Having a pet hospitalized can be an emotional and difficult experience. As a caring pet owner, your first instinct may be to rush to your pet’s side at the animal hospital or veterinary clinic. However, before doing so, it’s important to consider whether visiting your hospitalized pet is in their best interest. There are pros and cons to visiting a sick pet that warrant careful thought.
Can visiting stress your pet?
Visiting your hospitalized pet has the potential to cause them more stress and impede their recovery. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- The unfamiliar hospital environment is already stressful and scary for your pet. Your presence may overstimulate them.
- Pet hospitals and vet clinics are filled with strange smells, sounds, people and animals. This can be overwhelming for a sick pet.
- Medical procedures and treatments your pet is undergoing may make them feel unwell. A visit from you could worsen discomfort.
- Your pet may be in an isolation ward if contagious. Extra people entering increases infection risks.
- Seeing you but then having you leave again could heighten separation anxiety.
The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that a visit from a loved one can spike a sick pet’s blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety levels. Their immune system may also be suppressed.
What are the benefits of visiting your hospitalized pet?
Despite potential stress risks, there are also advantages to visiting your sick pet:
- Your familiar face, voice and scent can reassure your pet and lower stress.
- You can help ensure your pet is being properly cared for by staff.
- Seeing your pet lets you directly gauge their condition and progress.
- Your presence demonstrates your bond and commitment to your pet.
- You can provide personal items from home like a favorite toy or bed.
- Interacting with your pet can aid their socialization and recovery.
So while visiting comes with risks, the comfort of your presence may outweigh those downsides for some pets.
How long should you stay when visiting your hospitalized pet?
If you do decide visiting your pet is best, how long should you stay? Here are some guidelines:
- Keep initial visits short, around 5-10 minutes.
- Watch for signs of stress like pacing, panting, whimpering.
- Let your pet approach you first rather than overwhelming them.
- Sit quietly and pet them gently if they seem comfortable with contact.
- Slowly extend visit length as your pet relaxes and improves.
- Leave if your pet seems agitated or withdrawn.
Brief, calm interactions are ideal. You can gradually increase visit time as your pet shows interest and improvement in their condition.
When should you not visit your hospitalized pet?
There are certain situations where visiting your sick pet is not recommended:
- If your pet is in isolation due to a contagious illness.
- If they just underwent major surgery and need uninterrupted rest.
- If they are in an unstable, critical condition.
- If the vet advises against it due to your pet’s anxiety level.
- If you or your pet have infectious illnesses transmissible to others.
- If you cannot emotionally handle seeing your pet sick and stressed.
It’s best not to visit if it puts your pet or others at medical risk. Listen to your vet’s judgement on whether a visit could hinder rather than help.
Can you visit if your pet is quarantined?
If your pet is quarantined at the hospital due to a highly contagious disease, visitation is not possible. Examples of illnesses requiring quarantine are parvovirus, panleukopenia and ringworm. Attempting to visit jeopardizes the health of other animals and people. Vets also cannot allow pet owners to enter isolation wards or rooms.
For less contagious conditions, the vet may allow a short visit with protective gear like gloves, a mask and gown. But for truly dire contagious diseases, visiting is prohibited until the quarantine period ends. Focus on your pet’s safe recovery and communicate with the vet instead.
Are there visiting hour restrictions?
Animal hospitals and clinics often have set visiting hours which may limit when you can see your pet:
- Morning visits may not be possible due to overnight procedures.
- Mealtimes may be restricted if stimulating your pet could impede eating.
- Late night visits are unlikely as most vet hospitals close by evening.
- Hours may be shorter on weekends and holidays when staffing is lower.
Call ahead to ask when best to come. While facilities try to accommodate owners, your pet’s treatment schedule takes priority over visiting availability. Respect the hours and rules.
Can children visit a hospitalized pet?
Having your child see a cherished pet sick and in a hospital setting can be hard. Consider these factors regarding pediatric visits:
- Prepare your child for the pet’s condition to avoid trauma.
- Follow age minimums. Children under 5 are often prohibited.
- Limit visit length to under 10 minutes for young children.
- Closely supervise interaction to ensure gentle handling.
- Leave if your pet or child become distressed.
- Have child wash hands before and after visit.
- Do not allow child visits if pet is in isolation.
Well prepared child visits can benefit both pet and child. But anxious, rambunctious or sick kids should not visit to avoid disrupting the pet’s care.
What items should you bring on a visit?
You can make your pet feel more at home by bringing familiar items from the house:
- A favorite toy or bed to comfort them
- A tasty treat if approved by the vet
- Your own brush if grooming calms your pet
- A blanket or item smelling like you or home
- A leash and collar they recognize
- Photos or videos of family or other pets
Ask the vet first about any outside items. But personal belongings can greatly soothe an anxious, unstable pet.
What rules should you follow during visits?
To make sure your visit benefits your pet and does not interfere with their care, follow these rules:
- Check with the vet before visiting if your pet is in isolation or critical condition.
- Obey all hospital protocols and restrictions explained by staff.
- Keep voices low to avoid alarming your pet or others.
- Supervise children closely so they don’t disrupt your pet.
- Avoid crowding your pet or blocking care from staff.
- Leave promptly at the end of the allowed visit time.
- Wash hands before and after contact with your pet.
- Follow any additional rules from the vet or hospital.
With proper etiquette, your visit can go smoothly without interfering with hospital care protocols and routines.
What types of interaction help a hospitalized pet?
Keeping interactions low-key and soothing during visits can help relieve your pet’s stress:
- Sit nearby so they can approach you on their own terms.
- Keep petting gentle and avoid overly stimulating play.
- Brush or massage them if they enjoy this contact.
- Talk softly to them.
- Avoid suddenly reaching for or picking them up.
- Bring comfortable, familiar objects from home.
- Rub cat pheromones on bedding to help anxious cats.
- Play calming music if permitted.
Let your pet dictate the interaction. Provide a calm, comforting presence without overstimulation.
How can you find out your pet’s status when you can’t visit?
If you cannot visit your hospitalized pet, you can still stay updated on their condition in these ways:
- Call the vet for daily progress reports.
- Ask staff to send you regular photo or video updates.
- Inquire if you can schedule video calls with your pet.
- Request copies of all test results and medical charts.
- Designate a friend or relative as your emergency contact for updates.
- Tour the facility when selecting so you know where your pet will stay.
- Read all discharge instructions carefully when your pet is released.
Even at a distance, you can monitor your pet’s care plan, improvements and release timing through regular veterinary communication.
What precautions should the hospital take with your visit?
Responsible pet hospitals will safeguard your visit including:
- Masks, gloves and gowns provided if your pet is contagious.
- Hand sanitizer or washing sinks for infection control.
- Escorting you directly to your pet’s ward.
- Cleaning visited areas thoroughly afterwards.
- Quick entry/exit through designated doors.
- Staff supervision of the entire visit.
- Limiting visitors to 2 people per pet.
- Banning visits by anyone showing illness symptoms.
A reputable veterinary facility will have stringent protocols to protect your pet, other animals and people during the visit. Follow all precautions.
What are signs your pet may be too sick for a visit?
In very severe cases of illness or after major surgery, your pet may be too unstable for visitors. Watch for these troubling symptoms:
- Inability to stand or walk
- Little or no interest in food
- Labored, difficult breathing
- Little response to stimulation or touch
- Signs of pain like whining or aggression
- Attachments to multiple IV lines or machines
- Bandaged wounds, incisions or amputations
- Shaking, seizures or convulsions
- Bodily discharges requiring constant cleaning
With conditions this critical, visiting could hinder emergency care. Allow your pet peaceful rest and recovery before attempting a visit.
What can you do to prepare your home for discharge?
Once your pet is stable enough to leave the hospital, plan for a smooth homecoming:
- Stock up on any prescribed medications or foods.
- Remove tripping hazards and secure stairs or balconies.
- Set up confinement areas if needed for recuperation.
- Acquire an e-collar if required to prevent wound licking.
- Arrange help with care if your pet has mobility issues.
- Refresh food, water bowls and litter boxes.
- Disinfect living areas to prevent reinfection.
- Make a vet follow-up appointment for continuing care.
Follow all discharge instructions carefully to help your pet comfortably readjust to home and continue healing.
Conclusion
Visiting a sick, hospitalized pet is a personal decision that depends on many factors. While seeing your beloved companion can be reassuring, the risks of impeding treatment or heightening stress need consideration. Keep visits short and calm, avoid crowding medical staff, follow all protocols, and leave your pet in peace if too unstable. With some thoughtful precautions, a brief visit from you can remind your pet of your loving bond and potentially aid their recovery. But in severe cases, non-visitation and communication with the vet may be safest for your pet’s health. Prioritize their medical needs above your understandable desire for contact and comfort. With the vet’s guidance and proper care from hospital staff, your cherished pet will hopefully return home to you when well enough.