Veterinary visits can be stressful for both animals and caregivers. While the focus is often on physical diagnosis and treatment, the emotional welfare of the patient while at the practice is just as important. Stress can not only hinder examinations and procedures but also affect patient welfare and client compliance (Carroll et al., 2022). However, small practical adjustments can allow veterinary professionals to significantly reduce stress for dogs, cats and rabbits.
1. Manage canine scent signals outside the practice
Dogs often urinate after a vet visit, and that urine is likely to contain cortisol (Beerda et al., 1996). When other dogs smell it on their way in, it can create a negative feedback loop (Pageat and Gaultier, 2003; Mills et al., 2012; Herron and Shreyer, 2014). Regularly washing down these areas with an enzymatic cleaner will help keep the entrance more neutral.
2. Choose species-appropriate examination surfaces
As a rule of thumb, examine and treat dogs and rabbits on the floor, and cats on the table. Rabbits risk injury if they jump from a height, and dogs and rabbits feel more stable with four paws on the ground (Döring et al., 2009), while cats generally feel safer above floor level. Avoid slippery surfaces and examine them on the animal’s own bedding (or owner’s lap if that is the animal’s preference) (Moffat, 2008; Ellis et al., 2013). Cats can remain in the bottom half of their carrier, if relevant (Anseeuw et al., 2006; Rodan et al., 2011). Dogs and cats can also be given the opportunity to explore the examination area (leaving cats the chance to exit the carrier themselves) (Pratsch et al., 2018). You can use this time to build client rapport (including complimenting their pet!) and take relevant history.
3. Minimise restraint
Tactile distraction can overshadow the brief discomfort of a needle
Physical restraint can escalate stress. Tactile distraction can overshadow the brief discomfort of a needle (Pratsch et al., 2020): ask someone to scratch around the face and head while administering an injection. Give the animal regular breaks in between each stage of the examination and treatment process (Moffat, 2008; Riemer et al., 2021), so that dogs have a chance to shake off and cats can do a quick “stress-relief” groom.
4. Always replace needles before injecting
A needle blunts even from piercing a vial’s rubber stopper. Swapping to a fresh needle before injecting makes the procedure less painful for the patient (Overall, 2013).
5. Make friends with Emla cream
Topical anaesthetic cream (eg Emla) can be invaluable for blood draws or catheter placement (Van Oostrom and Knowles, 2018; Crisi et al., 2021). Plan ahead with in-patients or scheduled consults, so there is time for the numbing effect to kick in. This is usually around 30 minutes for cats and 60 minutes for dogs (Van Oostrom and Knowles, 2018; Crisi et al., 2021).
6. Keep bonded rabbits together
Separating bonded rabbits can cause significant stress and irreversible altercations when one is returned to the territory. Ask clients to bring both in, even if only one requires treatment. This helps reduce stress, supports their recovery and prevents issues during reintroduction attempts.
7. Reintroduce cohabiting pets carefully at home
Cats and dogs will carry a different scent profile after a vet visit, which can confuse cohabiting pets. Advise clients to allow their returning pet to reacclimatise in a separate space before reintroducing them to same-species companions. This allows the returning pet to decompress from the stress of the visit and the smell of the vet practice to dissipate.
8. Limit unnecessary touching of dogs
A positively aroused dog is no easier to handle than a negatively aroused dog
Unfamiliar touch can overstimulate a dog, especially when they are already feeling anxious. In the author’s experience, anxious dogs are often mislabelled as “excited”. Reception staff can still build rapport with clients and engage with dogs calmly without touching them (Lloyd, 2017). In addition, a positively aroused dog is no easier to handle than a negatively aroused dog. It’s also useful to have treats available in reception to point clients towards (Moffat, 2008).
9. Streamline check-out logistics
When multiple adults attend an appointment, staff can suggest one wait outside with the pet while the other pays for services received. Solo cat owners can place the carrier on the reception desk instead of the floor while settling their bill, to help cats feel safer during this time.
10. Avoid face-to-face approaches
Head-on examination approaches can feel threatening (Herron and Shreyer, 2014). So, when examining an animal, orientate sideways-on where possible, facing the same direction as the animal. Avoid leaning directly into the animal’s space – this includes reaching a hand out to “let them sniff” (Yin, 2009). Instead, try to shift body weight away from the animal. When looking at the eyes, examine them from as great a distance as possible.
11. Let owners help with small touches
If you only need to observe, ask the owner to lift an ear or paw rather than doing it yourself. This reduces unfamiliar people from having to handle the animal any more than needed and can make the patient more cooperative (Howell and Feyrecilde, 2018).
12. Never scruff cats or flip rabbits
Scruffing and turning rabbits onto their backs may create stillness, but it’s a fear response (McBride et al., 2006; Rodan et al., 2011; Moody et al., 2018, 2020). Instead, use towel wraps when needed to preserve patient trust and safety (Yin, 2009).
13. Use anxiolytics proactively
Don’t reserve short-acting psychoactive medication for the most extreme cases. Timely use of anxiolytics can make examinations smoother, safer and less distressing for everyone (Herron and Shreyer, 2014; Howell and Feyrecilde, 2018; Hammerle et al., 2015).
14. Avoid waiting-room stress
A food-order pager system allows clients to wait in cars or outside. This avoids stress building in reception – even in an empty room, the smells, sounds and previous associations mean the animal will likely start to feel anxious while waiting (Van Vertloo et al., 2021). This will have an impact on the individual’s ability to cope with examination and treatment in the consult room.
15. Encourage familiar scent items
Ask owners to bring in a blanket, towel or worn clothing item. Examining pets on their familiar scent article can reduce stress (Shin and Shin, 2016; Ellis et al., 2013), and in-patient animals can keep the item in kennels (net laundry bags help keep them identifiable to avoid them being lost or put through the wash) (Arhant et al., 2013).
16. Weigh dogs at the end
One study found weighing to be a source of stress for 50 percent of dogs (Hernander, 2008). Save weighing until after the exam if possible. By then, the most critical information has already been gathered without risking stress escalation before examination (Squair et al., 2023).
17. Offer a buffet of treats
Stock up consult rooms with a variety of treats: crunchy biscuits, soft morsels or lickable pastes (Overall, 2013; Lloyd, 2017; Riemer et al., 2021). Use them liberally before, during and after procedures (Yin, 2007; Westlund, 2015; Howell and Feyrecilde, 2018). For muzzled dogs, smear paste inside a basket-style muzzle, so they willingly place their nose inside (Yin, 2009; Herron and Shreyer, 2014). Nil-by-mouth dogs can still enjoy frozen low-salt stock in paper cups or ice cube trays to lick during pre-med administration.
18. Keep detailed behaviour notes
A dedicated behaviour section in clinical records is invaluable. Note what strategies worked, which treats the patient preferred and details like muzzle size or handling sensitivities. Avoid vague labels like “care”; instead, be specific and leave actionable notes to help colleagues in the future (Herron and Shreyer, 2014).
19. Provide hiding spaces for cats and rabbits
Hospitalised cats and rabbits cope better when they can retreat into a box or covered area (Lloyd, 2017). Cover kennel fronts if other animals are in view or if located in an area with lots of activity, to reduce visual stressors and promote rest (Yin, 2009; Anseeuw et al., 2006).
20. Use species-specific pheromones and calming aids
Synthetic pheromones (such as dog appeasing pheromone diffusers, feline facial pheromone sprays or plug-ins, or rabbit-safe calming products) can help reduce stress in the clinic environment (Mills et al., 2006; Kronen et al., 2006; Siracusa et al., 2010; Pereira et al., 2016). Place diffusers in waiting rooms, consult areas and kennels. Sprays should be used on bedding 15 minutes before exposing the animal. Combined with other low-stress handling strategies, they can make the environment feel safer for patients (Pereira et al., 2016).
Final thoughts
Stress-free visits aren’t just about ‘being nice’ to animals and caregivers: they’re about clinical efficiency, better outcomes and a calmer working day for everyone involved
Veterinary visits will inevitably involve moments of discomfort for patients, but by reducing stress wherever possible, the animal’s emotional welfare can be protected, client trust strengthened and the job made easier and safer. Many of the above tips require little more than forethought and consistency, but their impact can be profound.
Stress-free visits aren’t just about “being nice” to animals and caregivers: they’re about clinical efficiency, better outcomes and a calmer working day for everyone involved.
