Make Your Pets Vaccination Visit As Comfortable As Possible
ShareIf you recently welcomed a new dog or cat into your home, you have probably read a great deal of information about the importance of vaccinations. It is hard to avoid this step since it is a critical tool for helping keep animals safe, but it does not erase the fact that the process can be scary for some pets. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make the process go smoother for your pet; learn how.
Treats
Make sure you bring a treat or two for your pet to enjoy. Before and after the vaccination, a treat can help settle and distract your pet from everything happening. However, to make this method more effective, your pet should not be starving before their appointment.
Instead, at their last meal before their visit, feed the animal slightly less than you would typically, but speak to the veterinarian to ensure it is okay first. If the dog or cat is slightly hungry, they will be more receptive to the snacks, whereas if they are full, they may not be interested.
Clinic vs. Visit
Suppose you have a very young kitten or puppy or an older dog that is less sociable or timid. In that case, you might opt for a traditional vaccination appointment with a veterinarian instead of a large clinic setting. For example, some clinics have open vaccination periods, in which there are multiple animals receiving pet vaccinations at the same time.
For some pets, this larger number of people and animals can cause anxiety and stress. A traditional appointment in a private exam room with just the veterinarian might be a more suitable environment for more vulnerable pets.
Personal Items
If your dog or cat is anything like the average animal, they likely have an item or two they like to snuggle up with or keep around, such as a toy or blanket. One thing you can do to keep your pet more comfortable is to bring one of these items with you.
While the pet waits for their vaccination, you can keep these items close by and return them once the vaccination process is complete. If you decide to transport your animal in a carrier to the visit, you can leave these items inside their carrier, which will help designate the carrier as a safe place for the animal.
Vaccinations are essential, but it is just as important to make your dog or cat as comfortable as possible, so be sure to consider these tips.