Skip to main content

How to find the right veterinarian for your pet

Making veterinary appointments during the pandemic has been stressful for many pet owners. Having to part with dogs in the parking lot and watch as they walked nervously through the hospital doors filled pet parents with anxiety, too. It helped if the pets were being treated by a specialist whom they knew and liked. This experience has taught pet owners just how important it is to find the right veterinarian for their beloved companions.

Referrals can help you find a good veterinarian

When choosing a veterinarian, talk to family, neighbors, and friends to see who they use and if they would recommend them for your pet. Ask how long they have been using the vet and what they like about him or her. You can also talk to breeders or breed club members who probably know veterinarians knowledgeable about your breed and the types of problems they experience. Groomers, managers at local animal shelters, members of local animal rescue groups, and local dog trainers can also help when it comes to recommending veterinary professionals. Once you have a list of names, you can visit the animal hospital website and read client reviews.

If you don’t find what you are looking for through referrals, you can turn to your state’s veterinary society for a list of reputable professionals, many broken down by specialty. For example, the New York State Veterinary Medical Society (NYSVMS) offers search functions that include such categories as emergency hospitals, avian/exotic/reptile, and equine, and it even has a category for practices that cater to low-income clients or offer reduced fees. According to the NYSVMS, all veterinarians listed on the site are actively involved in the profession through membership in the society. All members are required to take continuing education programs and join regional groups where they discuss the latest techniques with colleagues.

Friendly veterinarian examining dog.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Questions to ask the veterinarian

It’s important to make sure your veterinarian’s treatment philosophies match your own. You may want to meet and speak with a few professionals before deciding on a match. Here are some questions to ask before making a final decision:

  • How long have you been in practice, and are you a member of a professional veterinary association such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the state or local veterinary association?
  • Are you open to prescribing holistic or alternative medicine when appropriate?
  • Do you encourage preventive care and offer advice and information to pet owners?
  • Are you available by phone for pet owners who have questions, and are you willing to take the time to explain difficult medical terms when needed?
  • If you have children, you might want to ask if they can come to appointments. This is a great way to teach your children about responsible pet care. Many vets welcome children into the examining room and enjoy answering their questions.

What to consider when choosing an animal hospital

In addition to the qualifications and treatment philosophy of an individual veterinarian, you’ll want to consider the credentials of the facility where he or she practices. For instance, is the hospital accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)? Unlike human hospitals, animal hospitals are not required to be accredited. According to an article published on the ConsumerAdvocate.org website, a lack of accreditation doesn’t mean that a veterinary practice provides subpar health care. However, it does mean that the practice hasn’t been measured against the AAHA’s approximately 900 standards to achieve accreditation. To maintain accredited status, hospitals undergo comprehensive on-site evaluations every three years.

Before choosing an animal hospital, American Kennel Club experts recommend taking a tour without your pet. Your goal is to:

  • Observe whether the office is clean and well organized.
  • Ask about the services they provide, the hours of operation, and provisions made for emergencies. Confirm whether they offer in-house digital X-rays, dental X-rays, pet dental care, ultrasounds, and radiology, as well as veterinary surgical services. Find out what arrangements are available for specialty referrals.
  • Discuss fees and payment plans. If your pet is insured, confirm that the facility will accept that insurance plan.
  • Ask about the average wait time for making a non-emergency appointment.
  • Make sure that you can request an appointment with the veterinarian you plan to use.
Veterinarian examining cat while little boy watches.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Once you’ve chosen a veterinarian, the next step is to make an appointment to visit with your pet. This is where you’ll get to observe his or her bedside manner. Is the visit rushed, or is the veterinarian willing to take the time to comfort your pet before beginning the examination or giving shots?

Experts at the AAHA say that when choosing a veterinarian, you should use the same care and criteria you would when selecting a physician or dentist. Your goal should first and foremost be to find a veterinarian who you feel can best meet your pet’s medical needs. In addition, though, you want to have a comfort level with this professional and know that you can reach out whenever you have a question or concern about your pet’s health.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Vera Lawlor
Contributor
Vera was the pet columnist for 201 Family magazine and has contributed pet and animal welfare articles to Bone-A-Fide Mutts…
Why is my cat peeing on my bed? The real truth (and how to stop this gross habit)
Causes and solutions for when your cat pees where you sleep
Striped cat sitting on a bed in the bedroom

No one likes to ask, "Why is my cat peeing on my bed?" but here we are. It can be so frustrating! Noticing that your cat peed on your fresh-out-of-the-washing-machine sheets is one of the most irritating things that can happen. There are a lot of different reasons besides your cat just being a jerk that explain why she would do such a thing. Understanding the "why" will help you figure out what is really going on inside of your furry feline’s head, so you can then determine how to stop this unwanted behavior.

While many believe the primary reason cats pee on the bed is because they're just being sassy, this is usually not the case. Read on to learn why your cat has picked up this undesirable habit and what you can do to put an end to it.

Read more
Is incense bad for cats? 4 important things to consider before using it in your home
Considerations, safety tips, and healthier alternatives for burning incense around cats
Burning incense and tabby cat

Pet accidents, dirty laundry, stagnant air, and garbage are all common causes of an unpleasant smell. And if you’re a cat parent, managing the kitty litter box can be a smelly proposition in itself. So what’s a self-respecting homeowner to do?

Burning incense is among the various methods you can use to make your home smell nice, but is incense bad for cats? It's important to learn whether the benefits of having a pleasant-smelling home outweigh the potential health risks that burning incense poses for your cat. If you love the smell of incense but worry that it’s not good for your feline friend, this is everything you should consider.

Read more
How much should a kitten weigh? Here’s what the experts have to say about the kitten weight chart
Does my kitten weigh enough? Experts reveal the optimal weight
Three tabby kittens snuggling in a gray cat bed.

Being responsible for a newborn kitten is a daunting task, but it's also an exciting and rewarding experience. Kittens go through some of their most impressive growth spurts during the first 12 weeks of life. But is your kitten hitting all the right milestones? Just like with human babies, there's a kitten weight chart they should reach at certain points in their growth process. Steady weight gain, opening their eyes at the right time, and increased socialization with littermates are all indications that your kitten is on the right track.

But how much should a kitten weigh at each stage of development? We've consulted the experts to find out the optimal weight goals for your kitten. We're here to share everything you need to know about the ideal kitten weight by age, what you should know about caring for kittens every step of the "weight," and when you should contact your vet for assistance.

Read more