Fear and anxiety during veterinary visits are among the most significant preventable welfare harms for dogs, with low-stress handling protocols, pre-visit medications, and Fear Free practices substantially improving outcomes.
Dogs experiencing fear at veterinary visits undergo sympathetic nervous system activation — elevated cortisol, heart rate, and blood pressure — that can persist for hours after the visit. Repeated fearful experiences sensitise dogs, causing progressive worsening of anxiety at each visit. Restraint of highly fearful dogs without sedation causes acute distress and risks injury to both dog and veterinary staff. Low-stress handling with positive reinforcement, minimal restraint, and pleasant sensory associations (treats, calming music) dramatically reduces fear responses over time.