Fear Free Blog
With Dr. Klotz
Welcome February!
I probably should have started my Fear Free blogs with an explanation of what Fear Free is. I was just so excited about the new kitten I started with her. So, this month I want to talk to you about what Fear Free is.
Welcome to Fear Free – where veterinary health care professionals “Take the pet out of petrified” and “Put the treat into treatment!” and where pet owners are “Helping pets live happy, healthy, full lives”. This was taken from the website https://fearfreepets.com I invite everyone to visit this website to learn more. This is the program I earned my certification from. Donna, one of our licensed technicians, is also a Fear Free certified professional. There is even a pet owner section where you at home can learn tips and techniques to help your pet overcome fear and anxiety.
We started incorporating Fear Free into our practice about a year ago, and we are still working to make the hospital even better. Here are a few things that make a Fear Free veterinary visit. 1.) Did you notice the doctors have given up their white lab coats? Bright white can be startling to animals. Pastels are more soothing, so we now wear scrubs in neutral tones. 2.) At our hospital dogs and cats have separate waiting areas. Please let a receptionist know if you think your pet would be more comfortable waiting in a room by yourself, or even waiting in the car.
3.) We use pheromones. For cats the same Feliway I have been using at my house to soothe my cats, and for dogs a product called Adaptil. Some of our rooms have them plugged in, and we offer bandannas for the dogs to wear, and blankets to drape on the cat carriers. Just ask a receptionist when you arrive. 4.) Eye contact is for you not your pet. We avoid eye contact with your pet not because we don’t like him, but because it makes him uncomfortable. This gives him time to check things out and become accustomed to us. 5.) We give lots of treats! We are constantly trying out new ones. Sometimes we use tuna, hotdogs, peanut butter or cheese. If you or your pet has an allergy let us know. Treats are a great distraction from the scary stuff that goes on in the clinic. Bring your pet hungry, and if they have a favorite treat bring it along for us to give. 6.) Does your lab love her ball? Bring your pet’s favorite toy to their visit. We love to play with them, and sometimes that toy is just the right thing to calm them down. 7.) We try to do most of our procedures in the room. Sometimes we must take them in back, like for a radiograph, but we try to do most things in the room. We know most animals do best with their familiar owner present. The more times we move them around the hospital the more times they encounter new things that they might perceive as scary.
8.) Sometimes your pet needs something extra to help with the visit. We can prescribe anti-anxiety or calming medications to help with the visit.
If you think your pet is experiencing stress with their visit. Tell us. We will come up with a plan to support their emotional well being as well as their physical health. Update on my new kitten. She and my older cat are getting along great. I took some videos of her getting one of her check ups, so everyone can see what we are striving to do with our Fear Free visits. Just follow the links.
Until next month have a fear, anxiety and stress-free time. Kim Klotz, DVM