The Fear Free Approach
Fear Free is a program started by Dr. Marty Becker in 2016 to make vet visits less stressful for pets. His goal was to "take the pet out of petrified" and help pets feel comfortable at the vet. A 2014 study found that 37% of dog owners and 58% of cat owners say their pets dislike vet visits. Additionally, 26% of dog owners and 38% of cat owners find the idea of a vet visit stressful.
Why is Fear Free Important?
Fear Free visits reduce stress and anxiety for both pets and their owners. Regular check-ups help pets stay happy and healthy, allowing early detection and treatment of potential health issues.
Helping Your Pet with Transport
A stress-free vet visit starts at home. Always bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier. Many cats become anxious when they see their carrier, so try these tips:
- Keep the carrier in a familiar area.
- Place soft bedding inside, preferably with your scent.
- Add treats, toys, or catnip inside to encourage your cat to explore it.
Not all carriers are the same. The best options include:
- A large opening at the front and top for easy access.
- A removable top half, allowing your cat to stay in the bottom during the exam.
How We Use Fear Free Techniques
Each of our hospitals has Fear Free Certified team trained in reducing pet anxiety before, during, and after a visit. By keeping pets calm, we improve the quality of care and ensure a safe, positive experience for both pets and our team.
Caring Hands Animal Hospital team may utilize the following approaches to support a Fear Free visit for your pet.
Making Canine Companions Comfortable
We use the following to create a calm atmosphere for dogs:
- We use a calming scent spray to make dogs feel at ease.
- Adaptil diffusers are used above the dog's scale.
- We provide a variety of treats in the exam rooms.
- We play relaxing music designed for dogs.
- We handle dogs gently and may suggest calming medicine for pets who are scared.
Making Cats Comfortable
We use various methods to reduce stress for our cat patients.
- We use Feliway (a cat “happy message” pheromone spray) to make cats feel at ease.
- Feliway diffuser is used in the cat waiting area.
- We provide a variety of treats for cats.
- We have a separate cat room (at selected locations).
- We play relaxing music made for cats.
- We handle cats gently and avoid scruffing unless needed for safety. We may suggest calming medicine for scared cats or painful tasks.
Recognizing Stress
Our team is trained to spot stress in pets and take steps to ease it. Use this chart to better understand your pet’s moods.
