At Qatar Veterinary Center we understand that getting your pet into the clinic can be a stressful event. There are some really important tips to keep both the animals and the clients safe while here at the hospital. All dogs must be on a leash or in a carrier. The leash must be of normal length ( 2 meters) in order to maintain good and easy control. Retractable leashes are not a great choice for Vet visits and can cause injury to both the pet and the owner while providing very little control. Although your dog may be very friendly and listen perfectly when off leash, there may be other dogs here in the waiting room, who do not. All cat patients must be in a carrier. Cats who are carried in loose in the owners arms may suddenly become afraid or upset and can easily run away from the owner at a moments notice. This can also happen in the parking lot. It is important to keep your cat in the carrier with the door closed until you reach the exam room. The carrier should have a towel or pee pad in the bottom and may have something familiar to the pet like a toy or bed. It is not necessary to provide litter inside the cage, as this often becomes messy. Most pets do not require food or water for their short trip to the Vet, this often gets spilled and causes the pet to get wet. Birds should be in a travel cage, this is generally smaller than the cage that they may live in at home and does not contain toys and other obstacles, making it easier for the Veterinarian to capture and handle the bird safely. Small exotics such as rabbits and hamsters should also be in a smaller travel cage. Following these tips can help to make your visit to QVC a safe and positive one.