Does your cat or dog get anxious in new places? Is he prone to carsickness? Consider booking an appointment with a mobile vet!

You’ve seen them; they’re veterinary clinics on wheels. Mobile vets offer all the services of a stand-alone clinic, including medical, surgical, holistic, and even spiritual care. But instead of Fido going to them, they come to Fido. Right to his front door.

Here are five good reasons you should consider a mobile vet:

1. Convenience

You won’t have to deal with the hassle of putting your animal companion in the car or fighting rush hour traffic. This is an advantage for cats and dogs who tend to get car sick. It’s also super convenient for baby boomers, retirees, and working professionals who love their pets, but are short on time.

“It’s also a great service for seniors or anyone struggling with their own health issues,” says veterinarian Rebecca Saria, owner of Gold Coast Mobile Vet. “Some pet owners can’t make the trip to the office, but they still want to take good care of their pets.”

2. Reduced exposure to infectious disease

Even with good infection control practices, veterinary waiting rooms can be hothouses for transmittable diseases. Dogs, especially, are naturally friendly and curious, but touching noses in the waiting room is a bad idea. Mobile vets reduce the risk of exposure to infection from other dogs and cats. Home visits are also easier and safer for pets with terminal illnesses or conditions that require ongoing treatment.

3. Less stress could lead to a more accurate diagnosis

Dogs suffer from ‘white coat syndrome’ just like the humans that love them. When stressed, your dog’s heart rate increases, his breathing quickens, muscles tense, and his blood pressure rises. “I find dogs and, especially cats, are much calmer and more themselves in the comfort of their own home,” says Saria. “Stress can even make liver enzymes skyrocket, skewing the results of lab tests.”

4. The home environment may reveal clues about your pet’s illness

Observing your dog or cat on his home turf can help your vet make a more accurate diagnosis. “I often notice things in the dog’s environment that turn out to be the cause of his health or behavior problems,” says Saria. A dog’s sudden skin allergy, for instance, might be related to a newly installed rug. “These are things owners don’t think to mention when they bring their dog to the clinic.”

5. Fear-reactive dogs are easier to manage at home

Veterinarian waiting rooms and offices can trigger an explosion in fear-reactive dogs. An examination in the comfort of his own home removes most of those triggers. “I’ve found that by the second or third visit, even fear-reactive dogs consider me a harmless and friendly visitor,” says Saria.

If you’re ready to give up the hassle of dragging your pet to the clinic, suffering through doggy car sickness, and the noise and risk of infection in the vet’s waiting room, consider switching to a mobile vet!