If you answered yes to these questions, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, according to a recent study, 78% of dogs and 73% of cats experience fear or distress when visiting the vet. At Dr. Kathy’s Veterinary Care, it’s our mission to make trips to the vet a positive, fear-free experience for everyone. That’s why we are proud to be a certified Ceva Calm Clinic.
We begin by reducing and/or eliminating many of the factors that can make an animal feel uneasy. This includes steps such as making our clinic smell more pleasant and limiting the time pets have to spend waiting in the reception area. Our team also practices gentle handling techniques, which help to calm nervous pets so we can eventually earn their trust.
We’ll also work with you to help reduce the feelings of fear and anxiety often associated with vet visits that may be triggered at home. For example, we can provide recommendations on things like getting your cat accustomed to the carrier and making car rides a more positive experience.
Lastly, we always encourage bringing your companion into our facility from time to time just to say ‘hello’. This allows us the opportunity to build trust and create positive, happy interactions that can replace prior negative experiences.
At Dr. Kathy’s Veterinary Care, our goal is to make visits to the vet something that your pet not only tolerates, but actually enjoys. If you’ve had bad experiences in the past or have a pet who struggles with vet visit anxiety, get in touch. We can develop a customized strategy to help you and your pet overcome those feelings of fear once and for all.