Canine stress in the veterinary environment

Abstract

The Cat Friendly Clinic, Dog Friendly Clinic and Rabbit Friendly Vet accreditation schemes recognise that vet visits can be fearful or distressing experiences for both pet and owner, and advocate making small changes within the clinic to make the vet visit calmer and easier for everyone. The first step in reducing canine stress within the veterinary environment is to understand why the veterinary experience might cause distress. Factors such as the clinic environment, situation stacking during the visit, and how dogs learn, are all worthy of exploration. Adapting the clinical environment and clinic–patient interactions, alongside educating owners about effective preparation for veterinary visits, can help make these calmer and easier for everyone involved.