10 Things You Shouldn't Do at the Veterinarian's Office

Some pets enjoy vet visits, but many do not. They can’t comprehend that the procedures and medications they get at the vet clinic are for their own health and well-being.

However, there are several ways you can help make the experience at the veterinarian’s office easier for your pets as well as for you and the staff.

So let’s look at what not to do at the veterinarian’s office.

1. Assume Good Behavior in Your Pets

We all like to think our own pets are the best four-legged creatures to walk the Earth.

Unfortunately, it’s common and normal for pets to show a completely different side at the veterinarian’s office, especially if they’ve never been to that clinic before or they remember a previous negative veterinary visit.

Cats can have difficulty with a change in environment, especially if they live strictly indoors. It helps to take things slow. You may also want to search for a Fear Free-certified clinic.

Let dogs sniff around if they are on a leash. Use many positive reinforcement cues, such as treats, and verbal praise.

If your pet has not been to the vet’s office before, let the staff know it’s their first visit.

Knowing that most dogs might be stressed or anxious at the vet office, they might not exhibit their normal behaviors. If your dog is comfortable meeting new people (always ask first), then it should be OK to introduce them to the staff in a controlled manner.

If your dog tends to be more nervous or scared around new people, it’s always OK to provide them with minimal interaction expect for the necessary staff examining or treating your pup.

2. Not Use a Leash

Please do not think that your lovable pet does not need a leash for their veterinary visit.

You never know what your dog may react to in the parking lot or waiting room. There may be a highly anxious dog that can cause you or your pet harm if they are approached by your leash-less pet.

Off-leash pets can stress out sick pets or pets that are naturally anxious and already on edge.

Some animals—such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and cats—can become extremely frightened by a dog coming up to their carrier.

To make sure you’re doing what’s best for every pet and pet parent, keep your pet on a leash and do not allow them to approach other animals at the veterinary office.

3. Not Use a Carrier

Keeping smaller or more anxious pets in a carrier is just as important as keeping a larger one on a leash.

Many pets feel safer when they are in an enclosed space that protects them from other animals in the veterinary office.

Without a carrier, a cat, bird, reptile, or small pet can run away or seriously harm themselves. Carriers also make it easier for veterinary staff to handle your pet.

Here are a few great options for carriers:

• Small pet carrier: Frisco Top-Loading Small Pet Carrier

• Bird carrier: Yaheetech Iron Travel Bird Cage Carrier

• Cat/small dog carrier: Frisco Two-Door Top-Load Dog and Cat Kennel

  • Pro tip: Look for a cat or small-dog carrier with front and top access, such as the one below. This makes for easier entry and exit, and pets are less likely to get trapped in the carrier during emergency medical situations.

Keeping carriers in plain sight while at home and bringing them outdoors helps pets to not associate them with just going to the vet, which can cause anxiety.

Allow your pet to make a positive association with their carrier.

Offer them a yummy high-value treat inside the carrier and make sure they have their favorite blanket or stuffed animal to snuggle up to. Using something with your scent on it can also help your pet feel more comfortable, such as using a t-shirt as a blanket.

4. Use a Retractable Leash or a Very Long Leash

This one you may not be aware of, but it’s important to know—retractable leashes are dangerous.

They can wrap around your pet, other pets, or people. This can lead to wounds and trip hazards in the veterinarian’s office.

Instead, use a fixed-length leash.

Long fixed leashes are great for sniff walks with your dog outdoors, but in a waiting room, they can be dangerous as well.

Choose a leash that’s short enough that it allows you to keep your dog within a few feet.

You may choose to pair this with a quality harness. It helps even more if the harness or leash have sturdy handles.

When it comes to harnesses, the best way to ensure your dog does not pull is positive reinforcement training. Although certain harnesses will prevent a lot of the pulling, a strong-willed dog will still pull if they are motivated enough.

5. Medicate Your Pet Before Discussing With Their Vet, or Forget To Mention Current Medications

Many people have anxiety medications for their pets or antibiotics/steroids lying around the house that were prescribed in the past.

You may want to ease your pet’s anxiety before a vet visit or planned procedure or test, but unless you’ve discussed premedicating with your veterinary care team, do not give your pet unprescribed medication.This can cause several issues.

Giving your pet unprescribed medication makes it harder for vets to see symptoms and reach the right diagnosis. Your vet can’t get a normal baseline when your pet is sedated or medicated.

You can also cause unwanted or dangerous side effects.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as Rimadyl, Metacam, Deramaxx, or EtoGesic) and corticosteroids (such as prednisone, triamcinolone, or dexamethasone) are two of the most frequently prescribed classes of medications in veterinary medicine.

But when two or more are given at the same time—even within a few days of one another—gastrointestinal problems are likely.

Another example is combining certain drugs that may cause serotonin syndrome.

Several types of drugs commonly prescribed to pets increase serotonin levels within the brain, and when they are used together, their combined effect may result in a dangerous and potentially fatal reaction.

Drugs that can play a role in serotonin syndrome in pets include:

• Anipryl (selegiline or L-deprenyl)

• Mitaban and Preventic (amitraz)

• Clomicalm (clomipramine)

• Reconcile and prozac (fluoxetine)

• Amitriptyline

These medications should not be given together. Transition or “wash-out” periods that last several weeks may be necessary when switching from one medication to another.

Make sure you have past medical records and a list of current medications your pets are on when you come to your veterinary office.

You can even find forms online that can help you prepare for commonly asked veterinary visit questions.

6. Assume Pricing

Part of veterinary care is the cost.

Just like the bills for people, medical expenses can be high. You will most likely not visit two veterinary offices that have the same pricing, as this is dependent on several factors, such as location, quality, and demand.

Do not assume that because your friend had a dog spayed for $120 that it will be the same for your own pet. Larger pets need more medication, and smaller pets need less.

Different medications cost the clinics different amounts, and some are very hard to come by.

If you are in a small town and have a local vet and your friend goes to a large vet chain in a big city, the rates will be different. Keep in mind that you are paying for the best care possible for your beloved pets.

Pet insurance can help you be prepared for unexpected expenses and be a life saver—literally! 

Wellness plans can help you prep for all the expected expenses of keeping your pet healthy.

7. Assume Your Pet’s Diagnosis

When you bring your pet in with an illness, come with an open mind.

Many symptoms can be present with several different illnesses. For example, vomiting in cats can be hairballs, allergies, thyroid disease, irritable bowel disorder, anxiety, or something else.

Let your veterinary staff do the necessary physical exam and diagnostics to figure out what’s going on with your pet—instead of assuming what the diagnosis is.

8. Google Your Way to Cancer

Do not google yourself into a panic prior to a sick visit.

The internet can be a great resource for pet information, but it can be misleading if the source is not reliable. It can lead you to expecting the worst outcome for your pet.

This can cause a lot of unnecessary anxiety for you and your pet, and make the vet visit more stressful for everyone.

9. Judge Veterinarians or Veterinary Office Staff by Their Cover

In a veterinarian’s office or hospital, you are bound to see staff from many different backgrounds. They are there to help your pet and make them feel comfortable at the veterinarian’s office.

Do your best not to judge any of these dedicated professionals by their appearance. For example, don’t assume that if a veterinarian looks young, they must not have any experience or know what’s best for your pet.

10. Think Vets Are Adding Unnecessary Tests To Charge More

One of the most common misconceptions among pet parents is that veterinary professionals charge high prices and make tons of money from their field of work.

The truth is, veterinary professionals are not in this field for money. In most cases, veterinarians make much less than you would expect—much less than doctors for humans—and are certainly not in the field for money.

Vets dedicate themselves to making pets’ lives better by doing the best they can for them in times of need, whether that’s placing an IV catheter, performing life-saving surgery, or simply giving your pet one-on-one time and love during their visit.