Pheromones can help
Feliway spray contains pheromones which act as reassuring messages to your cat. As a consequence, they help calm your cat and control undesirable behaviour. Humans can’t detect it but cats can. Use Feliway spray to spray the cat carrier, and the scent will have a calming effect. You can spray the carrier at home and in the vets waiting room.
Adaptil spray is a similar product but for dogs.
On the day of the visit
Leave plenty of time to get to the practice. Don’t rush. If you are stressed then your pet will get stressed. Keep your own anxiety in check as pets can pick up on this. Speak more slowly and soothingly to your pet and if possible add personal touches such as bringing your pet’s favourite toy and blanket.
Treats can be useful but avoid these if your pet might require an empty stomach for an anaesthetic. You might also find that if you limit food beforehand, treats are more effective.
If your pet likes fresh air, waiting outside or staying in the car rather than in the vet’s waiting room can help reduce stress.
We also have separate dog and cat wards for inpatients and we use pheromone diffusers throughout our waiting areas, consultation rooms and inpatient wards.
Meow-sic and Bach
Please excuse the terrible pun, however, another important tip is playing music which has been scientifically designed to relieve stress in dogs and cats, we use these in our kennels and cat wards to soothe patients in recovery.
You can download stress relieving music and soundscape albums to relax your pets – we use these in our practices.
Calming music for dogs:
Stress relieving music for cats