Updated 27/09/2024
Does your pooch turn into a cowering, shuddering ball of anxiety when you cross the vet threshold? Seeing our furry familiar members suffer each and every vet visit just isn’t on - that’s why here, we’re settling the question "why do dogs hate the vets?" and sharing ways to combat vet-related anxiety.
So for fear-free vet visits, stick with us as we dive into why dogs hate the vets, signs of anxiety, and how to make vet appointments more manageable in the future.
Why do dogs hate the vet?
Dogs often hate the vets because it’s an unfamiliar environment where they’re surrounded by scents, sounds and other animals that they’re not used to. Many dogs hate vet visits because its sensory environment triggers memories of past trauma, stimulating strong feelings of fear and anxiety. This can result in a whole host of resistant behaviors like barking, cowering and sometimes aggression.
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Reasons dogs hate the vet
Unfamiliar scents
When you take your dog into the vet clinic, they’re hit with an unimaginable number of different scents - some that they’re not used to, and others that trigger bad memories of past experiences. While sometimes it’s a fear of the unknown, other times it’s an anxiety response to smells that were present during a previous traumatic event.
Past trauma
Just like us humans, dogs can be reminded of previous trauma if aspects of the experience are repeated. Revisiting veterinary clinics they associate with being in pain, handled by a stranger or barked at by another dog can trigger a variety of stress responses. Taking a dog into the vet clinic or the consult room can trigger aggressive behavior, attempts to escape and freezing.
Separation anxiety
Leaving your dog at the vets can trigger separation anxiety if your pooch isn’t used to being left alone. And even in dogs whose pet parents have made sure they’re well socialized and used to being at home alone sometimes, being left at the vets can cause anxiety because it’s an unfamiliar environment.
Noises
If your dog is afraid of the vets, one reason can be all the unfamiliar noises. A dog’s hearing is four times as strong as that of a human’s (according to Psychology Today), so sounds that you think might be minute can actually be pretty intense for our furry friends. Whether it’s beeping, the telephone ringing, unfamiliar voices or the sounds of other animals, there are certainly a fair few noises for dogs to contend with at the vets.
Forced interaction
Veterinary visits inevitably mean your dog is forced to interact with a human they wouldn’t necessarily choose to, especially as they’re associated with all of those scary noises, smells and pieces of equipment.
Being touched by a vet can be terrifying for dogs, especially if they’ve got touch sensitivity (which is a fear of being touched by unfamiliar people).
Many dogs also don’t like their ears or paws being touched, which are unfortunately common body parts vets will need to examine.
Other animals
If you find your dog is scared at the vets - it could well be because your pooch is afraid of other animals. Vets are filled with rabbits, dogs and cats (and more!), and in such a confined space, your dog could find this incredibly intimidating and threatening.
Understanding situational anxiety in dogs
It’s common for dogs going to the vet to suffer from situational anxiety, so as a pet parent, it’s important to get clued-up on the signs so that you can best support your pooch in their hour of need.
Recognising the signs of anxiety in dogs
| Anxiety symptom in dogs | What to look out for |
|---|---|
| Whale eye | If you can see a lot of the white in your dog’s eye, then it’s a sign they’re feeling particularly startled. |
| Panting | Just like us humans, a sign of anxiety in dogs is shallow breathing. |
| Pinned-back ears | When a dog is scared, their ears curl backwards towards their head. |
| Tucked tail | A tail tucked between the hind legs suggests they’re being particularly submissive and feeling fearful. |
| Aggressive behavior. | A dog that lashes out is often a scared one. |
| Shaking | Full-body tremors are common in dogs when they’re feeling particularly anxious. |
| Vocalizations | It’s common for dogs feeling fearful to bark or growl as a form of self-defense. |
| Pacing | Walking back and forth (sometimes at speed) is a sign of distress and restlessness in dogs. |
| Hiding | Cowering behind furniture or somebody they feel comfortable with is a common symptom of anxiety in dogs. |
| Lack of cooperation | If your pup stiffens up and refuses to respond to commands they usually would, they may be feeling anxious. |
While these signs are all common for pups at the vet, they can be managed and avoided. Take a look below for tips on how to calm your dog at the vet.
How to calm a dog in the vets
Reducing fear for vet appointments should be a priority for pet parents, as many pups experience anxiety around vet visits. Below, find four ways on how to calm an anxious dog at the vet, and how to prevent vet-related fear in the first place.
Desensitization
Desensitizing your dog to situations that provoke anxiety slowly removes fear by demonstrating that the situation is safe. This can be done in a variety of ways, including early socialization as part of their training program and regular vet visits.
Happy visits
A bit like desensitization, ‘happy visits’ to the vet clinic help your dog associate the vets with something positive. Along with gentle handling from veterinary staff and lots of praise, you can visit the vets without an appointment in place, rewarding them heavily so that they learn to associate the sights, sounds and smells with something they love (like dog biscuits!).
Positive reinforcement
Along with rewarding your pooch for simply crossing the threshold (and at every other touchpoint, of course), it’s also a great idea to treat them for the behavior you’re looking for. So, if your dog responds well to being handled, doesn’t react when meeting other dogs or follows commands, offer them a chunk of their favorite biscuit.
Calming techniques
Along with comforting your doggo with cuddles and TLC, there are a few other things you can do to help them feel calm at the vets. The first is making use of synthetic dog pheromones which mimic the smells of a mother’s natural chemical signals that reassure young pups. Playing music to your pooch beforehand could also help them feel calm - find a calming playlist to get started.
Meet our veterinary expert, Hannah
This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCV.
Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and worked in mixed practice for a few years before focusing on small animal work. Clinically, she worked in a busy, multi-center hospital practice until 2018, where she underwent training in advanced canine and feline dentistry and began working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. She then moved to a local independent practice to care for the pets nearby, allowing more time to focus on other career avenues, which include writing for a diverse range of pet websites, vet practices, drug companies, journals, and veterinary educators.
Does your pup suffer from separation anxiety?
It’s super common for dogs to feel anxious when left at home alone. Explore our blog on separation anxiety to get in the know on how to identify and treat it.
