5 Ways to Reduce Your Dog’s Stress During Vaccinations

5 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR DOG’S STRESS DURING VACCINATIONS

Vets love animals but the reverse is not always true. Our pets can get stressed visiting the vet clinic. Here are 5 ways to reduce your dog’s stress during vaccinations, thanks to Dr Max from The Veterinary Hospital in Dubai…

Does your dog become restless every time you visit the vet? Your pooch is not alone in this case. In fact, many dogs act this way in fear of getting vaccination shots.

What are the causes of your dog’s fear?

Dogs are aware of the routine. After a dog’s first visit, he very quickly learns what to expect on the next visit. Most dogs are anxious about visiting the vet because of the following reasons.

• Discomfort
  Some dogs aren’t comfortable with strangers touching them. This is why it’s important to make vet visits enjoyable as early as possible, so start them young.
• Negative Experiences
  The dog’s fear of going to the vet may be because of how they relate the place to unpleasant procedures. If you only bring your dog to the vet for painful shots, then it’s natural for him to fear vet trips.

It’s vital to know which vaccines your dog needs earlier and start taking your dog to the vet during his puppy-hood days. Through proper conditioning, you can make your dog understand that shots are nothing to fear.

To start off, the five tips below will help make your next visits to the vet more bearable, even enjoyable, for your furry friend.

1. Act as the vet.

If you have a puppy, counter the factor that makes vet visits scary by thinking how the vet will handle your dog. Make your puppy comfortable with the procedures in a relaxing environment at home. Inspect his teeth and open his mouth then pop a delightful treat.

Make your pooch realize that weird touches are not only safe but also show that he’ll have a delicious treat right after. You can also ask your friend to touch your dog to help your pup understand that touches from strangers are generally safe.

2. Choose a vet who connects with your dog.

If you dislike how your vet treats your dog, then by all means get another one. When your dog doesn’t like a vet, find one who is understanding and is enthusiastic to work with your nervous pup. Just because your vet handles your other dogs doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll be a good fit for all dogs.

3. Pay close attention to the vet’s behavior.

Besides your pet’s behavior, you also have to consider how your vet acts towards your dog. A vet who handles animals in a rush may not be good for anxious dogs. If this is the case, ask your vet to handle your pup gently.

Don’t hesitate to switch vets if they can’t cater to your request to handle your nervous dog tenderly. A vet with a gentle touch can examine a wary dog more carefully and thoroughly which will have a positive outcome on your pup’s health.