Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

5 reasons to switch to a mobile vet clinic (plus 1 important reason not to)

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

You may have seen them on the road: an ambulance or trailer-like vehicle advertising veterinary services as if they occur right there in that truck. Seems too good to be true, right? No way! Mobile vet clinics are becoming more and more popular for busy pet parents who still need to keep their fur babies healthy, and, luckily, they’re in no short supply.

A quick search online or on social media will help you find some of the most successful mobile vet clinics near you, as well as the ones that are most recommended. We always recommend browsing before making your final choice, but since mobile vets are becoming so popular, you may have to wait a while to get in. Until then, here’s what you need to know.

Recommended Videos

What is a mobile vet clinic?

Think of a mobile veterinary clinic like a doctor doing house calls — except for your pet! These professionally licensed veterinarians and assistants will be able to meet and treat your fur baby right from home, though they may need to bring them to their vehicle for certain treatments.

Most mobile vet clinics rely on an ambulance-like van or larger trailer to support many of their electronic tools and machines. In fact, many mobile vets, like Dr. Lisa Aumiller, even use retired ambulances (via PetMD)! You should be able to see the inside before sending your pup in when you’re unable to stay — sometimes for safety reasons — so don’t be afraid to ask. After all, you’ll want to know that your buddy is safe and sound while they’re being seen!

A Husky lies on a table while a vet examines them
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How are mobile vet clinics better than traditional clinics?

Don’t be fooled — “mobile” does not mean limited. There are several reasons why more and more pet parents are choosing mobile vet clinics, and these are the most popular.

Mobile vet clinics can provide almost all the same services

Despite being confined to the space within a vehicle, a mobile veterinarian can provide almost all of the same services as an in-office vet. They’re equipped with the appropriate tools for routine exams, injuries and illnesses, and even minor surgeries. According to PetMD, some mobile vets can even consult you on specialty topics like behavior and nutrition.

You don’t have to leave your home

Convenience is key when it comes to mobile veterinary services, so you can get on with your life while your buddy gets a look-over from their doctor. You won’t have to set aside extra time for the drive or the wait, which means zero time wasted!

For pet owners with mobility concerns, the mobile vet can make an even bigger difference. It allows them to give their four-legged friends the care they need to thrive without worrying about accessibility. If this is one step toward accepting, all-inclusive pet health care, we’re here for it.

No stressful encounters for your pet

Dr. Thea Fiore-Bloom, journalist and cat owner, recalls her relief when she first discovered mobile veterinary clinics. She told Catster she no longer had to “coax [her] car-phobic cat into a carrier and drag us all disappointed (and possibly vomiting) through terrible traffic to the veterinarian.” Instead, she simply waited at home with the rest of her family until the vet and her assistant were examining her cat in her living room.

Not only was this easy for Fiore-Bloom, but it was painless for her cat, too. The feline, who spent the first part of the visit underneath the sofa, eventually felt comfortable enough to emerge for an exam. Had he been forced into a carrier and brought to a loud, busy vet’s office, he may not have been so easygoing.

Flexible hours

You’ll want to double-check the hours and availability of your chosen mobile clinic to see when they can stop by. Many mobile veterinary organizations offer extended hours — or even weekend hours — to accommodate pet parents with busy lives. Now you won’t have to drop everything and find time off whenever your buddy feels under the weather.

More time with the doctor

When no other animals are present, you’ll have your veterinarian’s full attention. They’ll be able to take their time to examine your pet thoroughly, so you know you’re getting the best. It’s the perfect time to ask questions and raise any remaining concerns, too, so don’t hesitate.

A veterinarian looks into the mouth of a small dog who sits on a table
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When should I not use a mobile vet clinic?

Though mobile vet clinics have nearly all of the necessary equipment to keep a dog, cat, or pocket pet alive, these small locations are not the places to go in an emergency. They may not have the right tools to sustain them for an extended time, although some may be able to act as an ambulance for your pet while you find your way to the vet.

Of course, these kinds of emergencies are few and far between. For the most part, a mobile veterinary clinic will have all the right tools, inventory, and stock to care for non-life-threatening situations, helping to make caring for your furry family member just a little bit easier on both of you.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
A simple guide to what to feed tadpoles in your aquarium
A list of everything you should and shouldn't give baby frogs
Small child looks into a jar of tadpoles

Whether you’re taking in rescue tadpoles or planning to keep frogs as pets, you’ll have to adapt continually to their changing bodies. These amphibians undergo a metamorphosis and live as tadpoles for up to 14 weeks, though the last stage of the transition happens in just 24 hours.

You’ll put them to bed as a kid and come back to a teenager. Also, tadpoles are vegetarians, but frogs are carnivorous, so you should prepare for their diet to evolve as they do over the course of a few months. Here's what to feed tadpoles.

Read more
Where to put a dog crate in your house depends on these important factors
Know exactly where to place a dog crate to keep your pet safe, secure, and happy at home
Dog looking through black dog crate

Dogs like to sleep in so many places: in your bed, in their own bed, on a sunny spot on the floor, and in their dog crate, to name a few. But that's not the only thing a crate is helpful for. It can keep your canine friend out of mischief and give you peace of mind when you're out of the house. A dog crate should ideally be a place of security and comfort for your pup (and it can be even better if you personalize it for their own unique needs). Of course, this raises the question of where to put a dog crate.

Have you been Googling something like, "Where to put dog crate?" We've got you covered! Always remember that a dog crate is supposed to create a safe space for your pet, while also assisting in their training, so the way you utilize that space in your home is essential for both of you.

Read more
What you need to know about dogs with blue eyes
Here are the facts behind blue eyes in dogs, a rarity that comes with some health risks
Upside down brown dog

Blue-eyed dogs are striking, mostly because they are such an unusual sight. After all, even though all puppies are born with blue eyes, 95% of them will change color within the first eight to 10 weeks of life. And while there’s almost nothing sweeter than staring into the brown eyes of an adoring pet, those dog breeds with blue eyes are, well, a sight to behold.

If you’re lucky enough to own a dog with blue eyes, congratulations. If, like the rest of us, you’re just curious about what causes that beautiful abnormality, read on. We’ll share which dog breeds naturally have blue eyes, why that occurs, and if blue-eyed dogs are at risk for health problems as a result.

Read more