When you need to find a new veterinarian for your pet, you must get the right fit. Not only do you want someone who can provide high-quality care, but also someone with whom you feel comfortable and confident in their abilities. This is an extremely important decision that could affect the health and well-being of your friend.
DOs
Focus on Their Reputation: Perhaps the most important thing to check is reviews of their veterinary practice online. There are countless reviews and rating websites out there, so you should have no problem finding reviews for a variety of different vets nearby. This will give you a great idea about what it’s like to be a client of theirs and whether or not they deliver quality care.
Look for an Experienced Veterinarian Team: Even though it’s essential to get along with your veterinarian, this isn’t the only person you need to consider when selecting a new practice. You should make sure that everyone on their staff who will be working with your pet (i.e., receptionists, technicians, assistants) has plenty of experience and knowledge.
Locate Other Options: If you can’t find a vet who has enough experience treating x-type of pet, ask them for a referral. Since they specialize in one area, they will likely have several vets that they can recommend. Once you’ve gathered information from your friends or family members and the practice itself, create a list of 3-4 veterinarians that might be right for you and then settle for the best.
Ask Questions: You should ask questions about what to expect during their visit, how often they need to come back for checkups, if any vaccines are recommended if certain immunizations are required by law (in some states), whether other services are provided there (i.e., boarding, grooming), and what the fees include.
DON’Ts
Make an Uneducated Decision: When comparing veterinarians, don’t base the decision on location alone. Not only are there great animal hospitals all over town, but also make sure to look at their prices too! While it’s tempting to go with the cheapest option, price isn’t all that matters when it comes to veterinary care. Be sure to consider actual veterinarian costs and ancillary costs that might not be included in the base price.
Make a Decision Based on Price Alone: One surefire way to end up with less-than-qualified veterinary care is to find the cheapest option. While it might seem like you’re saving money, you could end up spending more in the long run if they don’t provide the proper care and attention that your pet deserves.
Fall Prey to Marketing Ploys: You know that veterinary office that has the shiny building, the fun flyer deals, and offers all sorts of coupons? That might be appealing, but they’re not offering these things because they care about your pet’s health. These are marketing ploys to make them seem approachable and friendly, but they don’t necessarily equate to an excellent veterinary office.
Rely on Personal Opinions: Just because your best friend’s vet is impressive doesn’t mean that yours will be too. Every person’s experience is different, so don’t take your friend’s opinion as fact. As you continue searching for a new veterinary office, put more importance on online reviews and ratings than on what your friend says.
