Vetiquette

By Peggie Arvidson-Dailey

This week my dog Kiera had to go to the vet. I’ll spare you the gory details, but I can assure you, there was no doubt in my mind that something was not right with my normally perfect girl.

While I was at the Vet I struck up a conversation with the team there about some of the things they wish people would remember when they bring their pets in for care. As we talked I realized that there’s some great information here – especially since we shared a few giggles and a few gasps about some pretty rude behavior. Voila! A column on “vetiquette.”

So, here are some things, courtesy of my hard-working front-desk friends at Del Ray Animal Hospital, to keep in mind to make sure you don’t find yourself on the wrong side of the “vetiquette” police.

1. You’re not the only one with a sick animal who is nervous at the office. Try to take into consideration the fact that every person in the waiting room has a sick animal – or at least one that’s not necessarily pleased to be there.

2. Remember people go to the vet for different reasons. Some may be getting over a devastating diagnosis while sitting quietly in the waiting room. Some may have just put their companion to rest after battling an illness. Even if you have the cutest puppy in the world, they may not really be in the mood to be reminded of happier times with their own pet.

3. Not everyone is a “dog person” or a “cat person.” Don’t assume that folks in the waiting room want to play with your pets or appreciate being slobbered, kissed, or purred on by your pride and joy.

4. Vet Clients are entitled to the same privacy as people-doctor clients. When you head to the doctor and you’re getting ready to pay, you don’t expect to have other patients leaning over the counter, looking at your receipt or listening to your diagnosis, do you? When you leave the examining room, realize that it will take a bit to process your receipt and if the front desk staff is busy with another client, respect their privacy and let them finish before you elbow your way up to the desk. Remember, financial stuff that isn’t yours isn’t your business.

5. Don’t offer treats to pets that don’t belong to you. This is a plain petiquette rule. No matter where you are, please don’t feed someone else’s dog or cat. Even if it is your pet’s favorite homemade liver treat. Remember, one of the reasons that pet may be at the vet’s office can be tummy trouble!

6. Keep your cat in the carrier. I thought this was a no-brainer, but I’ve been assured that there are lots of people who insist that “Pookie” just hates the carrier and is perfectly behaved in all situations. Generally this assurance is coming as the owner is proudly watching Pookie walk across the front desk.

7. You are as important as the next person. Meaning, you and your pets needs are of equal importance as those of every other client at the clinic. Speaking rudely, disregarding rules (like cats in the carriers), and pushing other clients’ paperwork out of your way do not make you a more important pet-owner. In fact, it may make some people utter, “there’s an attitude only a pet would love!”

The staff at every clinic goes out of their way to treat each and every pet with care, attention and tenderness. Sharing that attitude with your fellow vet clients can go a long way to keeping you out of ‘vetiquette’ jail!

(c) 2006 Peggie Arvidson-Dailey

Peggie Arvidson-Dailey is the owner of Peggie's Pet Services (one of the Region’s BEST pet-care companies, as rated by The Washingtonian Magazine.) She's also an engaging and lively speaker on topics related to the love affair between dogs and their humans. She's an advocate for happy and healthy homes for all species and is eager to assist in creating them.

If you want a monthly dose of tips and golden nuggets of information on living with and caring for your pet throughout his life, be sure to subscribe to "The Care of Pets" at http://www.peggiespets.com. Peggie is also a pet-care business advocate and the founder of the Pet Care Business Success University, which can be found at http://www.petcareuniversity.com.

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