The right vet is out there!
Whether you’re a new dog owner or are in the market for a new vet, the search for the right vet is not always easy. I myself have been to a few different vets with Isla before finding one we’re happy with. Throughout my experiences, I have made note of important factors when choosing the right vet for your dog. To help you in your search, here are some factors to consider.
Pricing
Everyone has some sort of budget for pet care, whether small or large. For the most part, the further from the city centre you are, the less expensive vet costs will be. But, if you’re a city dweller like me, then you may want to get a few quotes from vets before making an appointment.
On average, an exam fee shouldn’t cost more than $60 in Toronto. If your basic exam fee is higher, then you’re likely paying the higher cost for convenience of location. I like to ask about the exam fee because that will usually set the standard for all other costs.
Good reviews
Reviews are a good way to get a feel for your prospective vet. Check review sites like Yelp, and on social media sites like Facebook for feedback from current and past clients.
If you’re in any Facebook groups for animals/dogs in your region, seek advice from them as well. Ask your friends with dogs, and neighbours from the dog park where they bring their dogs and why. Hearing from friends or community members will give you a good idea about some of the vets you’re looking into.
Overall, if a vet has good reviews, you can feel comfortable with considering them as an option.
Proximity
There are a lot of good reasons to pick a vet that is near your home. When it comes to an emergency, having your vet nearby is certainly handy!
That being said, you can (and I recommend you do) have an emergency vet nearby that you can contact. Your vet will likely have partner vets to recommend to you for the scenarios because most offices aren’t open late after business hours.
Having a vet nearby is especially important for those who rely on public transit to travel with their dog. If you live in a city like Toronto, you know how many restrictions there are on public transit. To keep things easy for yourself, try to find a vet within reasonable walking distance or make sure that your emergency vet is nearby.
Respect for you and your dog
This is by far the most important factor for me, but it is also the hardest to determine without booking an appointment. You can often tell from the first minute of meeting a vet whether they will be considerate of you and your dog.
My first vet experience with Isla was alright, but definitely not great. We were welcomed by a kind receptionist and the vet was polite. The vet handled Isla well, but when it came to medication, they didn’t give me the time to consider anything before writing a prescription. When I tried to say that I would prefer taking time to consider my options, I was met with a condescending response. The entire experience felt very rushed, and was very expensive.
What I’ve learned since then is to look for signs that the vet respects you and your dog. From the experience I described, the vet handling Isla gently was a good sign. Isla seemed pretty calm around the vet.
Where things went wrong was when the vet started pushing medications and tests on me and Isla. There is nothing wrong with recommending treatments and preventions, but unless my dog is in urgent need, I should be given time to consider these recommendations. A good vet has always taken the time to explain their diagnoses and has given me pamphlets for further reading to consider.
A good vet should be taking the time to answer any questions you may have. If they are dismissive of you, and make you feel like you’re taking up their time, then look elsewhere for a vet. As you are paying for their time and expertise, it is not unreasonable to expect honest answers to all of the questions you have about your dog’s health.
I hope these recommendations are helpful in your search for the right vet for your dog. While these are the factors I deem most important, there are definitely others that may be on your mind. If there’s something I’ve missed from this list, let me know or add it in the comments below!