How to choose a vet

When choosing a vet, there are several things you should be looking out for, ranging from specialisms to qualifications. Here are our top tips on how to find the best vet for your pet.

Do your research

The first thing you should do is undertake research on the vets in your local area. Check them out online and read reviews on Google, trusted sites such as Trustpilot, or on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Reading people’s reviews of their experiences at the different vets in your area will help you to better understand whether they are a good option for you and your pet.

Another way to do your research is by calling the vets yourself and asking them questions about how long they have been treating pets, how much they charge, what specific services they offer, and their hours of work. This also allows you to see how friendly, caring, professional and helpful they are.

Talk to people

It’s always a good idea to ask any family, friends or even colleagues with pets which vet they use, as they will have their own experiences to share. Getting a personal recommendation from someone you trust is an effective way to kick off your search.

Check prices

One of the key things you’ll want to know when narrowing down the list of potential vets is how much they charge for their services and treatments. Prices tend to vary for each veterinary practice depending on their staff, level of expertise, facilities, and services they offer.

You should be able to get typical costs for routine check-ups, treatments, and medications to help you decide whether it’s in your budget.

If you don’t already have pet insurance, take a look at what policies are available, as some can help contribute towards vet fees. Check out the pet insurance policies available here at Asda Money.

Find a vet that has expertise in treating your pet

The vet you choose should ideally have expertise in treating your specific pet. For example, some vets may have more experience with dogs, whilst others may be more experienced with cats. Always ask questions about the veterinary practice’ level of expertise and specialisms, as this will help you determine which vet is right for your pooch or your kitty.

Check qualifications

Whilst it sounds like a given, always be sure to check that the vet you go for has the correct qualifications and is appropriately licensed to treat your pet. Qualified vets will usually have the initials MRCVS or FRCVS after their name, but you can also check to make sure your vet is registered on the RCVS website, which is the body responsible for registered vets.