For cats: Let their kennel become part of their territory. Place it somewhere in your house without the door attached, and place a couple treats inside. Avoid making the kennel a foreign object that appears only for vet visits. Feliway®, a cat pheromone, is used in our clinic to reduce stress and Feliway® products are available for use in crates, cars and homes to help make cats more comfortable.
For dogs: If coming to the vet clinic is stressful, bring your dog in often for weigh-ins or just a quick visit to get a treat. Call us before the visit to see if there is a “quiet time” to drop in. Bring a couple treats and be sure to reward relaxed, positive behaviour. Adaptil, a dog pheromone, is used in our clinic to reduce nervousness and is available for any stressful situation.
Car rides can be stressful too. Ensure that your pet is safely secured in your vehicle and tether any crates to prevent them from sliding or tipping over. Also, never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle. Even for a 10 minute stop, the temperature in a vehicle can rapidly change! This fluctuation in temperature can be very uncomfortable or even deadly.
Please notify our staff if you have any concerns when booking an appointment. We can try to schedule a quieter time better suited for your pet’s needs.