We love cool pet news and the buzz this week about “fear-free” veterinarian offices was exciting to read. The trend is changing the traditional veterinarian office environment to include new elements that are more soothing and comfortable or familiar to pets. It can include office wall colors being soft pastels or other colors versus traditional bright white, as well as lab coats and scrubs. Fluorescent lighting is being swapped for other lighting options to create a more calming experience for pets of all kinds, while slippery, metal examination tables are being replaced by yoga mats. Offices are being expanded to include more space, and soft music is played instead of silence. It’s likely that the trend will expand to encompass the pet cages and runs for animals staying overnight. While cages and runs still need to be easy to clean and sterilize, it would be awesome for pets if a little comfort was included in their overnight stay.
The vet office can definitely be intimidating for pets, be it dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters, or any other animal you share your world with. According to the article above, up to 25% of animals need to be lightly sedated to cope with the stress of the veterinarian environment. It often prompts a lot of pet owners to wait until they see their veterinarian at the office to ask all of the questions and share the concerns they may have on other issues about their pet’s care. It’s in part another reason why we created Kuddly. Pet owners can get information they need about common pet concerns and issues from a verified, certified veterinarian from their smart phone or tablet. Not only can you connect with veterinarians around the world, your own veterinarian can use Kuddly as a means to answer patient questions and share insight on issues when an office visit may not be necessary.
What an exciting year already for pets everywhere. New changes in how we care for our pets, new ideas and innovations, laws, and legislation are already making 2016 one of the best year’s yet!
