How to Help Your Dog Stay Calm During Vet Visits

Let’s be honest, most of us don’t look forward to going to the doctor or dentist. The poking, the prodding, the slightly too-bright lighting isn’t exactly a spa day. But at least we know why we’re there, how long it’ll take, and that we get to go home after. But for our dogs, they have no context or expectations when it comes to vet visits.

From their perspective, vet visits involve a strange car ride that ends in a place full of unfamiliar smells, slippery floors, weird sounds, and people touching them in all the places they don’t want to be touched. They don’t know what’s happening or why, or how long they’ll be there for, and that uncertainty can bring on serious stress and anxiety.

Some dogs handle vet visits like champs. Sure, it’s probably not their favourite outing, but they tolerate it just fine. But other dogs can find vet visits extremely uncomfortable. You can see it as soon as you reach for the harness or open the car door that their panic sets in. It might appear as shaking, panting, hiding, whining, no matter what it is, it’s tough to see your pup in that state. It also makes vet visits stressful for you, too.

Thankfully though, there are ways to make vet visits a lot more manageable for both of you. In this blog, we’re going to explore some simple, practical, and dog-friendly strategies to help your furry friend feel calmer and more confident at the vet.

There’s no mystery why vet visits aren’t exactly your dog’s favourite pastime. Our pups are creatures of habit; you’ve probably noticed the puppy eyes they give you when it’s time for their walk or dinner. So, the moment that routine changes, it can put them on high alert.

For many dogs, the stress starts before they even get to the clinic. Car rides themselves can be anxiety-inducing since some dogs get carsick while others simply associate the car with “going somewhere scary.” Then, you arrive at a place filled with unfamiliar smells, aka scents of other pets and disinfectant, as well as bright lights, slippery floors, and other nervous animals. It’s a sensory overload from the get-go.

And then come the people, well-meaning, friendly vet staff who are essentially strangers poking, lifting, examining, and sometimes giving shots. Even if it’s done gently, it can feel invasive for your pup. Your dog doesn’t understand what’s happening; all they know is that it’s uncomfortable, and they’re not in control.

To top it off, past experiences can shape how your dog feels about future visits. If your pup once had surgery or a painful treatment, they might associate the vet clinic with fear or pain, even if this visit is just a quick nail trim.

Understanding what exactly triggers your dog’s anxiety during vet visits, whether it’s the car, the waiting room, or the exam itself, its super important in helping you make the next steps to ensure future trips are less stressful.

Just like people, dogs show stress in different ways and some of the signs can be surprisingly subtle. But it’s important to know them if you can, because your dog’s stress signals are key to helping them feel better before it snowballs into full blown panic mode.

Some dogs might be very vocal about their discomfort, whining, barking, or even growling when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Others go quiet and shut down and instead might tremble, pant excessively, or lick their lips repeatedly. Another obvious sign, one most of us are familiar with, is a tail tucked between their legs. You may even notice them shedding more than usual or refusing treats they’d normally love.

Other signs can include pacing, hiding behind you, pulling toward the exit, or trying to climb into your lap, even if they’re not exactly lap-sized! And some dogs freeze completely, becoming rigid with wide eyes and ears pinned back, almost like they’re trying to disappear.

In some cases, stress can even show up as physical symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, or peeing. Accidents in vets waiting rooms aren’t uncommon, so don’t worry if this happens. It’s not a behavioural issue but just fear taking over.

Every dog is different, so the way your pup expresses stress might be totally unique to them. The more in tune you are with your dog’s behaviour and body language, the easier it’ll be to spot those early signs and step in before things escalate.

Now that you know what to look out for and you’ve had a chance to think about what might be causing your dog’s stress, it’s time to focus on solutions. Every dog is different, so finding what works best for your pup may take a bit of trial and error.

But there are loads of simple, effective ways to make vet visits more relaxing for your dog. Whether you’re working on building positive associations, easing travel stress, or just making the waiting room feel less scary, these small steps can lead to big improvements.

Treats are one of the easiest and most effective tools for helping dogs feel more comfortable during vet visits. They work by creating positive associations with the trip aka if this place equals chicken, maybe it’s not so bad!

Bring small, smelly, super tasty treats your dog doesn’t usually get, otherwise known as high value goodies like tiny cubes of cheese, roast chicken, or treat paste. Offer them in the car, while waiting, during the exam, and even afterward.

Keep the treats coming regularly so your dog stays focused on the good stuff. Treats can help distract, comfort, and even turn the vet into a place your pup actually looks forward to. Bonus points if your vet staff is happy to hand some out too.

For many dogs, the stress starts as soon as they realize a car ride is coming, especially if they’re used to associating it with something negative. You can ease this by creating a calm, secure space in the car. Try a well-fitted harness or a comfy crate with familiar blankets.

A non-slip seat cover can also help dogs feel stable and safe so there’s no sliding and thus less stress. You can also help by keeping the temperature pleasant, playing soft music, and avoid rushing. If your pup really dislikes the car, start taking short “just for fun” drives that end in treats or a park visit. Over time, this helps stop your pup associating the car with unpleasant trips like vet visits.

We all know just how powerful our pup’s noses are, so it makes sense that calming sprays for dogs can have a powerful impact on vet visits. Utilising relaxing and dog-safe essential oils like lavender and camomile, these sprays can help ease nerves by mimicking the natural signals that tell your dog that they’re safe.

You could spray a blanket, your car seat, or even a toy that your dog brings along for the trip. Just make sure you test any new product at home first, so your dog isn’t reacting to a new smell on top of everything else.

Licking is naturally calming for dogs since it releases endorphins and helps them self-soothe. That’s why bringing a lick mat, enrichment toy, or treat-dispensing puzzle to use in the waiting room can be a game-changer for vet visits.

Load a lick mat with dog-safe peanut butter or a soft treat paste and let your pup focus on something positive instead of everything going on around them. Not only does this help distract them from triggers like barking dogs or unfamiliar people, but it also builds a new, happier association with waiting at the vet. It’s a simple, low-effort strategy with big benefits.

Dogs thrive on routine and familiarity, so sudden changes can increase their stress. Try to keep vet visits as predictable as possible. If you can, schedule appointments during quieter times (your vet might be able to recommend a slower part of the day).

You can also help by using the same blanket or toy each time, speak in a calm voice, and avoid making a fuss. All of these little behaviour signals can help your dog realise that everything’s fine. You might also consider doing short, practice vet visits where you pop into the clinic just to say hi, get a treat, and leave. This helps your dog learn the vet isn’t always a big, scary deal.

In the same way you can read your dog like a book, your dog can read you too. So if you're tense, nervous, or rushing around, they’ll pick up on that energy and mirror it. We know that can be easier said than done, but taking a few deep breaths, staying relaxed, and moving at a slow, steady pace can make a huge difference in how your dog feels during vet visits.

Try not to overly reassure them with frantic petting or “it’s okay!” on repeat as this can sometimes add to their concern. Instead, be calm, confident, and casual because without you even realising it, these signals will tell your pup there’s nothing to worry about, and that you’ve got it all under control.

Vet visits will probably never be your dog’s favourite activity and that’s completely okay. Just like us humans, dogs can feel anxious when they’re put in unfamiliar, unpredictable situations, especially when added smells and noises are included, plus being touched by strangers. Combine all this together and it’s easy to see why many pups find the whole experience a bit overwhelming.

Knowing why your dog gets stressed, and recognising the signs early, whether it's trembling, lip licking, or simply refusing to get in the car, can help you take proactive steps to make things easier. Because the truth is, vet visits are a necessary part of keeping your pup happy and healthy, so anything we can do to reduce the stress makes a real difference for everyone involved including yourself.

Hopefully as we’ve proved, there are plenty of simple, thoughtful ways to help your dog feel more calm and secure, from bringing along their favourite treats, to creating a comfy car setup, to adding enrichment toys or calming scents to their routine.

And here at WOOOF, we’ve got your back when it comes to keeping your dog calm during vet visits. We offer a wide range of calming sprays for dogs, scented toys, lick mats, treat dispensers and high-value treats, all designed to support your dog’s wellbeing and help make vet visits a whole lot less stressful.

Rub-a-Dub-Dog: How to Keep Your Dog Calm in the Bath

10 of the Coolest Lick Mats for Dogs

How to Help Your Dog Tackle Separation Anxiety Through Enrichment