Do's and Don'ts of Your Vet's Waiting Room

Do you want to know the do's and don'ts of your vet's waiting room?Your veterinarian may not have a list of rules hanging on the wall when you go in, but there are definitely some rules they would probably love for everyone to follow. As with everywhere else there are do's and don'ts that you can follow to keep both pets and pet owners safe and not annoyed.

Don't just hold your pet. Sorry, but in a vet's waiting room your pet may become scared and your loving arms won't be enough. To avoid bites, scratches and a pet on the loose you should have your pet in a cage, carrier, or on a leash. A loose pet at the vet's can be a disaster. It only takes one animal to start chaos between all the animals.

Don't bring more pets than you can handle. If you have multiple pets and they are all healthy you may decide to take them all for a checkup at once. This may save you some time and gas, but it will most likely cause more stress for everyone. One person isn't enough to handle multiple animals at the vet. Bring your spouse or a friend to help you. Make sure your helper is an adult, not a small child. A child only creates more for you to handle.

Do wait outside if the veterinary waiting room is small and full of pets. If your pet is in a carrier and will be okay then sit in the waiting room. However, if you have a large dog, a pet that has anxiety, or an aggressive pet then you will want to avoid a small packed room. Let the receptionist that you have arrived and will be outside.

Do tell someone if you need something. Let the staff know if your pet is freaking out. They are professionals that can help. They can take you to a room immediately or help find a way to calm your pet down. If you have a dog that is aggressive call ahead of time and tell them. This can allow the vet and their staff to let you in a back entrance or have a muzzle ready.  

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.