Tricks of the Trade: Fear-Free Veterinary Strategies

by Mary Simpson

Published: July 22nd, 2019

tricks of the trade fear free veterinary strategies

A trip to the vet? No thank you! If your dog hates going to see the veterinarian, there are things you can do to ensure a less stressful visit.

Kids learn about “stranger danger” when they’re young and similarly, our pets learn early on that those people in white coats that speak a language they don’t understand and then poke, prod and sometimes hurt them, are something they want to avoid. And while my cats couldn’t give a toss about the actual check-up, they run for cover each time the dreaded carrier is brought up from the basement. Of course, once in the car, the deep howling takes place along with stress-messing that leaves me apologizing to the vet as we attempt to extract a stinky kitty from an enclosure that she now deems her safe space. (More on what we can do to help de-stress our pets prior to leaving home, is included below.)

So, whether your furry companion is of the canine or feline variety, being handled in unfamiliar surroundings is a frightening experience for them and an unsettling one for us as caring pet parents.

That’s where Fear Free veterinary care enters the picture. Clinics throughout North America are being trained and certified to deliver a less scary experience for our pets. It’s not just the veterinarian who receives training, but the technicians, receptionists and even the clinic itself that is made to be more welcoming for anxious clients of the four-legged variety. And it doesn’t stop there because this type of schooling can be delivered to animal groomers, trainers and even pet sitters who interact directly with your pet.

How does it work? Simply put, it’s a series of strategies that are used to calm your pet upon arrival to the clinic and during the examination process. But while you’ll see that many of these steps are easy to do and relatively inexpensive to put in place, not all clinics offer this type of support service. In fact, a Fear Free certified veterinary clinic will have had to complete 9 hours of related education with testing and annual updates via a continuing education program. So, you can rest assured that those handling your pet will always be on top of the latest research and calming techniques.

Now, you’ll be wondering what some of these strategies are so here are just a few:

Non-slip floor surfaces. That, or well-placed entry mats so your pet doesn’t do the splits the moment he enters the clinic. This is particularly important if you have a pooch that tends to tug and pull when on his lead. When he falls, he feels out of control and this is an instant stressor for dogs – particularly when in unfamiliar surroundings.
Pheromones. These pleasing aromas (typically plug-ins) can help to neutralize the many scents your pet is picking up as soon as he walks through the clinic door. From the stress of other animals to antiseptics and various cleaning solutions. Any of these smells can cause your pet to become highly reactive as he tries to make sense of it all.
Calming music. Dogs yipping in the back and cats howling from their carriers can cause unnecessary anxiety for your pet. Calming music that is specifically suited – and sometimes even created – for animals can be instantly soothing. Sounds such as a piano, cello or any single instrument that delivers a soft, lower tone will prove particularly relaxing.
Distractions during the examination process can go a long way in accomplishing the task at hand and prevent undue stress on your pet. I’ve never met a dog that won’t respond positively to a treat or maybe a little brushing behind the ears or along his favorite spot. It’s all about creating more positive than negative moments during your pet’s visit.

And here are some tips for pet owners to help make the journey to the vet, more enjoyable.

Ensure your pet is hungry when you head out for his visit to the vet. No brekkie in the morning means that when you arrive at the clinic and he is handed his favorite treat (either by you or the vet), he’s connecting the visit with something positive and, dare I say, something he can look forward to?
If on arrival you have to wait, why not have your pet stay in the car (temperatures permitting) or ask to sit in the examination room with him so that unfamiliar stimuli are no longer present. For me, it also allows me a little one-on-one time with my pet to help reassure her that she’s safe as she sniffs and explores.
Space permitting, it can be a good idea to leave your pet carrier out for them to enjoy year-round. Especially felines, who consider it a safe, cozy place where they can snooze and watch the world go by. By making it available to them for pleasant past-times, you eliminate the negative association when it is suddenly appears from storage.
If your pet has to stay over night or for a longer period of time where you won’t be present, be sure to bring along his favorite blanket or even an unwashed t-shirt you have recently worn. His superior sense of smell will pick up on your scent and this will deliver that comforting, familiar smell of home that helps him feel safe.

For my crew, the veterinarian kisses the top of their head just prior to picking them up and taking them away for blood-work or x-rays. He does this for any procedure that will take them out of my sight (or me, from their sight). This simple gesture seems to bring them great comfort as they willingly disappear to places behind closed doors. My super-skittish Schnoodle – who was shaking uncontrollably while she sat on the examination table – was relaxed and wagging her tail on return from having tests done. Go figure.

Does your vet use fear-free practices when interacting with your pet? If not, it may be time to shop around.

Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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According to ASPCA, These Are The Top 10 Pet Toxins of 2023

No matter how careful you are, accidents happen – this is particularly true when it comes to pet  poisoning cases. Not only that cats and dogs have some uncanny ability to get into stuff that they’re not supposed to get into, but you also can’t always know what things could be a potential toxin to them. And believe us when we say, there are a lot of potential pet toxins in an average household!The annual report by the  ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC)  only goes to prove this. Each year, they examine all the compiled data to determine which are the most commonly encountered pet toxins each year. It helps keep owners aware of the threats, and to keep vets always one step ahead. In 2023, the APCC was extra busy, having received hundreds of thousands of calls about items and substances that pets were exposed to. Incredibly, these substances totaled over 351,000!Even though they were contacted about such an imposing number of potentially hazardous substances, they managed to narrow down the most common culprits and compile the list of top 10 pet toxins in 2023, which will serve as a great reminder of what to look out for.Over-the-counter medications, including cold and flu medicines, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and vitamins and supplements. With 16.8% exposure, these medications are the number one threat in 2023. Almost every home has some sort of medications stored, and they aren’t always expertly hidden. Accidentally, pets can discover them and suffer many dire consequences if they ingest them. Human food and drink are almost equally as dangerous, with 16.2% reported calls. A lot of what we consume daily is toxic to pets. This can range from common items such as raisins, onions, garlic, grapes, or sweets, to more rare items such as protein drinks and bars, xylitol gums, and energy drinks. If your pet gets their paws on any of these, it can end up in an emergency vet visit. Prescription medications for humans are very dangerous to pets, and many reports were made in regard to inhalers, ADHD medications, heart medications, and similar. Prescription medications are often strong drugs and definitely not meant for pets.Chocolate is the number 4 threat for 2023. A staggering 13% of calls were related to this sweet. Dogs are mostly found consuming it as cats do not have sweet taste buds or the appetite of dogs. Still, chocolate is not meant for pets and can cause many side effects.Veterinary products are at number 5 with 8.3% reported exposures. Callers reported ingestion of chewable tablets or soft chews, many of them used for calming pets. Owners are urged to keep medicines locked away, as pets can like their sweet taste and go after them when you are not looking. Plants and fungi accounted for 8.1% of exposures. Dogs are inquisitive and can find these plants on their outdoor adventures. But many plants can cause a threat to dogs, so make sure to acquaint yourself with a list of toxic plants to look out for.Household products are also on this list, with 7.1% of exposures reported. Pets consumed various dangerous items, such as deoxidizer packets, batteries, and various miscellanea lying around the house. Be aware of what’s lying around that’s easy to reach.Rodenticides are a major threat to pets. People can use poisons to get rid of pests, but our pets don’t know that. If they ingest them, it can be extremely dangerous, leading to kidney failure, bleeding, and even death. When you are out on walks, always be careful what is lying around. Insecticides are almost the same. People use bug sprays, ant baits, and poisonous powders all over the place. Always make sure that the area you are in is free from anything that can be a threat to your pet. Recreational drugs are last but not least. With substances such as marijuana becoming increasingly legal, pets can come in contact with them as well. But there are also hallucinogenic substances such as mushrooms, especially psilocybin, and muscarine, which can be very harmful to pets. 

How to Train a Cat to Wear a Collar

Whether you want to take your cat on outdoor adventures or want to be sure your kitty will be easier to find if they dart out the door, a cat collar can give you peace of mind. The tricky part is training your feline to wear a collar. Although this can be a little challenging, it isn’t impossible, and some cats take to it more readily than others.Keep reading to learn about some of the ways to get your cat used to wearing a collar.

Teeth Grinding in Cats: Why It Happens

You already know that people sometimes grind their teeth, but did you know that bruxism can occur in cats, too? This can be caused by pain in the mouth or body, so it is important to have your kitty examined by a veterinarian if you notice the symptoms of bruxism.What is bruxism in cats, what causes it, and what can be done about it? Keep reading to learn a bit about feline bruxism so you’ll know how to recognize it.

Missing 80-Year-Old Woman Found Thanks to Her Loyal Dog

The dedication and loyalty shown by “man’s best friend” has been long documented, from tales of heroic police K9s protecting their handlers to dedicated service dogs. But a recent story out of Utah shows just how far a loving dog will go to keep their person safe.The Emery County Sheriff’s Office in east-central Utah received a report of a missing 80-year-old woman. The elderly woman from Colorado had been visiting family when she took the family dog for a walk and never returned. Even more concerning, the missing woman had dementia. Recognizing this was a high-risk situation, a search was quickly organized, including multiple rescue crews, Ralph Mitchell, a local neighbor and friend of the family, James Thomas, a K9 Officer with the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources, and his canine partner, K9 Kip. It was a multi-agency effort to locate the woman quickly. Temperatures in the area rose to nearly 100 degrees during the day and dropped to 55 degrees at night. The situation was dire. The hot daytime temperatures slowed the search, forcing the teams to work when it was safe at night. After searching continuously for two days and two nights, Thomas and K9 Kip heard a dog barking briefly around 3:30 AM. Listening carefully, they tried to follow the sound but were unable to find the dog before it stopped. Thomas wasn’t the only one who heard the barking—Mitchell heard it, too! “When I was out checking the outbuildings, I heard a dog bark, and it was brief,” Mitchell explained. “I was in a very good position to get a direction on where this dog bark was coming from.” While Mitchell wasn’t able to pinpoint the bark's exact location, he was able to determine an approximate zone. On day three, the search crews accessed security cameras in the area, scanning the footage for any sign of the woman. Much to their surprise, they spotted her walking with her dog, heading east. “It was the first evidence that we had of her presence, and it gave us a timeline of when she was out walking and how long she’d been missing,” Mitchell stated. Focusing their efforts on the area they had seen her walking toward, the searchers split up and covered as much ground as they could. Not long into the search, they heard the sound again—barking. This time, they were able to follow the barks over steep, rugged terrain that had already been ruled out as too challenging for a woman of her age. Against all odds, there she was. On day three, they found her lying, fast asleep, with her face down. Her dog, 5-year-old chocolate lab Elsie, was lying beside her, sounding the alarm with her barks to call for help. While the two were dirty and dehydrated, they were in surprisingly good shape. Elsie had shown her loyalty to the family, keeping the woman safe and calling for help. In fact, searchers credited the dog with saving the woman’s life. It was a happy ending and a beautiful example of the true power of the loving bond that exists between a dog and their person. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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