Our services
Stress Free Visits
Gentle handling and simple steps that make every visit calmer for your pet, and for you.
Stress-Free Visits for Dogs and Cats
We understand that visiting the vet can be stressful for some pets, and for their owners too. Dogs and cats experience veterinary visits differently, so we take a thoughtful, individual approach to help every patient feel as safe and comfortable as possible.
What we do to make visits less stressful
Straight into a consulting room
We aim to minimise the time your pet spends in the waiting room. Whenever possible, patients are taken directly into a consulting room, reducing exposure to unfamiliar people, noises and other animals.
This can be particularly helpful for anxious cats and dogs who become unsettled around other pets.
Calming pheromones throughout our practice
We use Feliway® and Adaptil® in our veterinary spaces. These pheromone products are designed specifically for cats and dogs and can help create a more reassuring environment.
Feliway is used to support a calmer environment for cats, while Adaptil is designed for dogs.
Gentle, low-stress handling
Our team uses calm, gentle handling techniques and considers each pet’s individual behaviour and comfort level. Where possible, we allow pets time to settle before beginning an examination and use positive reinforcement to encourage calm behaviour.
Understanding dogs and cats
Dogs and cats often need different approaches. Dogs may respond well to friendly interaction, treats and positive reinforcement, while cats generally feel more secure with quiet handling, minimal restraint and a calm environment.
We adapt our approach to suit the individual patient rather than expecting every pet to respond in the same way.
Working with you
You know your pet best. If your dog or cat has particular fears, triggers or previous negative experiences at the vet, please tell us when booking their appointment. This allows our team to plan ahead and make their visit as comfortable as possible.
What you can do to help
For dogs
- Make the vet a positive place. If possible, bring your dog in for occasional visits where they can receive treats and attention without having an examination.
- Practise handling at home. Gently handle their ears, paws, mouth and body and reward calm behaviour. This can make veterinary examinations feel more familiar.
- Bring their favourite treats. Positive reinforcement can help create a positive association with the veterinary clinic.
- Stay calm. Dogs can pick up on our emotions, so keeping your voice and movements relaxed can help reassure them.
For cats
- Make the carrier a familiar place. Leave the carrier somewhere accessible at home with comfortable bedding inside. Place treats or toys inside to encourage your cat to explore it voluntarily.
- Avoid chasing your cat into the carrier. This can create a negative association with the carrier and make future visits more difficult.
- Use familiar scents. A blanket or bedding that smells like home can help your cat feel more secure during travel.
- Keep the journey calm. Secure the carrier so it doesn’t move around and consider covering it with a light towel or blanket to reduce visual stimulation.
- Let us know if your cat becomes very stressed. If your cat finds travel or veterinary visits particularly difficult, talk to our team before their appointment. Your veterinarian can discuss additional strategies to help reduce their anxiety.
Working together for a better veterinary experience
A stress-free visit starts before you arrive at the clinic. By combining the steps we take in our practice with simple preparation at home, we can help make veterinary visits calmer and more positive for both you and your pet.
If your pet is particularly nervous or has had a difficult experience at the vet in the past, please let us know when booking their appointment. We’re happy to work with you to develop an approach that suits them.
Ready to book a visit?
Book online in a few clicks or call our friendly team. We look forward to meeting you and your pet.