A vet visit shouldn't feel like a fight. If your dog is trembling or your cat is screaming, something is fundamentally wrong.
Barking dogs and stressed cats in a cramped South African waiting room? That is a recipe for disaster before the exam even starts.
If it only smells like harsh bleach, your pet is on high alert. Modern clinics use pheromones like Adaptil or Feliway to signal 'calm.'
Forget fasting. A hungry pet is a motivated pet. Use unseasoned biltong shavings or xylitol-free peanut butter to make the vet their best friend.
Cold, slippery tables are terrifying. A low-stress vet will examine your dog on the floor or keep your cat in their crate with the top removed.
Forcing an animal into a 'stretch' or scruffing a cat is outdated. Look for 'touch transparency' and minimal restraint methods instead.
If your pet is too stressed to eat, a good vet stops. Pushing through leads to lifelong phobias and inaccurate medical data.
Pre-visit meds (PVPs) aren't lazy. They lower the anxiety 'noise' so your pet can actually learn that the surgery is a safe space.
Trembling, hiding, or refusing treats they usually love? They have hit their limit. It is time to pause and adjust the plan.
Full sedation might cost R400–R1200, but it saves your pet from years of trauma and the risk of 'vet aggression' in the future.
Don't let a clinic 'just get it over with.' If the handling feels too rough, you have the right to intervene and walk out.
A calm pet provides accurate heart rates and blood glucose data. Low-stress handling isn't just about being kind—it’s about high-quality healthcare.
Get our 5-question screening checklist to ensure your South African vet follows modern, science-based handling standards.