Making vet visits a positive or pleasant experience for our pets is indeed possible, since fear- and stress-free practices are now being implemented to help relax our furry friends during the exam and medical handling, using natural alternatives such as music therapy, aromatherapy, homeopathy, flower therapy, medicinal cannabis, and pheromones alongside behavioral therapy.
Let's keep in mind that at some point in our furry friends' lives it will be necessary to take them to the vet for a simple checkup, a vaccine, tests, or because they're sick or injured. Either way, we should understand that during the visit it's common for our pets to become restless, fearful, and very stressed, since not only does the discomfort of some ailment cause distress, but they're also faced with new smells (which often carry a message of fear and stress from other animals), the sounds of other patients' distress, unfamiliar people, and painful, uncomfortable clinical procedures — all of which they express through behaviors like vocalizing, trembling, escape attempts, growling, aggression, trying to hide, or relieving themselves.
Because of this, it's often hard to keep the vet clinic from becoming a phobia or a source of anxiety and tension for our furry companions. However, we can start to lessen these emotional effects and make the vet visit comfortable and little to no; stress for the pet, the veterinarian, and their companion or guardian.
First and foremost, it's key to build a positive association from puppyhood (whenever possible), since at this life stage it's much easier to build a pleasant bond with the vet — that's why it's important during this period to make regular, short visits just to say hello and get familiar with the clinic, where they're welcomed with very appealing treats and given playful activities with lots of petting and affection.
If we already have a very nervous, tense furry friend, we can support these visits with the prior and ongoing use of our flower blend Siu Peace and Calm, giving 4 drops 6 times a day or mixing 10 drops into their drinking water for at least 15 days before the likely vet visit, or even if our furry friend is hospitalized, to reduce their stress; likewise, using the Peace and Calm flower blend spray works positively during the ride to the clinic (especially in cats and animals that are very nervous or afraid of the car) — ideally spray this flower essence around the crate, on the blanket, or in the vehicle before and during the ride, since this flower blend is very useful for creating states of calm and serenity, reducing anxiety and overexcitement, becoming an excellent alternative for lowering tension so our furry friends arrive more relaxed at the visit.
Another very effective technique to help your furry friend arrive less agitated at their vet checkup is to take them for a walk beforehand — if it's a cat, you can play with their favorite toy — it's also important to cover their carrier or crate with a towel or blanket (lightly infused with relaxing essences) to reduce stressful sights and sounds, lessening the negative impact of leaving the house.
Likewise, we can pair flower therapy with the use of lavender essential oil, play relaxing music, and practice calming activities like giving a massage before arriving at the vet. We can also ask the vets to use pheromones in the exam room — these molecules offer great benefit, since they promote relaxation and calm.
Along with these techniques, we should ask the medical staff to give our furry friends their favorite treat or very appealing snacks during the exam and handling, so we can distract them and keep them from feeling so uncomfortable and invaded by physical contact — this is perhaps the friendliest way for our pets to associate the vet and their shots with the arrival of their favorite treats — a good experience!
Last but not least, as caretakers of our furry friends it's essential that our own emotional state stay calm — don't forget to breathe and relax. Your stress won't necessarily make your furry friend stressed, but it probably won't help improve the situation either. Stay calm and don't scold them or push them to do what they don't want, accompany them and try not to reinforce their fears — remember that our furry friends also pick up on our emotions, and if they notice fear or nerves in us at that moment, they'll surely feel more fearful, insecure, and intimidated, and react negatively. Our presence should give our beloved furry friends security, calm, and companionship.
Our flower essences are great emotional support for your pet. Learn about our line of flower blends at www.siuesencias.com
Angie Torres – Veterinarian