How to find the right Vet for your Pet

If you have a cat or a dog , you’re probably going to make a trip to the vet at some stage. It might be a routine trip for your cat’s vaccinations, or perhaps your puppy has eaten something he shouldn’t have. Not all vet clinics offer the same services, so it’s important to find one that will suit you and your pet.

What factors should you consider when choosing a vet?

While your goal might be to find a vet who is capable and compassionate, there are other aspects to consider. These include:

• • Location: Look for a practice that’s close to home. This can be handy when you need to make regular visits, when there’s an emergency, and for those times when your pet needs an extended stay.

• • Staff: Observe how the staff interact with each other and the animals in their care. Do they appear knowledgeable and caring? Are there enough vets to cope with a busy period? If your pet stays overnight, will it be supervised?

• • Facilities and equipment: Modern clinics should be well equipped to provide clinical, anesthetic and diagnostic care. Check whether operations can be performed on-site.

• • Areas of specialty: Most general vet clinics will treat cats and dogs.

• • Qualifications: Vet clinics should usually display the practitioners’ accreditation and qualifications. But if you want to know more, ask about the vet nurses’ certifications and if they run any ongoing training. If your pet needs specialist treatment, look for a vet who’s registered with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council, as its membership requires longer study and expertise in a specific area.

• • Fees: There are no standard fees for veterinary services or medications, so enquire prior to treatment about costs for routine check-ups or specific treatments that you are advised that your pet will need. Ask for a full quote before going ahead with treatment. However, consider your choice on more than price alone – a clinic might be more expensive because it provides access to better equipment, more staff and a wider range of services.

• • Personal recommendations: Don’t underestimate the value of talking to your friends, family and other pet owners about their experiences with vets. Trainers, pet sitters and groomers might also have recommendations.

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.

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.

Pet insurance can help to cover your vet bills. Review pet insurance policies on iSelect today.

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.