How do you know when it’s time for a new vet? Perhaps you’ve been with your vet for years and through many fur kids. Yet, something just doesn’t seem right. Or things have changed.
Moreover, you may be torn by your loyalty to your long-time vet and your love for your dog. Well, there may come a time when you need to cut your losses and find a new vet.
Today, let’s dig in and discover the 15 of the most common red flags to look for when you need a new vet.
*Updated: April 4, 2024
Budget tip:
If you don’t feel like you are able to be a partner with your vet helping to achieve your dog’s health goals, then it’s time to get a new vet. Remember you can look into such things as Pet CreditCare or Pet Insurance for your dog’s vet care services. But one of my favorite tips for pet healthcare costs is with a pet savings account.
Basically, you open a savings account, and add a little each month, maybe $10-25 or more depending on your abilities and your dog’s needs. It will add up over time. The key is that it’s only used for your dog’s medical care.
Thus, whenever it’s time to go to the vet, you pay with it from that savings account. It’s very similar to a Health Savings Account for humans, but for pets. You can even add the monthly payments into your dog’s budget. Or the best way to do it is to have it automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings and added to that account monthly.
Either way, make sure you account for it on your dog’s budget. A new vet can be a big win-win for both you and your dog!
1. Vet is a long car ride away from home
If you’ve recently moved 30-60 minutes or more away from your vet, but you’re debating about keeping your vet then it may be time to look more locally for a vet. Keep in mind those emergencies and bad weather situations.
Therefore, it’s nice to have a great vet within 10-15 minutes of home, if at all possible.
Note: As an example, Henry’s current vet is less than three minutes away from home. One of his emergency care vets is 20 minutes away from home. Although, with snow, an emergency vet visit can easily become 40 minutes.
Do you wish you could get a virtual visit with a vet for a simple question or when you’re away from your vet? In this article, I guide you through the world of vet-telehealth. Also, some options are free. Cool, huh?
2. Veterinary office, facility, or rooms are dirty, unsanitized, or smell nasty
An unclean facility is completely unacceptable! It’s a run to a new vet moment!
Remember this is a health facility for your pets. So, it must be clean and sanitized. Otherwise, your dog could get sicker.
In fact, if your vet, staff, or any vet tech is exhibiting an unhealthy veterinary practice, I’d advise you to contact your state veterinary board. It could prevent your dog or another pet from becoming sick unnecessarily while visiting this veterinary clinic.
3. Rude vet, vet tech, or staff
There is no excuse for the vet, vet tech, or staff to be rude. Although, keep in mind, that you also shouldn’t be raising “canine” without just cause.
With that being said, I always say it’s much easier to catch flies with honey than with vinegar. So, try to keep the temperature down. But if the vet or staff is nasty by nature, then it’s time to move to different veterinary services.
You can rest assured if the staff is rude to you, they’ll be rude to your dog as well. Thus, you’ll want to find a new vet.
4. You feel like you are put on the defense
Generally, when you take your dog or pet to the vet, you want to get help for your furry friend. You should be considered a partner in your dog’s health care. Not an adversary.
For example, if the veterinary team says your dog’s teeth are great, but then rudely lectures you on dental care that’s not acceptable. You’re obviously doing a great job with your dog’s dental care.
This goes for any part of the vet appointment or even asking for your dog’s medical records. The veterinary team should always be professional with you and your pet.
In the end, if you feel like you’re put on the defense at any point and especially if it’s a continual type of experience, then it’s time for a new vet.
5. Your dog isn’t shown any TLC by the veterinary team
No matter the reason your dog or pet is visiting the vet, he or she shouldn’t be treated like a moving box. Your furry friend is precious and deserves respect.
As illustration, think of a time you were on a date and witnessed your date completely disrespect the wait staff at a restaurant. Simply put, if your date ignores or mistreats the waitress, then the date probably isn’t worth a second date.
Thus, for your vet, it’s a good idea to notice if the medical staff is talking to or petting your dog. Or if the vet is interacting with your dog in a friendly manner. If not, then it may be time to find a new vet.
Note: Henry’s current vet even has a line on his bill called “TLC”. Which, of course, is free. It always makes me smile though to see that little note. I know Henry is well loved by the vet and the entire veterinary team.
6. Ownership change and veterinary clinic changes
You probably won’t find this happening a lot, but it does appear to be occurring more than it used to a few years ago. Basically, this is when a bigger veterinary group will buy out a smaller vet office.
Thus, when this happens the entire policy of the smaller office will most likely change. You may notice changes that you don’t like, or you don’t feel comfortable with these changes.
If you’re veterinary facility ownership changes, then it may be time to find a new vet.
Do you just want to get your dog’s vaccines updated and don’t want to deal with an actual vet? In this article, I share low-cost vaccine options.
7. Nearly impossible to get your dog a timely vet appointment when you express a concern
If you call your veterinary office in the morning with a concern about your dog, how quickly can you get your dog into be seen by the vet? Is it that day or weeks later?
For example, I recently called my vet’s office early in the morning with a concern about Henry itching in parts he never has itched in the past. Since he’s on a very strict diet, I was worried about what to give him.
The veterinary team was able to book an appointment later that day. Henry was with his current vet a few hours later.
However, if you are put off by the veterinary team on more dire issues, such as not eating, not drinking, vomiting, or worse, for days or weeks, then it’s time to look for a new vet.
8. An unwillingness to help give options with the bill
If you’re on a tight budget, will your veterinary office give you suggestions for helping with your bill, especially if you’re handed a large bill? This could be Pet CareCredit or even in-house financing or some other option.
Additionally, you should be able to ask the front staff and they in turn provide you with payment options.
If no options are given and this is a big concern for you, then it may be time to start your search to find a new vet.
9. Rushed in and rushed out with little attention
Do you feel as if you’re on a timer once the vet enters the room with your dog?
For example, your vet will address the one issue or what the main concern is, make a few notes, and quickly dash out before anything else is even mentioned.
Remember your dog’s health is at stake. Thus, there shouldn’t be a time clock. The examination of your pet should be done thoroughly.
However if this quickie rushed appointment sounds familiar, then it may be time to look for a new vet.
Recently my vet even shared during a visit the best ways to extend your dog’s life. Plus they’re all free! In this article, I share what he said and you might be surprised.
10. You don’t feel comfortable with the vet
Does going to the vet give you anxiety? I’m not talking about your dog. But you. How do you feel about going to your dog’s vet? Not about what’s wrong with your dog, but the vet, staff, and office.
For example, do you not like something or someone within the vet facility, but you can’t put your finger on it? Your reaction is a “gut thing”. It’s your intuition. How many times have you heard, never go against your intuition? I’ve heard it a lot during my lifetime.
Therefore if YOU feel uncomfortable with your vet, the staff, or even the building, then it’s time to find a new vet.
Note: The last time Henry was at his regular vet, I handed him a poop bag from Henry and said, “You always scare the poop out of him.” It was meant as a joke. However, the vet thought I said, “You scare the poop out of me.” which caused his face to turn bright red and his eyes to get as big as saucers. He was going to fix the issue immediately! Actually, a great response to what he thought he heard. I quickly explained it was Henry and he chuckled.
11. Vet and vet tech aren’t available or won’t answer questions
Of course, this should be an easy red flag. If you ask a question of your vet and he or she won’t answer it or avoids it, that’s a giveaway.
Maybe you even call the veterinary practice and ask the veterinary team a question and they won’t answer or refuse to find an answer and get back to you, it’s another giveaway.
They don’t know, they don’t want to know, or they don’t care. Any of those answers are unacceptable.
As such, it’s definitely time to find a new vet.
Note: When I’ve called Henry’s current vet office even with a simple question, often the vet himself will call back at lunch or in the evening. This is the type of vet you want in your corner for your dog’s health.
12. Veterinarian and veterinary team don’t listen
This is one of my biggest pet peeves in life in general. You talk, discuss something, and whomever you’re talking to tunes you out even though they are feet away.
For example with your dog, you may want to know exactly how much new food or how to properly give a new prescription to your dog. Yet, you don’t get an answer.
Or maybe you tell your vet you are walking your dog daily and the vet turns around and says “you need to walk your dog daily”. Of course, if he were listening, he would’ve heard you say you already are doing that with your dog.
Now, think of this in a more life-threatening situation.
For example, if you asked if you should give your dog a Benadryl daily and only received a “sure” it could be dangerous. When I asked Henry’s vet about Benadryl, his ears perked up and he said, “Only give him 1/2 of a 25 mg twice daily. And only when he has allergy symptoms.”
Basically, it’s all in the details. If the vet hadn’t said how much and how often or how much for Henry’s weight, it could be harmful to him.
Thus, if you feel like you’re talking to a brick wall, it may be time to find a new vet.
Do you know you can give your dog Benadryl safely and then suddenly after years, he/she can develop a life-threatening allergy? It happened to Henry. In this article, I reveal what occurred and how to have a good outcome.
13. Vet doesn’t give you options on your dog’s care
Your vet should have many options for helping your dog. Not just a shotgun approach to your pet’s healthcare. This could even be with basic pet care tips or preventive care.
As an example, Henry’s current vet gave me a suggestion for how to successfully change his bedtime routine which was changed with his new diet. The suggestion was implemented with a great outcome!
Do you know that simple DIY dog care can greatly reduce your vet bill? It’s true! In this article, I share all the details.
Note: As another example, a few years ago Henry was attacked by a couple of dogs. There was a possibility he’d need additional eye surgery. We finally got to the point of having to make a decision.
Henry’s vet laid out three options. One was to continue to wait a year or so and then proceed with surgery. Another was to do the surgery now and possibly more in a few years with scars and no guarantees of success.
The final option was to do daily compresses, monitor his eye, and stay the course.
Each option had its own unique pros and cons. I asked the vet what he’d do if Henry was his dog. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Henry is a great dog. If he were mine, I’d take option three. He’s doing great with this approach. I wouldn’t put him under undo stress.”
That’s a great vet partner to have in your dog’s healthcare.
This article details the whole ordeal of Henry’s dog attack (miss the gory photos) and how he and I overcame it.
Another example of a lack of pet care options given by a vet
I used to have a mobile vet for my horses. Unfortunately for me, every once in a while she’d go on vacation. One time she was out of town when one of my horses got colic. I called her on-call backup vet.
Basically, the mobile vet came out and simply said, “You’ve got to put him down immediately!”
There were no options!
I rebutted her and told her the steps she needed to do for him. These were the steps I’d seen my regular vet take many times.
Once I convinced her to do that, Macho was back to his normal self.
Furthermore, I was very firm with her, but I had no choice at that point. Macho’s life was at stake.
Rest assured that on-call vet never returned to my barn.
Moreover, my regular mobile vet didn’t put that vet on her call list.
So, if your vet doesn’t give you any options for your pet’s care, it’s probably time to find a new vet.
Want to learn how to find a great mobile vet like Macho’s regular mobile vet? In this article, I share how to do it and how it can save you money.
14. Vet or staff made an error with your pet
This one goes without question. You can overlook a critical issue!
Basically, if you’re taking your dog to a veterinary clinic and the vet or vet tech makes an error, especially if it’s a critical one, then you MUST find a new vet.
For example, a few years ago, I took my cats to have their teeth cleaned. I told them one of my cats didn’t do well with anesthesia and to watch her very carefully.
Unfortunately, they overdid the anesthesia, then tried to correct their error, and in doing so, blew out her kidneys. She died shortly thereafter.
As a result, I got a new vet.
So, if you’ve had a vet who made any errors with your dog, even if not a critical error, it’s time to find a new vet.
If you give your vet or veterinary practice the chance, the next error might be critical.
15. Your dog doesn’t get better or gets worse
If your veterinarian keeps prescribing different things for your dog, yet your dog is continuing to get worse or isn’t improving, then it’s time to switch gears.
Think about it, are you helping your dog by staying with this vet? Even if the vet is nice? No.
So, if you’re not helping your pet by taking them to the vet, which is the purpose of a great vet, then it’s time to find a new vet.
Do you know how to find a great vet, like the one Henry currently sees? In this article, I share all the steps to help you find the best vet for you and your furry family.
How does knowing when it’s time for a new vet save me money?
This may be surprising to you but when you trust your vet, you’re more likely to ask for discounts.
Additionally, you know that what your vet prescribes for your dog is actually needed rather than questioning it.
Thus, having a great vet is good for your mental health as well. You never want your dog or pet to simply be a number, especially if your furry friend is seriously ill.
Are there vets who make house calls near me?
There most certainly should be in almost every area. Some small animal vets will make house calls.
For example, Henry’s current vet will make a house call on occasion as needed.
Or you can call a mobile vet to care for your dog. Sometimes this is the easiest solution. And surprisingly they often are about the same price as a regular vet. At least they are in my area.
Is there free veterinary care for low income near me?
Most areas offer this service. You can contact your local ASPCA or shelter for the information in your area.
Are there free or low cost vet clinics near me?
Most likely yes! I used to help out my vet with low cost vet clinics when I was in college. On a wider level, you can look into:
VIP Pet Care Clinic
PetCo Vet Services
How do I find a holistic vet near me?
This is actually a nice tool by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. It will show you holistic vets in your area. All you have to do is put in your location and then you will see all the holistic vets near you. Additionally, you can click on the holistic vet to learn more about them.
Related posts:
Summary of 15 red flags to know when it’s time for a new vet
Most likely you are not experiencing all 15 of these red flags. Or at least I hope you are not. If you are, then run to find a new vet!
Of course, my goal is to show you a few red flags that will indicate that it’s time to look for a new vet. You may even want to stay with your current vet while you’re in the search process, depending on the red flag.
In the end remember, sometimes it’s difficult to break a relationship, even with your vet. Especially, if you’ve been a lifelong client. Unfortunately, time changes everything and it can change your veterinary care, the veterinary services, the vet tech services, or the veterinary practice overall.
Therefore, if you aren’t comfortable with your current vet, anything is setting off your “doggie senses” then it’s time for a new vet. You know it! However, change can be difficult.
Above all, know that it’s best for your dog. You’ll be happier and less stressed as well.
Have you experienced any of these red flags with your vet? As a result, did you find a new vet?
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