How do vets handle scared dogs? A Comprehensive Guide

Common Signs of Anxiety at the Vet: How Does Veterinary Anxiety in Dogs Manifest?

Anxiety can manifest in different ways for different individuals.

Dogs don’t speak our language, so it is important that we learn to read their body signals and be on the lookout for the subtle signs of stress. Most stress signals work in conjunction with others; they rarely occur in isolation. So, make sure you look at the whole dog, nose to tail.

Watch for behavior that is unusual for your dog, specifically.

Some of the common symptoms of anxiety at the vet include:

Your dog screams at the vet. Vocalization is not uncommon for a dog who is feeling overwhelmed. Dogs vocalize for a number of reasons, but if your dog’s vocalizations sound like a scream or cry, whimper or whine, your dog is likely feeling fearful or anxious.

Your dog shakes or trembles at the vet. You know that feeling when you’re waiting at the dentist’s office? Or when you’re about to jump out of a plane (ok, maybe not, but I am sure you can imagine!) Shaking is a response of your nervous system that we call fight or flight. When your dog is faced with something potentially scary, stress hormones are preparing the muscles to either fight or run, resulting in trembling or shaking.

Your dog starts panting and drooling. If it is hot, and your dog is otherwise relaxed, panting is nothing to worry about. But excessive panting and/or drooling can indicate stress.

Your dog poops at the vet. It happens more than you think. And no one at the clinic minds, I promise! The gastrointestinal tract often reacts to stress and anxiety. No need to make a big deal about it, it’s not their fault. Just remember to pack your poop bags in advance!

Your dog barks at the vet. Some dogs, when feeling stressed, may bark at people or animals in the clinic. Remember I talked about fight or flight a moment ago? Well, if we take away the option to flee (because they are indoors and restricted by a leash), then their only other option is to fight.

Your dog gets aggressive at the vet. Sometimes your dog’s tolerance for people, other animals, or being handled, can diminish greatly in a stressful environment. They may bark or lunge, as I mentioned above. They may also growl, snap, or even bite. This is their way of communicating that they are uncomfortable, so it is important to not punish them for letting us know. If we do, they potentially may bite without warning the next time, which is much worse. Note that aggression and anxiety go hand-in-hand, so you should consider working with a professional if your dog displays any aggression issues.

Your dog does… nothing. Yup, that’s right – “nothing” can actually be a sign that something is wrong. We can’t assume that a lack of behavior means that our dogs are fine. If your normally wiggly happy dog is suddenly frozen in fear, it is likely your dog is feeling very overwhelmed.

So, what does a happy dog look like? Look at the ears,mouth, tail, eyes, and body movements. Are their ears and brow relaxed, tail athalf-mast and wagging broadly side to side? Is his jaw relaxed? Are his eyessoft and relaxed? Is his body “wiggly”?

The more you learn about body language, the better youcan mitigate any issues before they arise.

#3 Do your research and find a low-stress or fear-free vet.

Not every veterinarian or clinic is created equal. If you can, look for a Low-Stress Handling or a Fear Free certified clinic in your area.

The staff in these kinds of clinics have been trained to make the experience as positive as possible for your dog. It also means they know how to better handle a nervous or anxious dog without the use of force.

Some of these veterinary offices also employ other strategies to help your dog relax and feel like she’s in a safe place, such as playing low-volume classical music or white noise to block out disturbing sounds.

Also, consider your dog’s personal preference. My dog prefers men to women. If I choose a male vet, she is likely to feel more comfortable overall.

Medicate for Anxiety

Although many people consider it a last resort, some dogs are so fearful of the vet that medication is the only option. Your vet may be able to prescribe an anti-anxiety drug that you give your dog at home before visits to the office. For milder cases, anxiety-relieving nutritional supplements, pheromone preparations, and other products may be helpful.

You can also use this as a tool to practice social visits and handling. Its important to understand that a dog is incapable of learning new things when its in a state of high anxiety. Medication can help bring the fear and anxiety down to a level where the dog can respond to training and socialization and may not be needed permanently.

Scared Dog at the Vet

If you have a group 2 or 3 dog as listed above, I’ve provided 10 things below you can do to prevent, manage and improve your dog’s fear when they visit the veterinarian’s office.

Ultimately, you are responsible for the experience your dog has at a veterinary office. You are your dog’s health and behavioral advocate. By incorporating the items noted above in your veterinary visits, you will go a long way in making your dog’s experience more positive and less stressful.