If you love spending time with animals, you might be considering pursuing a veterinary career path as your next step. You might also be interested in becoming a vet owing to your interest in the medical world. Veterinarians are involved in providing critical care for pets and other animals. The job also includes interacting with pet owners and reassuring them about the health of their pets.

Love and care for animals as well as scientific curiosity are undoubtedly crucial for becoming a good vet. However, these traits alone can’t ensure you will succeed in the profession. Becoming a vet requires many other veterinarian personality traits like patience and perseverance to establish a successful practice. Read ahead to learn the most essential qualities needed to be a vet.

1. Physical Traits

Vets need good health and stamina both for the long professional training and the demands of the job. Most aspiring vets complete a bachelor's degree before entering veterinary school, and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program takes another four years of schooling. Vets need courage when dealing with animals that bite, kick and scratch. They need the stamina to work long hours or at night when animals get sick. If they work with large animals, they need physical strength.

2. Relationships to Animals and People

Veterinarians exhibit compassion and kindness to suffering animals and the owners who love them. They need a good relationship with both animals and their owners. Good communication skills are essential for explaining difficult options, such as euthanasia. Vets need to be good observers to find signs of illness in animals unable to say what is wrong.

3. Compassion

A veterinarian will routinely meet with animal breeders, farmers and pet owners who are worried, stressed or distraught over their animal’s condition. The veterinarian will need to be sensitive when dealing with the emotions of the owner, especially in cases where the animal is severely ill or injured and when euthanasia is necessary. Veterinarians should also treat animals with respect, regardless of whether the animal is someone’s pet, livestock or a wild animal rescued by a concerned individual.

4. Dexterity

Veterinarians should have plenty of manual dexterity. They may need to hold animals that are uncooperative, frightened or angry. When treating an injured animal or making a physical assessment of an animal’s condition, they need to be careful in how they move their hands. When performing a surgical treatment, the veterinarian must be precise in their movements and aware of where their hands and fingers are during the procedure.

5. Decision Maker

When an animal is severely injured or seriously ill, a veterinarian has to make a fast decision that is based on objective information. Even in routine injuries and illnesses, they have to make the right decision on how to treat the animal. In some cases, an animal owner may argue with the veterinarian about the treatment plan or recommended course of action. The veterinarian should be able to use evidence-based medicine to defend their recommendation and decision.

6. Enthusiasm and positivity

The veterinary profession can be stressful at moments. That is why you must keep your passion and enthusiasm intact to counteract any challenges you may face in the role. Exhibiting an upbeat and positive attitude can also help you to stay professional and care for animals experiencing a lot of pain.