A Trip to the Reading Vets Does Not Need to Be Harrowing!

     Taking your beloved pet to the vets practise can be a traumatic experience for both owner and animal. Sometimes you may even get the impression that your cowering canine, crying cat or frenzied ferret actually knows where you are headed!

Cats as their owners will inform you have a way of managing to hide when it comes to needing a trip to the vets clinic. This is usually down to the fact that the carry box has to come out of storage and the cat obviously associates this with a trip to the vets! So instead, why not keep the cat box out in the open? Place it somewhere where the cat can have access and get in at any time to have a quiet snooze. Make it an inviting place to be, by adding a blanket or towel and maybe some catnip. This way Kitty will find her own way into the box on a regular basis and then when it is time to go see the vet she will be happier being taken in a box she is more used to being in.

Animals easily pick up on owner emotions, so they know when we are stressed or unhappy. Therefore, any feelings of anxiety or stress regarding the vet's trip that we as ownders feel, can be passed unconsciously onto our pets. Hence it is vital that as owners we remain calm regarding the impending visit, this way our pets have a better chance of remaining in the same state themselves.

Some animals really do get rather het up upon visiting the vets clinic. If this happens then have a chat with your vet to discuss the many calming products on the market. These can help sooth your pet and aid in the relief of nerves, fear and for those that need it aggression!

Ensure that your animal gets used to going for rides in the car. By taking them on a quick spin around the block every now and again, they are less likely to associate a car journey solely with a trip to the vets. Open the window, put the radio on, and make it a soothing pleasant experience for both of you. Then when you arrive home once again reward your pet with a treat.

In order to get your pet used to being handled by the vet, touch them as much as possible in preparation for the vet's contact. It is also a good idea to get them used to being handled by strangers as well. So try and get as many people as possible to pet them. In addition, regularly handle their feet, ears, and mouth as if you were inspecting them. This will make it easier for the vet to do a thorough physical examination, without your pet playing up.

Following the trip to the vets, ensure you reward your pet. Make a fuss of them and give them a treat.