When your dog doesn't seem interested in eating his food, do you know what to do? When your dog vomits often, could there be something serious wrong with him? If he struggles to get up the stairs, does he need to see a vet? Having never owned an older dog, I knew nothing about the things that can begin to go wrong when dogs age. I adopted this guy when my neighbor moved into a nursing home and had to learn a lot about how to care for an older dog. My blog is filled with the many things that I have learned over the last year through the help of my vet.
caring for an elderly dog
Make Your Dog Comfortable Going To The Vet With These 4 Tips
Lucy Grant
When it's time to go to the vet, sometimes your dog doesn't want to go. Sometimes you don't want to go because the experience is so stressful. However, there are some things you can to to make a trip to your veterinarian a good one for both you and your dog. Use the following tips when to help you get your dog to the vet.
1. Make an Appointment at the Least Busy Time
If your dog barks at other animals or is generally unruly at the vet, do your best to make an appointment at a time when there won't be many other animals around. Ask the office staff when the best time is, because some practices have busy morning hours, while others have busy evenings. That way, you won't have to chastise your dog and pull him away from other animals and you can both be a bit more relaxed.
2. Tire Your Dog Out
If you're like most dog owners, you walk your dog before heading to the vet so that there are no bathroom accidents along the way. However, consider giving your dog a big workout before they go to the vet. Go for a run or play ball; do whatever you can do to tire your do out. When you get to the vet's office, they'll be too tired to get antsy in the waiting area.
3. Visit Without an Appointment
If your dog is reluctant to go to the veterinarian because they associate the visit with shots every time they go, perhaps visiting the vet's office without an appointment will help. Take the car ride, get out of the car, head into the office--and then give your dog a treat. If you can buy dog food or a toy in your vet's office, consider doing that. When your dog can associate positive memories with going to the vet's office, they may be more agreeable next time.
4. Touch Your Dog's Body Often
For many dogs, being handled all over is not something they enjoy. However, the vet has to check their joints, nails and other body parts to make sure they are healthy. To help your dog become more comfortable with being touched, make sure that you touch your dog all over on a regular basis. When you're sitting on the couch, play with your dog's paws and rub their belly. Look in their ears and open their mouths. If you see that they have a sensitive area, tell the vet beforehand so they can be prepared for some resistance.
Take the information in this article and use it whenever you and your dog need to visit the veterinarian. You can also ask your vet for more ideas about how you can make the experience better for your dog.
To learn more, contact a veterinarian clinic like Animal Medical Center of Deer Valley.
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