
A vet appointment strikes terror into the bravest pets' hearts.

So pity these misty-eyed dogs and cats, who raised a smile with their attempts to hide or guilt-trip their way out of that dreaded trip.

One huge dog was in a full-blown hug with its owner by the reception desk while another buried its face in a towel.

The images raised amused comparisons to humankind's fear of the dentist's drill when they were collated on the image-sharing website Pulptastic.

Who knows if they're as scared as they look? They've done a good job at making us feel sorry for them all the same - but it's still not quite enough to escape the surgery.

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Anything but that! These images sparked hilarity online after pet owners snapped their terrified animals preparing for visits to the vet

A dog's life: Some were in full-on hugs with their owners by the reception desk, but their puppy eyes wouldn't get them out of trouble

Get miaow-t! This cat just couldn't face another minute (or might have just been looking for a bit of food under the shelf)

Dognapped: This pet's owner must have wondered where the car was heading. Internet users pointed out similarities to the dentist

Perfect hiding place: 'No one will find me here, it's too dark', this dog must have thought with glee. How very wrong he was

Not standing tall: One pet tries to blend in under the orange colours of a fluffy giraffe, while another chooses the direct approach

Why are you doing this to me? That self-pitying look is almost enough to make you never want to take your pets to the vet again

Ball of fluff: Some pets in the waiting room were totally concealed beneath their owners. The vet's bark is probably worse than its bite

Don't do this to me! Every pet owner knows that pitiful plea - but should they listen to their canine friends or take a hard line instead?

Tight squeeze: One pet saves face inside an item of furniture. Were they all scared of the vet, or thinking of another unknown menace?

On the operating table: One dog gives a pleading look at the camera in this photo, one of dozens shared by owners on the internet

Part of the furniture: This cat attempted to squeeze between a tap, a jar of cotton balls and surgical alcohol... and nearly got away with it