Let’s face it—preparing your dog for a trip to the vet can be exhausting. As you rush to get your pet in the car, they only seem to grow more anxious about where you’re taking them. However, this process doesn’t need to be so painful. Below, the pet experts at Liberty Veterinary Hospital in Liberty Township, OH, offer some of their best pet care tips to take the hassle out of visiting the vet.

5 Pet Care Tips for Your Dog’s Next Visit to the Vet

1. Wear Them Out Before the Visit

Untapped energy can make any dog anxious, especially if they bring it with them to the vet. Long walks and playing with toys are good ways to wear them out. It’s always better to bring a tired pup to the appointment, instead of an overly energetic one.

2. Think About How You Are Transporting Them

If the only car rides your dog experiences is when they go to the vet, they could become scared of your vehicle. Make more trips together to help them realize the car isn’t a bad place. Also, if you have a small dog, a carrier makes them even easier to transport.

3. Keep Them Calm While Waiting

Tricks and treats can be your best friend while waiting to see the vet. Sometimes you might have to wait a little longer than expected, so have a few treats on hand and practice new tricks to keep your dog calm and preoccupied.

4. Make More Visits

Scheduling all of your pet care needs like shots, weigh-ins, and check-ups in one visit may work best for your calendar, but it can stress your dog out. If they associate pain and shots with the vet, they are more likely to be scared and stressed. Spread out your visits to help your dog become comfortable with frequenting your vet.

5. Practice Discipline

Ultimately, your dog trusts you. If you have the right discipline for social environments, they should listen and react to you—even at the vet. Practice basic commands leading up to the visit, and don’t forget to reward them with a treat afterward to entice good behavior.

For all your pet care needs in Liberty Township, visit Liberty Veterinary Hospital. Trust your pet with them for the best grooming, pet boarding, dog medications, and so much more. Visit them online or call (513) 755-9700 for more information.