03 Jun 2025
Positive emotions during recovery
How emotions, aftercare, and MPS products contribute to the optimal recovery of your patients.
Emotions during the recovery process
As a veterinarian, you know how important the well-being of your patients is, especially during their recovery period. In recent years, much research has been done on emotions in animals, for example by neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp. Animals and humans appear to experience similar basic emotions. Minimizing negative emotions and fostering positive emotions can make a significant difference in the recovery process of your patients. In this blog, you can discover tips to contribute to the physical and emotional recovery of pets.
Which negative emotions might pets experience during recovery?
Recovery can be a challenging period for pets. Beyond the physical discomfort they may experience from surgery or illness, this phase can also take a toll on their emotional wellbeing. Pets might suffer from various negative emotions, such as:
Rage
Your patient may become frustrated due to limitations in daily activities such as moving, eating, or drinking, for example when wearing a cone. A cone can obstruct vision, amplify sounds, and cause animals to repeatedly bump into objects. This not only increases stress but can also hinder overall recovery quality.
Fear
When an animal experiences fear, it may respond with a fight, flight or freeze response. These behaviors aim to protect the animal from (potential) dangers like pain, loud noises, and unexpected events. When pets need to wear a cone during recovery, amplified sounds and restricted vision can exacerbate fear. Some animals quickly wriggle out of a cone out of anxiety or discomfort, leaving the surgical site unprotected.
Panic/grief
Separation anxiety or being removed from a familiar environment—such as during a veterinary visit—can trigger panic or grief in pets. Common signs include whining, yelping, crying, and seeking comfort. Supporting pets during such challenging times is crucial, and fear-free programs can play a vital role.
Positive emotions and their role in recovery
Encouraging positive emotions not only supports the animal’s mental well-being, it can also contribute to a faster recovery. Basic positive emotions:
Play
Playing with other pets or people can bring joy. During recovery or when dealing with skin conditions, animals may still want to play. With the MPS products, they can do so safely, ensuring the affected area, surroundings, and other animals are protected.
Seeking
Even during recovery, animals remain curious to explore their environment. The cone of shame hinders this natural behavior, which can lead to frustration or behavioral issues. With MPS products, animals maintain the freedom to sniff and explore, while the wound site stays protected.
Care
Physical closeness and affection increase oxytocin levels, which positively impact an animal’s well-being. With MPS products, owners can provide affection without worry, ensuring the affected area remains protected.
Choose compassion and innovation
Cone of shame
- Prevents pets from moving, eating and cuddling free.
- Doesn’t provide direct (wound) protection.
- Causes stress, anxiety & discomfort.
- Distorts hearing & vision, making pets feel lost
MPS Protective pet wear
- Freedom to move, eat and rest - Stress free!
- Soft, snug & breathable fabric. Comfortable all day long.
- Protects wounds & sensitive skin directly.
- Designed with veterinarians, loved by pets & pet parents.
Working together for a stress-free recovery
As a veterinarian, you can help by offering your patients an animal-friendly alternative to the cone with MPS pet recovery wear. This not only results in satisfied owners but also supports your practice in providing optimal care.
Do you have questions, or do you want to learn more about the MPS pet recovery wear? Contact us to discover how MPS products redefine the standard for pet recovery.
