How to Choose the Best Veterinarian for Your Dog

There’s a lot more than looking for the closest veterinarian on Google Maps when choosing the right veterinarian for your dog. Whether you’re new to the area or just adopted a new puppy (or older dog), here’s everything you need to know about finding a veterinarian that’s right for you.

Look for AAHA Accreditation

It’s a good idea to choose an animal hospital that is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The AAHA was founded in 1933 to create excellence in veterinary care for small animals. Animal hospitals and veterinarians that choose to be accredited are demonstrating their commitment to meet – or exceed – more than 900 standards of care. An AAHA-accredited hospital goes above and beyond for your dog. They must prove to a third-party (AAHA) that they consistently provide the highest quality, safest care.

Accreditation by AAHA must meet standards in the areas of:

• Emergency services
• Pain management
• Contagious diseases
• Surgery and anesthesia
• Radiology services
• Pathology services
• Nursing care
• Diagnostic and pharmacy
• Dentistry
• Examination facilities
• Pet medical records
• Medical library
• Housekeeping and maintenance.

Use this handy locator to find AAHA-accredited hospitals in your area. If you are interviewing a potential veterinarian, consider asking if they are AAHA accredited.

Ask People for Recommendations

Get recommendations from people you trust – like family, friends, co-workers, shelters or rescue organizations. Look for people who have a similar views on pet care if possible.

Tour the Facility

When you find a veterinarian practice you are interested in, take the time to tour the facility. Here’s what to look for:

• Is the facility clean?
• Do the animals seem comfortable and safe?
• Are the dogs and cats separated?
• Does the equipment look up-to-date?
• Is the space well-organized?

Schedule an Initial Interview

Once you’ve toured the facility and you want to proceed, set up an initial “get acquainted” meeting. The worst time to meet a new vet is when your dog is seriously ill. Instead, schedule a brief initial interview to meet the vet and ask a few questions to determine if this veterinary practice is the right fit for you and your dog.

Here are some questions you might consider asking:

• How many vets are on staff? (Look for a practice that has a network of vets that can attend to your dog if needed.)
• Can I request a certain vet when I schedule an appointment? (The answer should be yes.)
• Find out about their telephone policies. Look for trained staff that can answer your questions as well as the ability to leave a message and request that a vet call you back if needed.
• Find out about their emergency services. If your dog has a serious emergency (like an automobile accident), you want a practice that can see your dog right away.
• Ask about how long the wait normally is for a routine appointment. You should be able to get in within a few days to a week or so, depending on your schedule and how urgent your pet’s needs are.
• Find out if they have an email system where you can schedule appointments and ask questions. An increasing number of practices offer online services. Find out what is offered if this is something that would work well for you.
• Ask the vet about the protocol they use to evaluate a pet before surgery.
• What is the protocol for pain management?

If for any reason you decide to switch to a new vet, be sure an ask for a complete copy of your dog’s health records that you can take with you to your new vet.

Keeping your dog healthy and immunizations up-to-date is very important. Find a veterinarian practice where you feel comfortable working with your vet to ensure your dog receives the best care possible for a healthy, happy life.

Do you have a vet that you trust? How did you find your vet? Please share with the rest of the Canine Campus community by commenting below. We’d love to hear from you!