Key Points:
- To prepare dogs for the vet, take them for a long walk before the appointment to burn off excess energy.
- For cats, do your best to acclimate them to their carrier and your car before heading to the vet’s office.
- If you’re seeing a veterinarian for the first time, send over your pet’s historical medical records, including their most recent vaccination record, in advance.
- Anxious pet parents (and parents of anxious pets) may want to call the office and ask when it will be least crowded.
As a dedicated pet parent, you want to give your fur baby the best life possible, and taking care of your pet’s health and wellness is a huge part of that. You know that your veterinarian is the ultimate pet health resource — but how do you make the most of your time together?
We can tell you that a little preparation goes a long way. Whether you’re coming in for your annual wellness exam or an unexpected sick visit, your future self will thank you for doing things like sending over your pet’s medical history and getting pet insurance before you see the vet.
Along with pet insurance, you may want to research ways to save on your pet’s preventive care. Pumpkin recently introduced the Pumpkin Wellness Club, a new program that helps you save up to $390 per year on routine care like yearly wellness visits, vaccines, and health screenings as well as other perks, including a 24/7 pet health helpline and discounts on top pet products.*
Keep reading for more tips that will set you up for a successful vet visit — and don’t forget the treats!
1. Make a list of everything you want to cover
With so many new sights, sounds, and smells, a trip to the vet can be overwhelming for your furry family member. It’s easy to forget your healthcare goals when your pup is making new friends or your cat is exploring the exam room.
That’s why it’s important that you jot down a list of any questions or concerns you have prior to your visit. Make a list and check it once you arrive at the vet hospital. This way, you can be sure everything is communicated to the veterinary team when you check in, and you can easily reference your notes afterward.
Pet Pro Tip: Check your vet’s website for a “documents and forms” tab. Complete these forms before your visit to save time in the waiting room, especially if your pet tends to be nervous.
2. Schedule your pet’s appointment well in advance
Be sure to schedule your pet’s appointment as early as possible if you have a preferred time or a favorite doctor. Most vet practices will schedule you at a selected time of day with enough notice. They may even have a scheduling link on their website so you can lock in appointments months ahead of time.
Remember: Primary care vet hospitals are the ideal care facilities for wellness needs, whereas emergency rooms and urgent care facilities are best for sick visits and emergencies. If you’re bringing your pet in for a routine check-up, avoid urgent care facilities as they use a triaging system that can extend wait times for non-life-threatening needs.
Pet Pro Tip: If you have an anxious pet, ask when the hospital tends to be the least busy. You can inquire about scheduling directly after your vet’s lunch break or first thing in the morning. If you have an anxious dog, you may also implement Fear Free behavior modification and socialization techniques prior to the appointment.
3. Consider pet insurance
The truth is, pets get sick or hurt all the time, and the cost of vet bills can add up fast. Pet parents are forced to make difficult decisions when money is tight, but when they find out their bill is covered by pet insurance, they experience incredible relief. For this reason, it’s a good idea to consider getting pet insurance before your next vet visit.
Keep in mind that most providers have waiting periods and don’t cover pre-existing conditions, so the sooner you get it, the better. Pumpkin’s pet insurance plans cover up to 90% of your eligible vet bill, only have a 14-day waiting period, and it’s easy to get a quote. Best of all, it helps you to say ‘yes’ to the best possible care.
Pet Pro Tip: Pumpkin also recently introduced a wellness program that helps pet parents save on the costs of routine care pet insurance usually doesn’t cover and other perks like discounts on top pet products. If you aren’t looking to get pet insurance right now, or already have a plan, you can still join the Pumpkin Wellness Club and get up to $100 towards your pet’s yearly vet checkup to start, plus more cash towards other services like vaccinations and spay/neuter procedures.
4. Start the experience at home
What many pet parents don’t realize is that the vet visit starts before you even get in the car.
For cats, it’s important they become accustomed to their travel carrier well before the vet visit. Place your carrier in a low-stress area of the home for at least 3 days before the appointment. You can add their favorite treats, catnip, and even comforting synthetic feline cheek pheromone into the carrier to encourage your cat to step inside and explore. This will help to reduce fear and anxiety during transport.
Pet Pro Tip: If you know the weight of your cat’s carrier, your cat can stay in their cozy hideaway while they’re weighed on the scale. Label your cat carrier with the carrier’s exact weight for next time, and simply subtract the weight of the carrier from the number on the scale to get your cat’s weight.
For active dogs, consider a long walk before vet appointments to burn off extra energy. If your dog is new to a leash, practice walking on a short non-retractable leash before you come to the hospital. If you’re having trouble with pulling, try a training harness where the leash clip is located on the front of the chest for better control.
In some cases where pets have behavioral considerations, your doctor may recommend calming medications or a desensitization program. If your pet acts out of character at the hospital, consult with your veterinarian about a pre-visit anxiety protocol.
5. Come hungry!
So long as there are no health contraindications, bring your pet to the vet’s office hungry. If you have a food-motivated pet, you’ll want to bring their favorite treats as a distraction. For example, if you’re bringing in your rambunctious puppy for their vaccines, you can set up a food puzzle stuffed with kibble to keep them occupied. Or, if your cat is particularly nervous, bring along a satchel of their favorite catnip. This way, you won’t have to stress about their behavior and they’ll receive a thorough exam.
Bringing in your pet on an empty stomach also allows your vet to collect fasting blood work as needed. When your pet eats a fat-containing meal before blood collection, the sample can become “lipemic” or fatty.
Pet Pro Tip: Tip: If your pet is having a surgery or procedure, ask your veterinary team about the recommended fasting protocol.
6. Send over any historical medical records
Your veterinarian will want all of your pet’s historical records sent over prior to your appointment. When your pet is checked in by the veterinary team, be sure to describe important medical history and provide their most recent vaccination record. The last thing you want is to waste valuable time with your doctor shuffling through paperwork. Take advantage of this one-on-one time and ask all of your burning (pet-related) questions.
7. Don’t skimp on SOAP
It’s not bath time, but don’t overlook the importance of SOAP! SOAP is a method veterinary teams use to record medical notes. The “S” stands for subjective, which is your pet’s medical history. The “O” stands for objective, which is your pet’s physical exam. “A” stands for assessment, which is the diagnosis, and “P” stands for plan, which is your pet’s treatment plan.
A technician will typically record your pet’s medical history before you even see the vet, and many people tend to overlook or rush through this critical step. It’s important that you share all the pertinent information with your technician so that they have it transcribed on the record.
Pet Pro Tip: Don’t forget to share your pet’s current medication list. List the dose size, frequency of administration, and when you gave it last.
8. Set reminders & schedule follow-ups
Unfortunately, not all pets will receive a clean bill of health, which means that you may have some post-appointment homework to do.
Follow your vet’s care recommendations and schedule follow-up appointments before you depart from the vet’s office or hospital. We understand life is busy, but your pet’s health should be a priority. Try your best to set calendar reminders for monthly flea prevention dosing, yearly or twice-yearly wellness visits, and an annual dental cleaning.
Though simple, these tips will help you optimize your time at the vet immensely. And remember: Just like you, your vet wants to see your pet happy and healthy. Taking a little extra time to prepare will help ensure that you are successful at your next vet visit and beyond.
