Helping Pets and Vets: Easing Your Dog’s Fear of the Veterinarian

This pet health content was written by a veterinarian, Dr. Debora Lichtenberg, VMD. It was last reviewed in June 20, 2024

Relieving Anxiety in Pets and Vets: Understanding Fear and Muzzle Use

As a veterinarian, I know it’s my job to make my furry patients less fearful. Relieving pet anxiety is a joint task shared by the pet’s people and their veterinarians.

This article explains what you can do to diminish fear in your pet — and what you should expect from your vet. We also discuss muzzles and why muzzles are sometimes requested by your vet. Understanding these aspects helps both pets and vets have a more positive experience during vet visits.

Getting Fearful Puppies Used to the Vet

Puppies should be happy at the vet’s office.

If your new pup growls, cowers, or tries to bite the veterinary staff, this is not typical behavior. It’s up to your vet to address this behavior.

Many new puppy parents don’t understand that an 8-week-old puppy growling or nipping at the vet is not normal. Even when I’m poking a little needle into an adorable little butt, most puppies don’t care.

• The tiny cookies I’m giving and the positive strokes and reinforcement should be enough to get most puppies more interested in the treat or the playful talking than the tiny sting of the vaccine needle.

But some pups begin to act aggressively or fearful the minute they walk into the building.

• Does the vet office remind them of another fearful experience?
• Are they fearful in all new situations or aggressive in general?

Understanding the root of this behavior can help both pets and vets work together to make the experience less stressful for everyone involved.

Understanding Fearful Behavior in Pets and Vets

Recognizing a dog’s cowering, shaking, or backing into a corner is easy, but signs of anxiety can be subtle. These include a slight downward glance, lack of eye contact, obsessive licking, panting, or yawning.

Tips for Handling Fearful Puppies:

• Slow Down: If the pup snarls or growls before the exam, take a step back. Offer treats and let them walk around at their comfort level.
• Come Back Later: Work with the pup at home, playing with feet, looking in ears, and examining teeth. Bring the pup back for desensitization visits. If the behavior worsens, consider behavior counseling with a good trainer.
• The Power of Food: Use treats and positive reinforcement during vet visits. For non-food-driven pups, bring high-value treats like chicken niblets or liver wurst.

Creating a sensitive veterinary atmosphere includes:

• Going slow; maybe not everything will get done in one visit.
• Limiting commotion in the waiting room.
• Avoiding long waits for appointments.
• Providing plenty of delicious treats to reduce anxiety.

For older dogs, discussing muzzle use may be necessary.

Muzzle My Dog at the Vet?

As a veterinarian, I have a responsibility to keep dog bites to a minimum to protect myself, my staff, and my clients. Ensuring canine patients who are biters get the necessary training and help is crucial.

Veterinarians and dog owners can work together to prevent bites, which are often a result of human error. Although muzzling is rare, it is important when necessary.

Common Client Objections to Muzzling:

• “But he doesn’t really bite.”
• “But he only dislikes men. You’ll be OK.”
• “Oh, that’s OK, I’ll hold her. She’s good with me.”
• “He’s just nervous.”
• “Oh, he’s just talking. You obviously don’t understand Rottweilers.”

Creating a Peaceful Environment:

• Avoid making the dog feel confronted or nervous in the waiting room.
• Minimize waiting times.
• Quickly and comfortably place the dog in an exam room.
• Observe behavioral cues to get a “reading” on the dog.

Most of the time, this process runs smoothly. However, if the dog is still fearful, anxious, or aggressive, a soft, nylon muzzle may be suggested to prevent bites. The muzzle often alleviates the dog’s anxiety-driven desire to bite.

If the dog’s owner refuses to muzzle the dog, managing the situation becomes challenging.

The Challenges of Muzzling: The Muzzle Dance

Attempting to appease clients by not using a muzzle can be dangerous. Even with no restraint, a soft voice, and treats, some dogs continue to bite.

Why Dog Bites Are No Laughing Matter:

• Veterinarians and technicians do get bitten, sometimes badly.
• People with normally gentle dogs are bitten more frequently when their pets are stressed or hurt.
• Besides bodily harm, pain, and disfigurement, there can be loss of work, expense, quarantines, lawsuits, and loss of homeowners’ insurance.

The risks are high, and a little precaution can save many headaches. Each time a dog bites, modifying the aggressive behavior with training becomes more challenging.

When Do Vets Get Bitten?

If a veterinarian gets bitten by a caution dog because proper precautions were not taken, it’s the veterinarian’s fault.

Reasons for Dog Bites:

• We usually don’t suffer bites from known “iffy” dogs because we take the proper precautions and use muzzles.
• Sometimes, we get bitten by dogs that give no warning, especially if a client “forgets” to mention that their dog has bitten before.
• Occasionally, a new client might say, “Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. He bit the last vet.”

Recognizing Bite Risks:

A person with a natural affinity for animals can read animal behavior, which is both a skill and a gift. Ninety percent of the time, dogs give obvious clues that they are either aggressive or fearful and pose a bite risk. This might be that familiar “hard eye,” body rigidity, or obvious fear.

• Before a true growl or attempted bite, an honest conversation with the dog’s human usually leads to agreeing on using a muzzle.
• Most dogs calm down once muzzled, allowing the exam to go quickly.
• The muzzle comes off, and the dog is wagging their tail again, often taking a biscuit from the hand that vaccinated them.

Zero Tolerance:

Clients with difficult dogs who take the situation seriously:

• Seek help.
• Work with the dog.
• Always take the proper precautions.

This dedication and effort are commendable. For those with caution dogs who don’t take it seriously, it is a worrisome situation. If you are concerned that your dog may pose a threat to you or someone else, seek professional advice and training.

We should all approach dog bites with a zero-tolerance policy.

Handling the Older Vet-Hating Dog

Muzzles

Mature dogs with fear or aggressive tendencies toward the vet can be challenging. Muzzles are soft, easy to breathe through, and often give the aggressive dog a sense of resignation. Many dogs become more relaxed once muzzled.

• If the dog calms down with the muzzle, the exam can proceed smoothly.
• If the dog attacks the muzzle, consider other options.
• Sometimes clients can place a muzzle at home before the visit.

Medications

When all else fails, medication may be necessary. Some veterinarians use medication at the first sign of aggression, while others prefer to try other methods first. Discuss with your vet if your dog might benefit from anxiolytics.

• Start with a low dose at home and work up to the desired effect.
• Administer the medication 1–2 hours before the appointment.

Common Sense

You and the vet must work together to help an anxious or aggressive dog improve. Behavior modification needs to be done at home, and consistency is key. Vets should keep an open mind, as different approaches work for different dogs.

• Address worried puppies early to prevent ingrained behavior.
• Explore various methods to help an older fearful dog relax at the vet.

Preparing for the Vet Visit

The Car Trip

he vet visit usually begins with a car ride, which can be stressful for some dogs.

• If your dog enjoys car rides, it helps them stay relaxed.
• For dogs that get car sick or anxious, their anxiety can start in the driveway.

Consider calming aids:

• Anti-nausea, anti-anxiety, and motion sickness drugs.
• Seat belts, carriers, Thundershirts, and dog travel tapes.

Stay calm during the car ride to avoid transferring anxiety to your pet.

The Waiting Room

If your dog shows signs of anxiety in the waiting room, try to avoid it.

• Walk outside the hospital with your pet.
• If they’re happy in the car, stay in the car and ask the receptionist to call you when it’s your turn.
• In the waiting room, unexpected encounters with other animals can cause stress. Even cats can scare dogs, but you can help them overcome it.

This video shows various dogs trying to get past the family cat without losing a limb:

Conclusion: Easing Your Dog’s Fear of the Vet

The few things mentioned here are just the tip of the fear iceberg. For some pets, the fear can feel like an avalanche hanging over their fragile heads. However, with the help of your veterinarian, animal behaviorists, time, and understanding, you’ll find that things are looking brighter every day.

Steps to Take:

1. Consult with Professionals: Work closely with your vet and consider consulting an animal behaviorist. They can provide tailored strategies to help your dog overcome their fear.
2. Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning: Gradual exposure to the vet environment and positive reinforcement can significantly reduce anxiety. ASPCA provides useful tips on desensitization techniques.
3. Consistent Training: Regular, consistent training at home can help manage your dog’s behavior. The American Kennel Club offers advice on how to desensitize dogs to vet visits.
4. Medication: For severe cases, medication might be necessary. This should always be discussed with your vet to ensure the best approach for your dog’s needs.

Additional Tips:

• Routine Visits: Make vet visits a routine part of your dog’s life rather than a rare occurrence. Frequent, positive visits can reduce anxiety over time.
• Create Positive Associations: Bring your dog’s favorite toys or treats to the vet. Make the visit as pleasant as possible by associating it with positive experiences.
• Stay Calm: Your dog can sense your anxiety. Stay calm and composed to help your dog feel more secure.

By following these steps and maintaining a compassionate approach, you can help ease your dog’s fear of the vet, making visits less stressful for both of you. Remember, patience and consistency are key.

With time and effort, you’ll see improvements, and your dog will begin to associate vet visits with less fear and more comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)