treatment station un.png
Image courtesy of Barbara Deg, RVT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, CSAT
All animals will need grooming and veterinary care at some point in their lives. Setting up a predictable treatment station for your pet will help reduce stress. Choose a well-lit area with space to work and where your pet is comfortable. The aim is to create a positive association with the station so that it can be relocated if necessary.
Before you start:
- Choose a space where there are no potential triggers or cues in the environment that could impact your pet’s feelings about the situation. Consider smells, sounds, visuals, and even tactile cues in the environment.
- Provide a non-slip base for your pet around the station.
- Use pheromones and mask sounds to make the environment more welcoming.
- Choose a space where you can easily access everything you need.
- Make sure your pet associates this area with something good. Toys, food puzzles and food will help reinforce this feeling.
trmt st three edit
Image courtesy of Barbara Deg, RVT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, CSAT
Dog Treatment Stations
- A treatment station can be as simple as a mat to give a visual and tactile indication of where you want your dog to be. Non-slip bath mats or yoga mats fold well and are portable.
- You may want to use an elevated station depending on the size of your dog and expected treatments. Make sure the surface is non-slip and that your dog can easily access it. If your dog cannot jump on or off raised surfaces, training him to accept being lifted or to go up and down should be a separate exercise.
- The platforms can be covered with a mat to provide comfort for your dog.
- A chair or stool can be used as a chin rest when your dog is standing on a mat.
- Keep the treatment station area inviting for your dog by doing fun things in and around the area. Do not use the station for treatments that your dog may already have a bad association with before you have trained him to like his treatment station.
trmt station edit
Image courtesy of Barbara Deg, RVT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, CSAT
For cats
- Cats thrive on predictability, which makes them perfect when working in processing stations.
- If the processing station is on the ground, make sure your equipment is accessible.
- A raised surface, such as a chair or table with a rug, works well as a treatment station.
- When using a raised surface, make sure there is a way for your cat to get on and off easily. Do not lift your cat or force it into the station.
- You can try using a high-sided bed, baby carrier or box and adapt it to make a treatment station.
- Be aware of olfactory, visual, auditory, and tactile cues and triggers in the environment.