Did your beloved four-legged friend get into something they shouldn’t have? Unfortunately, pets often tend to find plants, chemicals, food, and even toys that they shouldn’t which often requires a trip to the veterinarian.

Maybe you can’t seem to get a timely appointment with your go-to vet or find their prices to be outrageous. Whatever the case is, you are in the market to find a new healthcare provider for your pet.

We’re going to tell you how to find the best veterinarian care in Phoenix, Arizona–without having to second guess yourself or worry too much about your furry family member. Keep reading for more information!

Friends & Family Are a Great Source of Information

Asking your friends, family, and co-workers who have similar pets to yours is a great way of finding a new veterinarian. They will be honest about what they liked and didn’t like about the doctor, their staff, and the office.

You will also be able to ask questions pertaining to the cost and what is included. This is a great way to figure out what vets you may be interested in and which clinics you want to avoid.

Once you’ve found someone who is willing to give you an honest opinion, consider asking the following questions to get the best idea of whether this office is a great fit:

  • Is your pet typically able to be seen quickly, even in non-emergency situations?
  • Does the office return voicemails within a timely manner–and is it done so by someone who can answer basic questions?
  • What is the waiting area like? (This is important for all animals, but especially those that tend to be aggressive toward other breeds or not yet fully trained)
  • What does a standard examination cost?
  • Does the doctor tend to be conservative with treatment options or do they push for the most expensive choice available?
  • Is this veterinarian specialized in any way? Specializations may include old age, pregnancy, cancer or other diseases, or even breed-specific doctors.

Each of these questions is worth considering–you will find that some people have chosen to stay with their vet because that’s who their pet is used to seeing, regardless of cost. You may also find that some doctors push for emergency treatment in non-urgent situations which means your bill is doubled or tripled.

Some of the answers will simply give you a general idea of whether or not this veterinarian is an overall good fit and if you should investigate further.

Go Online

Many people have taken to social media to find everything from dentists to yes, veterinarians. They read reviews and look at photos, which is great but may give you a limited view of the actual practice. This is due to the fact that many vet’s offices do not have staff dedicated to social media presence.

The great thing about looking for vets online is that you can easily narrow down your search by searching for an exact location. For example, one way of doing it is searching for the highest-rated veterinarians of Phoenix, AZ, this way you’ll kill two birds with one stone, getting only the highest-ranking results, and limiting the search to a specified location only. You can go even further and narrow the location down to specific suburbs and streets. This will help bring up search engine results, yielding reviews from the most popular, and frequently-visited sites. These reviews will offer a broader look into a vet’s office and allow you to be less biased than basing your choice on a friend or family member’s recommendation.

Take time to read several reviews for each clinic you are considering. Remember that no one is perfect and negative reviews are bound to happen. Obviously, if all or most of a practitioner’s reviews are negative, it is probably best to stay away from them.

If you find only a few poor reviews among several great ones, your confidence in that particular vet’s office is warranted. Also, pay attention to how the office responds to negative reviews. A caring, well-worded response is what you are looking for; not a tersely-worded answer.

Making Sense of The Information

Ideally, you will speak with friends and family as well as taking the time to search online. Once you have narrowed potential veterinarians down to a list of three or four, make some calls.

Set up an appointment to meet with each vet, preferably with your pet in tow. This will allow you to see the doctor’s interaction with your animal which will give you an idea of how future visits might look.

If your pet and the doctor don’t seem to get along completely but you trust the vet, remember that your dog or cat may be overwhelmed with smells, an unfamiliar environment, and scary sounds. Should this be the case, you will notice this behavior with any veterinarian that your pet sees. Alternatively, if you find your pet adores one vet or another, you may have your answer.

Another great option would be to ask your pet insurance provider for a recommendation. This helps you make sure that your choice veterinarian is legitimate and likely covered on your pet’s insurance.

Take Your Pick

Choosing a veterinarian will likely come down to your trust in the doctor’s ability to care for your pet, the cost of care, and how your animal responds to that person.

You will ultimately have to prioritize what is important to you, but using a combination of the above information will help you choose the best veterinarian in Phoenix!