Petland Logo
Login/Register

Please create a free account, or login by clicking here.

Menu

Download our Petland App today for information on your local Petland's Available Pets and Pet Supplies. All at the tips of your fingers!

Preparing Your Pup for His First Vet Appointment

July 26, 2021

So you’re the parent of that preppy new pup? Congratulations! You’ve gotten his crate, a couple of matching leashes, favorite chew toys, and stocked up on the best foods you could find. Great! Now that you’ve found your perfect pup, it’s time to schedule a vet appointment. Because, as cute and energetic as Boomer can be, he can feel less-than-awesome sometimes. Hence, your cute Boomer is going to need a team to keep him healthy. 

Say hello to the Vet Clinic!

However, the first trip to the vet can be stressful for your little fluff ball if he isn’t prepared for it. It’s his first time after all. You want to make the experience as smooth as possible and less daunting, there are a couple of habits you need to inculcate before dropping by the vet’s office. 

If you’re a new proud parent, here are few tips to help you prepare your pup for a visit to the vet:

  1. Accustom Your Puppy With Car Rides

It’s a bad idea to only take your pup for a car ride only when it’s a trip to the vet. Soon enough, he will associate car rides with fear and scary shots. 

Make brief trips to enjoyable places such as a park or just sightseeing. If you’re concerned about the safety of your buddy during the trip, you can place him in a crate or use a canine harness restraint. Let him play with one of his toys to cheer him up. 

And if you want to take it up a notch, you could spritz calming fragrances in the car. This kind of scent would relax them as dogs possess a powerful nose.  

  1. Introduce The Vet Clinic Beforehand

Visiting the clinic ahead of time may be difficult if you’re busy, but your pup would appreciate the effort. It’ll make an enormous difference to your dog’s real appointment. 

You can get to the clinic when it’s less busy and crowded with ‘strange’ dogs. Let your pup get familiar with the waiting room, the exam room, and the staff. The team will most likely say hi to your dog and drop a few treats. Since there will be no procedures and lots of people eager to play with him, the clinic won’t provoke fear for your pup.

You can even take the time to fill out the necessary paperwork. 

If possible, take two or three trial runs before the actual appointment for maximum results.

  1. Remain Calm On The Big Day

Dogs are quite sensitive. 

It’s a known fact that pups pick up the energy of their owners and act accordingly. Meaning, yes, your emotions are contagious. If you’re making a fuss, your pup is likely to as well. 

Get all the information and items you need to prepare in advance from the clinic—a list of medications, stool samples, urine samples, etc.

Don’t change your routine, and remain cheerful so your baby knows nothing is wrong.

Related Articles

View All Articles

  • Dogs That Enjoy a Couch and Movie More Than a Yard and A Ball

    Dogs That Enjoy a Couch and Movie More Than a Yard and A Ball

    All dogs enjoy the smell of fresh air, chasing a ball, and running in circles outside. After all, they are creatures who need exercise and sunlight, and the feeling of freedom. ...

    Read More

  • Best City Dogs

    Best City Dogs

    The excitement, culture, and nightlife of living in a major city is something many people enjoy. Normally a major city is a fast moving and lively place to live. Due to how many...

    Read More

  • Top Six Most Recently Registered Dog Breeds

    Top Six Most Recently Registered Dog Breeds

    For a dog breed to find itself on the American Kennel Club’s registry, certain specific requirements must be fulfilled. This process is not an easy one, as the American Ke...

    Read More

  • Dogs are Amazing!

    Dogs are Amazing!

    We all know that our pups are amazing and bring us a lot of enjoyment and love. There is a reason why they are referred to as “man’s best friend.”  WeR...

    Read More

  • Top Companion Dogs

    Top Companion Dogs

    Some dogs are bred for hunting, others for herding, and some for just being adorable and wanting to cuddle up! These pups are known as companion dogs and generally have extremel...

    Read More

  • High Energy Dogs

    High Energy Dogs

    Are you looking for a fast-paced high energy dog that will keep you active? If so, here is a list of the most energetic dog breeds that will keep you and your kids on the move! ...

    Read More

  • The Seven Oldest Breeds of Dogs

    The Seven Oldest Breeds of Dogs

    They are known as man’s best friend and recent research indicates that they may have been given this title longer than we first believed. Although many dog breeds date bac...

    Read More

  • They’ll Fight Like Cats and Dogs! Or will they?

    They’ll Fight Like Cats and Dogs! Or will they?

    As the saying goes, they’ll fight like cats and dogs… Not necessarily if you find the right dog. But what qualities does a dog need in order for it to get along well...

    Read More

  • Top Pups for First Time Dog Owners

    Top Pups for First Time Dog Owners

    Adding a dog to your family is a very fun and exciting part of life, however, does come with some challenges. Realistically, your pup is a part of your family and will be for ma...

    Read More

  • Tips for Keeping Your Pup Healthy in the Winter

    Tips for Keeping Your Pup Healthy in the Winter

    With winter here, we all know the challenges of staying warm and safe. We must also take into consideration the well-being of our pets as the temperature drops. Here are a few s...

    Read More

  • Top Five Dog Breeds Who Love to Play Outdoors

    Top Five Dog Breeds Who Love to Play Outdoors

    If you love spending time in the great outdoors and are considering adding a fur-legged friend to your family this blog is for you. Making sure you find a dog that enjoys spendi...

    Read More

  • Help! My Dog Ate Chocolate!

    Help! My Dog Ate Chocolate!

    We all know that the only time we should use the words chocolate and dog in the same sentence is when we use them to identify a “Chocolate Lab.” Chocolate, although ...

    Read More

Help Need Help? Back to Top