Is your pet afraid of the veterinarian? Here’s how we make the visit stress-free

For many dogs and cats, a visit to the veterinarian can be a stressful experience. The environment is unfamiliar, filled with strange smells and other animals, and the pet is handled by unfamiliar people.

At Pups ’n Pets, we have made it our mission to make veterinary visits as stress-free as possible for pets. We believe that high-quality medical care and a pet’s psychological well-being go hand in hand. When the visit is calm and smooth, it also enables better and more accurate examination results.

The visit begins already at home

Preparation for a veterinary visit begins already at home. Especially for cats, the biggest source of stress is often the carrier. Getting a cat into the carrier can sometimes be a struggle, which only increases the cat’s stress. We therefore recommend keeping the carrier visible either continuously or for several days before the visit. You can also place familiar toys and treats inside the carrier.

Dogs should be accustomed at home—starting already as puppies—to handling similar to what is done during a veterinary examination. Regularly practise looking at the teeth, checking the ears, and examining the paws while rewarding the dog. This helps make the veterinary examination feel familiar and predictable for the dog.

In addition, it is advisable to take an active dog for a walk before the appointment so that it is more physically relaxed. Getting the pet used to car travel and using calming pheromone products (such as Adaptil or Feliway) can also significantly ease the journey and arrival at the clinic.

Did you know that pets can also sense their owner’s tension when leaving for a veterinary visit? If you feel nervous, your pet will notice it.

If necessary, medication to relieve fear and anxiety is available for pets. In such cases, please contact the clinic in advance.

A calm arrival at the clinic

Our clinic has been designed to meet the requirements of modern veterinary medicine. The facilities are new, modern, and functional. The waiting areas provide enough space to wait comfortably for your turn and to maintain a safe distance from other animals. For cat carriers, there are elevated surfaces where cats can feel safer and more secure.

Arriving at our clinic has been made as easy as possible. There are two hours of free parking in front of the Kalasatama clinic. In Jätkäsaari, there is paid street parking as well as several nearby parking areas. We also recommend using public transport whenever possible.

Gentle interaction and unhurried handling

We place great emphasis on unhurried service and individual care for each pet. In the examination room, the pet is given time to calmly explore the surroundings.

During examinations, we use methods that minimise stress for the pet: we avoid unnecessary restraint and use positive reinforcement such as treats. Often the examination goes most smoothly where the pet feels most comfortable—sometimes this means examining the pet on the floor on its own familiar blanket instead of on a high examination table.

Modern and safe pain management

Fear and pain reinforce one another, which is why we always ensure adequate pain relief before procedures that require it. We use the most modern and gentle methods possible and, when necessary, local anaesthetics to ensure the patient’s comfort.

If anaesthesia is required, it is always planned according to the individual needs of the pet. Safety is further enhanced through continuous anaesthesia monitoring and preparedness for emergency situations.

Our goal is that the pet does not leave the visit with a traumatic memory, but instead can return to us with confidence.