Playing music and providing separate waiting rooms could reduce stress in millions of dogs and cats undergoing visits to vets, according to the latest guidance from Hartpury University.

Animal Science experts from the University have examined the methods used by veterinary practices around the UK aimed at tackling the anxiety felt by pets facing medical treatment.

The new study at Hartpury, carried out by BSc (Hons) Animal Science graduate Taylor Williams, Animal Science lecturer Aisling Carroll and Animal Behaviour and Welfare lecturer Dr Tamara Montrose, surveyed 45 veterinary practices in the UK.

Aisling Carroll said: "A veterinary practice can be a stressful environment for pets and the stress that they experience can impact on their health, welfare and the likelihood of owners regularly visiting the practice.

"According to the latest report by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, there are around 9 million dogs and more than 11 million cats kept as pets in the UK, so we're talking about a significant number of animals.

"A range of methods are used by veterinary practices within the UK to attempt to reduce stress in animals during veterinary visits."

The team at Hartpury are offering the new guidance after surveying veterinary centres and reviewing comprehensive research from around the world relating to the positive and negative impacts of different approaches used by veterinary centres on animals.

Dr Tamara Montrose said: "The majority of practices surveyed fed treats to animals during veterinary visits, offered rehearsal visits to animals and their owners, used appeasing pheromones in the practice and stated that they used correct handling techniques for different species during consultations.

"Most of the practices acknowledged that separate waiting rooms, rehearsal visits, treat feeding, appeasing pheromones, sensory enrichment and correct handling can reduce stress in animals during veterinary visits.

"However, the majority of practices surveyed did not have more than one waiting room or use an auditory device to try and reduce stress in animals during veterinary visits.

"Greater consideration of methods to facilitate separation of species where distinct waiting rooms are not feasible, for example through implementing appointments for cats and dogs on different days and times, would be beneficial.

"In addition, veterinary staff should consider utilising classical or specially designed species-specific music in the veterinary practice as this may help mitigate the stress of cats and dogs visiting the practice."