How to Choose a Vet

Choosing the right vet for your fur baby is something that you should carefully consider. This is the person that could potentially save your pet’s life and keep them healthy. Both you and your pet should feel comfortable about this person before you make a long-term commitment to work with them.

Your vet should not only be able to take care of all the routine healthcare involved in looking after your pet but should also be able to foresee potential health problems and medical conditions and assist with preventative care.

It makes sense that you take the time to research the vets in your area to find the one that best works for you and your needs.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a vet.

Ask for personal recommendations

One of the best ways to find the right veterinarian is to ask your friends and family members for recommendations. Other families with pets in your area may know some good veterinarians to check out, so that should be the first place you look for advice.

Find a vet with experience with your type of pet

Vets are not all created equal. There are different types of vets that specialize in working with different types of animals, and some of them may have more experience treating cats, rabbits, or other types of non-canine animals. You will want to work with a vet who has an expertise in treating your type of pet specifically, so ask about how much experience they have before you get started.

You also need to think about the care that your pet will need. Do they need just routine care, or do they have a specialist condition that will require a different level of care?

Establish the vet’s accreditation

Before you consider any vet practice, check that they’re accredited by the Accreditation Program for Australian Veterinarians (APAV). You may also want to check out the qualifications held by the vet, and the vet assistants and nurses. Also ask questions about staff turnover a good working environment will mean staff stay longer and that is a positive for you both you and your fur baby.

Inquire about their approach to pets and medicine

A veterinarian is not just there to administer medication, but to provide care for the entire being. Vets tend to have different approaches when it comes to pets and medication. Have a brief discussion with your potential vet and see what they think about wellness and prevention practices. If they are not on the same page with you, then you should keep looking.

Consider the cost and location

If an emergency occurs, you will need to be able to get to the vet’s office quickly. Try to find one that is less than an hour away from you at the most.

Costs can also vary depending on the vet, so see if their prices are affordable for you.  No doubt that caring for your pet can sometimes be a costly business. Does the vet have fixed costs for set procedures, or do they give full quotes before going ahead with treatment? These are all questions to ask when scoping out a new veterinarian practice.

Even if they claim to be the best vet in Australia, it won’t be of much use to you if you can’t access them easily. That’s why it makes sense to choose a vet that is within a reasonable distance of your home, so that you can get there quickly in an emergency – parking can also be a consideration.

Look for a clean facility

Have a look around the facility and notice the level of cleanliness. If the place seems a little dingy or dirty, then that is also a sign to move on. Since it is a medical facility, it should be just as clean as a hospital for humans.

How attentive are the staff to you and your pet

The level of attention a vet gives to both you and your pet is a crucial factor for finding a great vet. If they are not attentive enough, it’s possible that they may miss vital clues of potentially more serious conditions. Take notice of how the vet and the practice staff interact with animals. Do they show a genuine love and concern for animals? How much time are they prepared to spend with your pet assessing any issues.  You’ll be able to judge this from their body language and the way they treat the animals that come into their surgery.

While it’s important to ensure that your pet is getting the right level of attention from the vet, you also need to feel that they’re able to communicate easily with you. A good relationship with your vet relies on communication, shared values, and the feeling that you can ask questions when you don’t quite understand what is going on. You need to feel that your vet will listen to your concerns and give you confidence in the way they diagnose and treat your pet.

What kind of services are available

A good practice will give you access to services such as x-rays, blood pressure monitoring, ultrasound, in-house lab tests, and even dentistry. You may want to check out what kind of equipment is available within the practice and who is qualified to use it. Also find out it if they have a method of monitoring overnight patients, this will give you peace of mind if your pet needs to be admitted to the surgery.

What are the opening hours

Knowing the opening hours is vital if you’re a working pet owner. If you’re not able to get to the surgery during normal working hours, does your surgery offer late night and weekend openings?

If your preferred vet clinic is not open after hours, ask what they can offer in case of an emergency. Some suburban clinics work together to offer after-hours care on rotation, or there might be a nearby emergency vet hospital operating 24/7.

Use your gut feelings

Listen to your intuition, you’ll soon know whether the practice you are considering is the right place for you and your pet. Finding a vet that you feel you can trust and have confidence in is vital for any successful relationship, and for the welfare of your pet.

Before making your choice, shop around. Call clinics in your neighbourhood, ask the questions you want answered. If and the staff are friendly, it’s likely your pet will be cared for.

Most importantly, make sure your pet is happy with the vet you choose, so you can all enjoy calm, stress-free visits.

** Any advice provided on this website is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice we give you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on our advice or purchasing any product.