How to find the best veterinarian for your dog

When it comes to your dog’s health, you want it to have the best veterinarian you can trust. Where to start? Whether you’re an aspiring dog breeder or just moved your family and furry best friend to another location, there are a few factors to consider before you get started.

Think about it this way: how would you like your own doctor to be? You would prefer a well-educated, experienced doctor who treats you kindly and respectfully and is nearby. Of course, his schedule should correspond to your employment at work, but in addition, he should be ready to resolve issues after hours in case of an emergency. When looking for a new veterinarian, make sure your potential veterinarian meets the same high standards as your own. How to find such a doctor?

Ask your friends

You will likely feel more comfortable taking your dog to a veterinarian in your area who has been personally recommended to you by a friend. Similarly, if this buddy is unhappy with his veterinarian, he is unlikely to recommend him. What’s more, a disgruntled dog buddy might even be able to warn you against the many dubious doctors in your area. Ultimately, a friend or family member who is happy with their veterinarian—and willing to share their contact details with you—is a guarantee that you will like that doctor, too.

Consider location

Is convenience the most important aspect of choosing a veterinarian for you? Then limit your internet search to a specific area to find the veterinarian closest to your home or work. Once you’ve identified a few specialists near you, explore their clinic sites online to learn more about each one.

Ask at an animal shelter, pet store or breeder

You may have recently adopted a dog. Congratulations! Before you leave and start living together, ask the breeder or shelter staff who they think is the best veterinarian in the area. All of them have dealt with different veterinarians, so they can share their honest opinion with you about which one would be the best for your new family member.

Pay attention to cleanliness

Make sure the veterinarian you’re considering is clean on the premises. All equipment should also be cleaned and sterilized if necessary. Garbage should be taken out regularly throughout the day, and all dog “incidents” should be cleaned up immediately.

…and organization

It is important that the veterinary clinic has a good organization. All patient records must be properly kept and appointments must be made by appointment so that people and animals do not have to wait too long for their turn. If you find that employees are doing too many things at once, it may be better to find another, less busy veterinary clinic where your dog can be given more attention.

How well does he know everything?

Any veterinary specialist whose services you consider using should be aware of the latest developments in veterinary medicine. You can learn about this by looking at diplomas, licenses and certificates that show such awareness. In addition, you can ask the veterinarian what he does to improve his skills. What matters is not how exactly the specialist maintains his awareness, but that he knows the most relevant and important information about the treatment of your pet.

Are his services beyond your budget?

When it comes to dog health, money is not the first thing to think about; The main thing is to help her recover. However, pricing can still be an important consideration when choosing a veterinarian for your pet because, all other things being equal, the one that best fits your budget may be the better choice.

Personality matters most

If you are choosing between two (or more) modern, clean and well organized clinics, how do you make the final choice? Instead of the classic “eniki-beniki” rhyme, your decision should be based on the personality of the veterinarian. Did you “click” on your first visit as a client? Do you feel comfortable when you leave your furry pet alone? Maybe your dog liked one veterinarian more than another? If you don’t see eye to eye with him on how he works, there’s a good chance your dog won’t like him either. Find a clinic that suits both of you.

It’s okay to be picky when looking for a doctor for your dog. Take your time choosing the most convenient and clean clinic with well educated professionals who, most importantly, your pet can trust.