Smart and Safe: Why Your Vet Wants to Muzzle Your Dog

Sometimes when you visit the vet with your dog, you may see a pooch in the waiting room who is wearing a muzzle. Chances are, you wonder why a muzzle was necessary. To many dog owners, the idea of muzzling their "furry baby" seems so unfair. After all,  if the dog has never bitten anyone at home or showed any real signs of aggression, then they don't need a muzzle, right? This might be the case when a dog is in a familiar environment, but a canine's behavior can change dramatically if they are nervous or afraid. Sometimes a muzzle is requested by the vet to keep your pup (and the vet) safe.

Why your vet may suggest a muzzle

Let's look at it from the vet's point of view. Your vet is used to dealing with a huge variety of dogs and other animals; they are an expert at reading your dog's facial expressions and body language. If they sense that your dog is uncertain about what is about to happen and may possibly react in a negative way, then a muzzle will be considered.

• Your vet may see signs of agitation
• Your vet may deem it safer to act before a bite occurs
• Your vet knows your dog is only communicating their feelings (typically fear when in the clinic) when they growl, so uses a muzzle to speed up the procedure 

Safety reasons why the vet may need to muzzle your dog

When a veterinarian decides a muzzle is the safest bet, they are thinking of your dog and how to make the clinic visit as quick and stress-free as possible. One thing to keep in mind is that while you might think the muzzle would only serve to make your dog more agitated, the reality is that most dogs will actually calm down once they are muzzled. A muzzle often creates a quieter, more relaxed, and much safer environment for your dog, your vet, and yourself.

From the vet's point of view:

• A muzzle eliminates the risk of your vet suffering a physical injury due to a bite that could leave them unable to work for a few days or longer
• The vet also has staff that he wants to keep safe and free of injury
• Despite the fact your vet works with dogs and other animals all day long, a serious bite can have a psychological impact on the vet
• Procedures that require restraint (like certain x-rays) may go more smoothly when a dog is muzzled
• Blood draws and temperature taking will be much faster
• When your dog is calm and muzzled, it allows the vet to get on with the treatment far more quickly
• A muzzled visit often reduces the time your vet has to be in the examining room (and in the muzzle)
  
• The vet can do a more comprehensive examination and make a quicker diagnosis without fear of being bitten
• No one wants to see a dog quarantined because of a bite

From the dog's point of view:

• If your dog is uncomfortable in the car or has motion sickness, they may already have a negative association with the vet because they feel sick when they arrive
• Your dog may be nervous in the environment of the clinic with the sounds and smells
• Some dogs become different in the clinic, not because they are aggressive, but due to fear
• Procedures like blood draws and dental exams can be scary to a canine
• Many dogs do not like their paws touched
• If there is pain, your dog may lash out automatically, just as a human may yank their hand back from a hot stove touched by accident

Tips for the vet visit

Take a few steps to make your furry buddy's next appointment at the veterinary clinic less stressful:

• Take your dog to the vet's office just as a fun drive to get a treat from a friendly staff member; vets encourage this practice
• Go for short visits now and then, like a quick check of the ears or eyes in between full examinations
• When you arrive, let your dog sniff around the clinic yard, exploring smells
• If the waiting room is empty, let your pup walk around
• If the waiting room stresses your dog, wait outside until it is your turn
• Speak in a normal tone while in the office; don't use a high voice or let your own nerves show through
• If the vet advises you let them examine your dog while you wait in the reception area, agree to it; doing so can make the visit smoother

Whether a muzzle is required for a veterinary appointment or not, don't fret. The appointment is only a few minutes long. Your pup will then be happily wagging their tail on the way to the car, none the worse for wear.