- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If you’re bringing home a pet for the first time or moving to a new city, you might be starting your search for a quality vet who can help your beloved companions feel their best.
Many big cities have plenty of veterinarians and clinics to choose from, but so many options can make it hard to tell which provider is right for your pet.
When it comes to finding the right vet, you’ll want one who provides good medical care, of course—but the best vets will work hard to build a relationship with you and your pets, according to Dr. Jennifer Sperry, veterinary advisor at Pets Plus Us.
Read on to learn all about how to find a good vet, with search tips and red and green flags from experts.
Where To Find a Good Vet Clinic
When starting your search for a new vet, search engines like Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo can give you a starting point.
Just keep in mind that online reviews don’t always tell the full story. Some reviews reflect the emotion of a difficult moment, not necessarily the quality of care, Dr. Sperry says. That’s especially true for vets with emergency centers.
Word of mouth is also a great option, says Dr. Paige Adams, a veterinarian with Etowah Pet Hospital in Marietta, Georgia.
Your family, friends, and neighbors may have firsthand experience with local vets who provide quality care and treat pets well.
In addition to search engines and asking your inner circle, you can also expand your search using:
- Social media: Local Facebook groups may have recommendation directories. Your neighbors on Nextdoor may also have valuable insight.
- Other pet professionals: Your pet’s breeder or trainer may know a few good vets to try.
- Vet directories: Professional organizations like the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) offer directories of vets who meet their standards.
- Your current vet: If you’re planning to move to another city in the same state or a neighboring state, your current vet may know a good clinic in your new area. “Veterinarians often know each other or have opinions about local hospitals,” Dr. Sperry says.
Qualifications for a Good Vet
It goes without saying that a veterinarian needs a diploma and a license to practice. But good care goes beyond these essential credentials. It also extends to the way the clinic operates.
The best vets are the ones who make you and your pet feel heard, seen, and safe, Dr. Sperry says. “A good vet earns your trust not only by what they say, but how they say it, especially when conversations are hard.”
Must-have criteria
Beyond clicking with your vet’s communication style, Dr. Sperry and Dr. Adams say that a good vet will also have:
- Clean facilities: When you walk in the door, the clinic should look and smell clean. “Your vet’s clinic doesn’t need to be fancy or high-tech, but it should feel clean,” Dr. Sperry emphasizes.
- Clear communication: The vet’s office should return your calls or emails promptly and answer all your questions with patience and kindness.
- Good staff ratio: The staff should have enough clinicians and vet techs to handle every pet with minimal wait times and without rushing.
- Organized record-keeping: The facility should keep detailed, easily accessible records of every pet that visits. Bonus points if they keep digital or online records for easy access.
- Genuine love for animals: Your vet and the staff members should care about all their patients and treat both pets and pet parents with friendliness and empathy.
Nice-to-have criteria
If you’ve already found a few clinics that check all the essential boxes, the following bonuses can help you narrow down your options:
- Separate waiting areas: “Separate dog and cat spaces can help reduce stress and scary smells, sounds, and sights in the clinic,” Dr. Adams says.
- Fear Free certifications: Fear Free is an organization that offers training for veterinarians and other pet professionals to prevent fear and stress in pets. Vets with Fear Free Certified staff can help your pet feel more relaxed during their visits.
- House call options: If your pet is too sick or stressed to travel, a vet with mobile options can make house calls.
- Emergency room: Vet clinics with attached to 24/7 ERs mean you won’t need to travel far if your pet needs emergency help.
- Modern diagnostics: Many clinics outsource lab work or offer referrals for diagnostic tests. But clinics with in-house labs and diagnostics, like X-rays and ultrasounds, can help your pet get care faster, Dr. Adams explains.
- In-clinic surgeon: Clinics that already have specialists or surgeons on staff mean you won’t need to travel for a referral.
- Extended hours: Vets with evening or weekend hours can make it much easier to schedule appointments if you work during the day.
How To Choose the Right Clinic for You
A vet clinic can have all the fancy tech and qualifications in the world—but if you don’t personally click with the vets and the staff, it can still feel off.
“What matters most is that the clinic suits your pet’s needs and your lifestyle,” Dr. Sperry says.
These questions can help you make sure the clinic is a good fit for you and your pet:
- Can you get an appointment for your pet without a long waitlist? How long do patients generally have to wait when scheduling non-emergency visits?
- Do the clinic’s operating hours align with your schedule? Will you have to take time off work to bring your pet in?
- What payment types does the clinic accept? Will they work with your pet insurance company?
- Can they adjust your pet’s treatment plan if you can’t afford the treatment plan they recommend?
- If your pet has a health condition, like diabetes or allergies, does the vet have experience treating other pets with the same health concerns?
When Should You Find a New Vet?
“Changing veterinarians isn’t a decision to make lightly, but it’s absolutely OK if your needs change or your comfort level with the vet changes,” Dr. Sperry says.
It may be time to search for another vet if you notice any of these red flags:
- Management or ownership of the clinic has changed
- You don’t agree with the vet’s medical decisions, or they dismiss your concerns
- Miscommunication or lost records
- Dirty or disorganized facilities
- Overwhelmed staff and long wait times
- Rushed visits and a lack of personalized attention
You may have other reasons for changing vet clinics, too. For example, your pet may develop a chronic illness that needs more intensive care, or you might move across town, Dr. Sperry explains.
At the end of the day, your relationship with your vet is a professional one, and it’s totally fine to move on when your needs change.
Takeaway
“Choosing a veterinarian is deeply personal,” Dr. Sperry says.
The best vets will do everything they can to help you and your pet feel safe and comfortable. They should treat you like an equal partner in making decisions for your pet and be an empathetic presence throughout your pet’s life.
So, don’t be afraid to call or visit multiple clinics until you’re sure you’re making the right choice.
