Fear Free

What is Fear Free?

Fear Free is a program established by Dr. Marty Becker in 2016. Its primary goal is to alleviate pet anxiety and create a less stressful veterinary experience. Research, such as the 2014 Bayer Veterinary Healthcare Usage study, indicates that a significant portion of pet parents, 37% and 58% of canine and feline friends respectively, report their pets dislike veterinary visits. Furthermore, 26% of dog owners and 38% of cat owners find the mere thought of a vet appointment stressful.

The Importance of Stress-Free Veterinary Visits

Adopting Fear Free practices significantly reduces stress and trauma for pets and their owners. Consistent veterinary check-ups contribute to your pet’s overall well-being and happiness. Furthermore, these routine appointments facilitate the early detection and treatment of potential health issues or diseases.

Preparing Your Pet for a Stress-Reduced Visit

A Fear Free veterinary experience often starts before leaving home. Ensure your pet is brought on a leash or in a pet carrier. Many cats experience anxiety as soon as they see their carrier at home. To minimize this, acclimate your cat to their carrier through these methods:"

Place the carrier in a frequently visited area of your home.
Line the carrier with familiar bedding, such as your cat’s favorite blanket or something with your scent.
Daily, place treats, toys, or catnip inside the carrier to encourage independent entry.

When choosing a cat carrier, consider these features for a less stressful visit:

Opt for a carrier with a wide opening and dual front and top access, facilitating easier entry and exit.
Select a carrier that separates in the middle, allowing the top to be removed. This enables us to conduct the examination with your cat remaining in the comfortable bottom portion.

How Do We Practice Fear-Free Techniques?

All of our hospitals have team members who are Fear Free Certified, meaning they have undergone extensive training in stress-reduction techniques for animal care. The aim of these learned skills and tools is to minimize anxiety for pets and their owners throughout the veterinary experience. When pets are relaxed, we can deliver higher-quality medical care and ensure the safety of our team.

Creating a Calm Environment for Your Canine Companions

To ensure a more relaxed experience for your canine companions, we implement several Fear Free techniques. These include:

Using Adaptil, a calming pheromone spray, on our team's attire and the resting area for your dog.
Placing an Adaptil diffuser near the dog’s weighing scale.
Offering a variety of treats in our exam rooms, such as peanut butter, cheese, and biscuits.
Playing relaxing music designed for dogs.
Prioritizing gentle handling over physical restraint to perform treatments or diagnostics. In certain cases, mild sedation may be recommended for anxious patients or painful procedures.

Creating a Calm Atmosphere for Your Furry Felines

To minimize stress for our feline patients, we implement several Fear Free strategies, including:

Applying Feliway, a calming cat pheromone spray, to our team’s attire and the cat’s resting area.
Using a Feliway diffuser in our cat waiting area.
Providing a variety of treats in our exam rooms, including soft, crunchy, and flavored options.
Offering a dedicated cat-only exam room and waiting area (availability varies by location).
Playing relaxing music designed for cats.
Avoiding scruffing unless absolutely necessary for human safety. In some cases, mild sedation may be recommended for anxious cats or painful procedures.

Recognizing Pet Stress Signals

Our team is skilled in identifying signs of stress in animals and in implementing strategies to reduce that stress. We've compiled a helpful guide to assist you in understanding the various moods and stress indicators your pet may exhibit.