Rules of the Vet Waiting Room

Let's discuss rules of the vet waiting room. You probably know how to act when in your doctor or dentist's waiting room, but many people don't take their pets to the veterinarian all that often and sometimes forget simple rules that they can follow to be courteous and keep all pets safe. After reading this article you will have a better understanding of what you should and should not do when in a veterinary waiting room.

You don't want to be rude, but you also don't want to bother anyone. You can talk to other pet owners, but don't just touch their pet. You don't know how friendly a pet is and if it will bit you. Also, don't talk to someone that isn't very talkative, they may be worried about their pet and not be in the mood to socialize. You should also keep your pet to yourself.

Pets often don't act like themselves when at the veterinarian. To prevent fights or the spreading of an illness your best bet is to keep your pet with you and retrained. It can be impossible to control a pet that isn't on a leash or in a carrier. If your pet is unrestrained it could run out the door, get into a fight with another animal, bite someone, etc. All different species of pets could be in your veterinarian's waiting room and you don't want your cat to eat someone's pet bird or hamster, or your dog to start chasing a cat around so keep them restrained. Leashes and pet carriers are inexpensive and they will also make the car ride to and from the vet a lot easier.

If your pet has anxiety or aggression problems make sure you call ahead and remind the veterinary staff. They can allow you to come in a back entrance and avoid your pet from dealing with other pets. Your veterinarian and their staff want to keep everyone as safe and stress free as possible so they will be happy to help come up with a plan for pets that won't handle the situation well.

If you have a large dog or are taking two pets to the vet at once you may want to ask a friend or family member for help. Taking a small child is not the best option. A small child won't really be able to control or help with a pet. You will end up having to worry about multiple pets and your child this will just be more difficult and stressful for you. If your child is older then they may be able to help. If nobody can assist you in your trip to the vet, then just make separate appointments for your pets.

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.