Other manufacturers offer free videos too. Watch the videos for the meters that you are interested in to learn more about their features and procedures before you buy. Watch again as you prepare to test yourself and your pet for the first time. Before you Buy a Meter Figure out where you have good lighting, or set up a lamp that you will use. Take your pet to where you plan to test and give positive attention with the light on to get him or her used to being in that place and position, to relax and feel comfortable with it.
Some pets like to be brushed, others just like to be petted or hugged, avoid active or rough play.
Gently massage the ears whenever you are interacting, especially if this is new to your cat. For a dog, massage lip area. One vet suggested actually pricking the cat's ear with a lancet before buying the meter, to see if it would tolerate pricks. It's up to you. I was nervous enough about doing an ear prick, I wanted it to be for a BG value when I did it.