Reducing Fear, Anxiety and Stress During Veterinary Visits

At Paws Bay Animal Hospital, we understand that vet visits can be a source of stress for both pets and their owners. Many dogs and cats experience fear, anxiety, or stress during veterinary visits. At Paws Bay Animal Hospital, we use a variety of techniques to help pets feel more comfortable and create a more positive veterinary experience.

Happy dog with his owner.

Anxiety resources

Feliway spray is used in veterinary medicine to help relieve cat anxiety at home and in the hospital.

Cat Anxiety

Our waiting room includes an elevated cat carrier area to help reduce stress and avoid close contact with dogs.

Cat-specific exam room is equipped with Feliway calming pheromone diffusers and sprays to create a more relaxing environment.

Treats and Churu are offered during visits to help reduce anxiety and create positive experiences.

For a calmer trip to the clinic, try spraying Feliway in your cat’s carrier about 10 minutes before travel.

 

Feliway information

 

Thunderease spray is used to help relieve dog anxiety at home, during stressful events including giving comfort during veterinary visits.

Dog Anxiety

Our spacious waiting area and large exam rooms help dogs feel relaxed and never confined or cornered.

We use ThunderEase spray and ZeniDog diffusers with calming pheromones to create a soothing, stress-free environment.

Toys and treats are offered during each visit to create positive experiences and build trust over time.

We examine your dog wherever they feel most comfortable such as floor, couch, table or being held for a calmer, more personalized experience.

Dog anxiety products

 

Anxiety Medication

Some pets experience severe anxiety from past veterinary visits, which can make exams or procedures stressful and unsafe for both pets and staff.

To support your pet’s comfort and safety while helping rebuild trust for future visits, pre-visit calming medication may be recommended when needed.

If your pet has had difficult veterinary experiences in the past, we encourage you to call ahead so we can discuss personalized options to help make their visit more comfortable.

 

 

 

Frequently asked questions about vet visit anxiety

What are the biggest worries or fears pet owners have when their furry friends get anxious about coming to the vet?
Pet owners often worry about anxiety during the car ride, fear, anxiety, or aggression during the visit itself, and the overall stress associated with past negative experiences at the vet.

How does Paws Bay Animal Hospital help make vet visits less stressful for pets and their owners?

We utilize calming pheromones to create a sense of security, offer large exam rooms to prevent pets from feeling cornered, and use treats and toys to lessen procedure stress. Our team conducts exams where your pet is most comfortable, whether on the floor, table, couch, or while being held.

If pets are still too stressed to proceed, we discuss use of pre visit anxiety medication to help them be more comfortable during their visit. 

What's the best outcome a pet owner can expect after we help them manage their pet's vet visit anxiety?
Ideally, our goal is for all pets and owners to enjoy coming to see us. While complete elimination of stress isn't always possible, we aim to significantly decrease the amount of anxiety both pets and owners feel when a visit to our hospital is necessary.

Why is a calm environment important for pets at the vet?
A calm environment reduces stress hormones, promotes a more accurate physical exam, and helps build trust between your pet and our veterinary team, leading to better long-term health outcomes.

Paws Bay Animal Hospital

Serving Oldsmar • Westchase • Town ‘n’ Country • Citrus Park • Upper Tampa Bay • and more...

Address

8983 Racetrack Rd

33635 Tampa

(Next to Publix)

Opening Hours

Mon, Wed, Fri: 8:30am - 6pm

Thurs: 9am-4pm