique. Let us know if your pet has special needs, dislikes nail trims, gets nervous around other animals, or has allergies. The more we know, the better we can prepare for a smooth visit.
8. Time It Right
Book your pet’s appointment at a quieter time of day when possible. Fewer animals in the waiting area can mean a calmer start to your visit. Many clinics, including ours, can also bring patients directly into exam rooms if space is available (this helps reduce lobby stress). Please call us if you have any questions or concerns about the best time to schedule or how to bring your pet in comfortably.
9. Stay Calm Yourself
Pets mirror our emotions. If you’re calm and relaxed, they’re more likely to feel safe. Take deep breaths, use a gentle upbeat tone, and reassure your pet with affection.
10. Ask About Fear Free® Techniques
Our team is trained in Fear Free methods to make visits easier, such as pheromone sprays, gentle handling, and quiet exam rooms. Fear Free experts also recommend carrying carriers like fragile packages, preparing your car with calming music, and even waiting in your car until the exam room is ready if your pet is anxious.
Final Thoughts
With preparation, patience, and teamwork, vet visits can be made less stressful. By building positive associations now, you’ll make each trip easier for both your pet and yourself. Our goal is to always provide the best possible care while keeping your furry family member happy, healthy, and stress-free.
Helpful Resources
American Animal Hospital Association. “7 Steps for a Stress-Free Veterinary Visit.” AAHA, 5 Mar. 2020, www.aaha.org/resources/how-can-my-pet-have-stress-free-veterinary-visits/.
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. “How to Make Veterinary Visits Less Stressful for Dogs.” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 2024, www.vet.cornell.edu/how-make-veterinary-visits-less-stressful-dogs.
Fear Free. “How to Prepare Your Pet for a Veterinary Visit.” Fear Free Happy Homes, Fear Free, www.fearfreehappyhomes.com.
Gibeault, Stephanie. “How to Make Vet Visits (Almost) Stress-Free for Your Dog.” American Kennel Club, 23 June 2021, www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/make-vet-visits-stress-free/.
Lombardi, Linda. “Teach Your Cat to Go into a Carrier—without a Struggle.” Fear Free Happy Homes, 26 Nov. 2018, www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/teach-your-cat-to-go-into-a-carrier-without-a-struggle/.