Muzzle your Mutt?

Should you be offended when your vet asks to muzzle your dog?

Let's face it: most owners don't enjoy seeing their pets muzzled at the vet. It's like being told your kid has detention or was sent to the principal's office. We get it and try hard to avoid it most of the time. When you think about it, though, having your pet muzzled does not necessarily reflect your pet's behavior or lack of training. Certain procedures at a vet visit may make your pet uncomfortable or even briefly painful, and we understand that a dog can't yell Ouch; they may cry or snap at us. We don't blame them for that. But we have our safety and yours to consider in addition to your pet's. The sooner you realize a muzzle is more of a tool than a punishment we can move on to doing the best physical exam possible to come to a diagnosis and treatment plan more quickly. 

Jekyll vs Hyde

It's also important to remember that we are strangers to your pet, and while he or she may have the most delightful disposition at home or around familiar faces, their behavior can change instantly when they feel threatened or nervous. Veterinarians are not only well trained in medicine, but we must also be keen to subtle cues and behaviors your pet may show that can indicate to us that they are starting to feel stressed, fearful, or angry. We understand that this is natural and we in no way intend to make you feel like your pet is "badly behaved" or "scary". 

My Techs aren't willing to bet their faces on your dog.

Please take a minute to put yourself in your vet staff's shoes. We have to get up close and personal with an animal that may not trust us and has the potential to do serious harm to us. We cannot continue to do our jobs if the tools we use are injured or worse because of a split-second reaction by your pet. As much as we love them, they are still animals and deserve respect and caution. As popular as family dogs have become, there are still countless stories of vets and pet owners being seriously injured or killed by the same pets we feed and care for daily. We all have bad days…and so can our dogs. We ask that you respect our desire to stay safe so we can keep your furry friend healthy and happy (and they will appreciate fewer vet visits, too!) 

Muzzle Up!

So the next time your vet requests that your pet be muzzled, remember this is nothing to be ashamed of, and the visit will go much more smoothly if we can do our job efficiently and effectively to avoid added stress to you and your pet. You also get major brownie points if you muzzle your pet before entering your vet office if you are aware your pet may react aggressively to new people or other dogs. Basket muzzles can be an excellent way to keep everyone safe and show the staff you are a responsible pet owner. We look forward to building a healthy and safe relationship with your pet, and we need you, the pet owner, to help make that happen.