It is always important to practice proper etiquette with your pet in the veterinary setting. Please take note of the following during your visit with Paws & Prairie.
1. Keep your dog on a leash.
-Hospital waiting areas can be stressful for many pets. To have a dog loose and running about, even a friendly one, can make matters worse. Use of flexi/retractable leashes are not permitted within the clinic. If you do not have a regular leash, one will be borrowed to you upon arrival. Borrowed leashes must be returned to staff members at discharge or you will be charged accordingly.
2. Keep your cat in a carrier.
-Please keep your cat or other small mammals in a carrier during their stay in the lobby for their protection and comfort. If you do not have a carrier, one will be borrowed to you upon arrival. Carriers must be returned to staff members at discharge or you will be charged accordingly.
3. Keep your pet away from other waiting animals.
-Dogs are curious and may want to greet other dogs (or peer in at the cats). Keep your dog next to you, within your control and safely on their leash. This reduces the potential of spreading disease (especially to unvaccinated puppies) and reduces the chances of a fight or aggression from a dog in pain.
4. Be aware.
-Tensions can escalate quickly between animals with stress, pain, shyness, or anxiety. Stay aware and keep an eye on your pet.
5. Success starts before you leave the house.
-Alleviate some of your cat’s stress by getting them used to their carrier and to being in the car well before a visit. Calming pheromone sprays like Feliway in the carrier can also help.
-If you need advice, just ask. There are also calming sprays for dogs. Bring treats if you need a distraction. If your pet is very anxious for vet visits – sometimes pre-medicating is helpful to reduce their stress, please let us know if you have concerns of this nature.
6. Communicate your pet’s needs.
-Please let reception know ahead of time if your pet is showing signs of a contagious illness, such as an upper respiratory infection or cough. Also, let us know if your pet has an accident in the waiting room. (Don’t be embarrassed–it happens all the time.) If your pet is very anxious or has behavioral issues, we would also like to know so that we can put your pet at ease and arrange for everyone’s safety.
7. Give your pet time to go to the potty ahead of time.
-This not only reduces the likelihood of accidents, but it also helps your pet be calmer during the wait.
8. Go to the restroom before your visit if possible.
-It’s best to never leave your pet unattended in the waiting room.
9. Practice good manners.
-Just like you might at a human waiting room, practicing patience and respect for others can go a long way in making everyone’s experience a positive one.
-Put cell phones on silent and take phone conversations outside to create a quiet, more relaxing environment.
10. Maintain Positive Energy in the Lobby.
– Our goal is to maintain a positive and calm environment to help reduce stress and anxiety for all our patients and clients.
– If your pet is vocalizing/barking – this can trigger more stress for other pets – waiting in your car or outside on a bench may help reduce the stress level for other pets.