Anxiety During Vet Visits

Some dogs love going to the vet as they know they will get plenty of petting and treats. Unfortunately, far more are terrified of going to the vet, knowing there are needles and strangers will be restraining them. Also, vet visits are accompanied by an illness or pain, so your dog is already uncomfortable before you even get to the clinic. There are many causes of anxiety during clinic visits, and also many ways you can work with your dog to help make trips to the vet less stressful.

There are many causes of vet anxiety. Some dogs have a lifelong fear due to illness as a puppy that required extensive treatment – they were conditioned to think every vet visit would be long and traumatic. Others are afraid of anything painful that comes with the visit. Unfortunately, we cannot explain what is happening to a dog, so something as simple as a vaccine can be very scary; it helps them, but all they know is that it causes a moment of pain. Furthermore, a lot of dogs are already in pain when they come into the clinic, and the exam may exacerbate that pain for a brief moment while the vet is diagnosing the cause of the pain. Many dogs are also afraid of the new and unknown aspects of a vet visit, especially the people. For example, they see many new people who have to help restrain them for various parts of the exam and treatments. The restraint can also feel weird to them; they are used to getting belly rubs and ear scratches in a loving way at home, but not being held in place while a vet draws blood. Vets also have a lot of chemicals and medications stored in the clinic, many of which may have a bad smell to your dog. Finally, some dogs are just anxious in general, which can be made worse by a combination of everything mentioned above.

There are many different ways in which a dog can show their anxiety. One of the most common symptoms is fear aggression, which is exactly what it sounds like: when a dog acts aggressively in response to their fears and anxieties. This can manifest in a variety of ways, including growling, biting, and lunging. Some dogs respond to anxiety in the opposite way: being submissive. We often see dogs freezing in place, hiding wherever they can (under the exam table, behind chairs, behind their owners, etc.), and urinating submissively. There are also many anxiety displays in between aggression and submission, such as panting, pacing, raising their hair, and not cooperating. Luckily, vets and their staff are trained to recognize these displays and respond accordingly to ensure the safety of everyone in the room, especially your dog. They want to help your dog and know when enough is enough.

There are many different ways you can help ease your dog’s fear of the vet without medication.

• Positive reinforcement: One of the easiest ways is to introduce positive reinforcement during vet visits. The two most common ways to do this are with treats and by talking to your dog. While these two things make your dog feel more comfortable, they also serve as a form of distraction; your dog is less likely to care about getting a vaccine if they are licking a spoonful of peanut butter. If you know your dog has a sensitive stomach and want to avoid giving your dog the vet’s treats, you can always bring some from home. If your dog is not food motivated, try talking to them throughout the exam. Many dogs just want to please their owners, so if you tell them they are being good throughout the exam, they are more likely to cooperate.
• Exercise: Making sure your dog exercises before they go to the vet can help ease their mind. It will help ensure they are somewhat tired, and therefore have less energy to spend on anxious behaviors. It will also help make sure they are happy prior to going in.
• Rewarding after the visit: Another way to build a positive relationship with vet clinic visits is to reward your dog after the visit. After you leave, do something your dog enjoys; for example, go to the dog park, get a pup cup, or go to the pet store to get a new toy. Doing this consistently will build the connection in your dog’s mind that going to the vet means something good is coming after.
• Muzzling: Utilizing a muzzle may sound extreme, but they can be very helpful tools. They have the obvious benefit of preventing bites if your dog can be aggressive or unpredictable when anxious. Muzzles can also be a very useful distraction during exams. Similar to feeding treats, they help your dog focus on something other than what the vet is doing.
• Happy visits: Another way to build a positive relationship with going to the vet clinic is to go for happy visits. All this means is you go when your dog does not actually need to see a vet; simply walk your dog around the lobby and give them positive reinforcement. Chances are some of the staff members will help you by giving your dog treats, loving attention, and petting them, showing that the vet clinic does not need to be a scary place.
• Mobile vets: There are many mobile veterinary services where you can arrange for someone to come to your house. It allows your dog to be in a safe space without all of the stimuli that a vet clinic has. This is a great option for wellness visits and easy medical exams. However, not everything can be done at home (i.e. x-rays), so your dog may still need to visit a clinic.

Unfortunately, some dogs need more than just treats and exercise to be comfortable at the vet. There are many medication options that work in the short-term to allow your dog to feel more relaxed in the clinic environment. Your vet can give you more guidance if this is something you feel would be beneficial for your dog.

Veterinary Centers of America has a page explaining vet anxiety and how to train your dog to be less anxious at the vet. Find it here: VCA Reducing Fear of Veterinary Visits for Dogs

The American Kennel Club has a page explaining the basics of anxiety in dogs. See it here: AKC: Anxiety in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment

Best of luck helping reduce your dog’s fear of the vet!