If going to the dentist or the doctor raises your anxiety, consider how a similar type of health and hygiene trip affects your pooch or kitty.

Most pets are prone to getting a little anxious or worked up on visits to the vet, grooming salon, etc, as they can associate with discomfort and unfamiliar faces.

“Vet visits are necessary for checkups and when health concerns arise for your furbaby,” notes PD Insurance COO Michelle le Long.

“With a little preparation, those trips can be much easier on your pet – and on you and the medical professional.”

The vets’ view: Cats

Vets obviously don’t go to work with the intention of getting scratched up by Tibbles. You’ll note many vet surgeries have specific ‘cat only’ areas where the felines can chill ahead of time, separate to their canine cousins, so let’s start these tips with the more unpredictable of the common household pets.

Clive Cottage Veterinary Clinic’s local vet Monique Woods agrees cats can find transport and unusual visits stressful, and says a cage is a great start. “Cover your cat cage with a towel or blanket and, better yet, spray that material and the cage with Feliway,” is her top tip.

Feliway is a pheromonal spray that comforts and reassures cats and kittens and reduces signs of stress such as urine spraying, scratching, fighting, or hiding. None of these stress symptoms, you can imagine, are at all helpful for vets when treating feline health issues.

“Putting a towel into the bottom of the cage is a good idea too, so if the cat pees they don't get all dripping wet,” Monique adds.

Cats can be nervy critters, so she advises visiting the vet as a team where possible. If yours is anxiety-prone, “Bring a support person who can wait outside with your pet until it is your turn. That helps reduce waiting room stress.”

…and dogs

While dogs are generally more sociable and socialised, some breeds and individuals can be more of a handful in the clinic. Monique’s advice about team visits above applies just as evenly to the canines, but she has additional tips for a trouble-free visit.

It starts before getting in the car. “Let the receptionist know if your dog is anxious or aggressive to other dogs so they can advise you on the best way to manage this in their clinic,” she explains.

Even consider making popping in at the clinic part of walkies, helping alleviate anxiety along with a few treats, making the stop-by rewarding. It’s not just for the vet and your furbaby, either.

“This reduces stress for you, the pet owner, your dog, and other pets and owners in the clinic at that time,” says Monique.

Training never stops. “Bring your dog's favourite treats and reward him or her in the waiting room for calm behaviour,” she advises.

There’s a kitty crossover for the doggo folks, too. “Never let your dog go near cats in cages. This is extremely stressful for the cat,” Monique stresses.

Finally, she says making vet visits part of the joy of pet parenting starts at a young age. “Enrol in a puppy preschool at your local vet. These puppies have so much fun at the clinic, they often associate the clinic with enjoyment into adulthood.”