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The Best Veterinary Telemedicine Services

The worst part of having a pet is not being able to ask them what's wrong. As pet parents, we can usually tell when something is off, but it's not always clear (unless your pet communicates with buttons ). If you're anxious like me, this means a lot of expensive vet visits. Veterinary telemedicine services are a great way to deal with problems that don't warrant an emergency visit. If you've ever fallen down a Google rabbit hole trying to figure out if your pet's actions are normal, you should give a virtual vet visit a try.

With veterinary telemedicine, you talk to a vet over text, phone, or video chat to get real-time advice on what you should do for your pet. It's not a replacement for regular in-office visits, and most vets on telemedicine services can't diagnose or prescribe medications for pets they haven't previously seen in person, but they are able to give helpful advice. After trying a number of these services, here's what we recommend.

Be sure to check out our other pet guides, like the Best Gear for Newly-Adopted Pups and Kittens , Best Cat Toys and Supplies , Best Dog Tech Accessories , and Best Pet Cameras .

Updated August 2023: Chewy chat is now free for everyone. We've updated links and prices throughout.

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• Telemedicine vs. Tele-Triaging
• Best if Your Vet Is in Network: TeleVet
• Best Free Service: Chewy
• Best For Continous Care: Pawp
• This Service Can Prescribe Medication: Dutch
• Another Instant Service With an Emergency Fund: Airvet
• When You Need Another Pet Parent: Buddies by Blue Buffalo
• Other Great services: PetDesk , AskVet
• Honorable Mentions

It's important to know the distinction between veterinary telemedicine (sometimes called televet) and tele-triage. We have recommendations for both.

A vet-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is required for a vet to diagnose and prescribe medication , according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, but each state is responsible for setting the regulations for telemedicine. “Many states do allow establishing the vet-client-patient relationship remotely,” says a representative for Dutch , the first company we've seen that diagnoses and treats remotely (within reason, more on that below). Some services require that an animal be seen by a vet in person, usually within a certain number of months, before they can diagnose and prescribe medications via a televet service.

If you have an in-person vet you love who hasn't made the jump to telemedicine, there's still a lot that can be done virtually. A tele-triage service can help you decide whether to make a midnight run to an emergency animal hospital or wait until the morning. It's also useful for the general pet ownership questions you might usually search online: Should I bathe my cat? Is that food my dog stole going to make him sick? What's normal litter box behavior?

Laura Berg, vice president of business development at AskVet , says her team frequently fields medical questions, but they also get (and happily answer) less pressing questions, like how to figure out the size of dog clothing. "We provide the ability for a pet owner to ask a question they might think is dumb but they still want advice on," she says.

Several experts I spoke to say cats rarely, and in some cases never, get veterinary care because of how hard it can be to put a cat in a carrier and how stressful the experience can be on them. Cats still need to go to the vet, no matter how much of a struggle it is, but telemedicine opens up a world for cat owners to show a veterinarian what's going on when they're in their own home. As Dutch puts it, “Telemedicine acts as a front door to health care and brings more pets into the health care system—especially those that otherwise don’t see a veterinarian at all.”

"Pet owners want more and more information about their pet when they’re at home," says Jeannine Taaffe, head of digital health at Kinship, a company using emerging technologies to improve the pet care space. "At-home diagnostics will be transformational for cats. Because they’re so stressed out at the vet, their blood work and urine levels can be inaccurate. Vets don't always have an accurate baseline. It’s really challenging."

Best for: People with vets in-network Available on: iOS , Android Cost: Varies by practice

TeleVet's app is among the easiest to navigate if your vet is in-network. Just create a profile for your pet and connect it with the veterinarian your pet already sees. It shows exactly how much your vet charges for this service and what hours they are responsive. To request an appointment, fill out a few fields—summary, details, any videos or pictures—and select if you'd like to video chat or talk on the phone. Add your method of payment, and submit. Your vet will then reach out to schedule an appointment.

Hannah Lau, a vet at the Adobe Animal Hospital in Los Altos, California, uses TeleVet and says her appointments usually involve walking clients through mini exams—asking them to show a pet's gums, counting respirations per minute, letting the pet trot so she can see them move.

"You get clients really involved and engaged in their pet's health," she says. "I think it makes them feel like an advocate for their pet, and that way they can see what my thought process is as well."

Best for: Answers to general questions Available on: Web Cost: Free for chats; video calls free for Autoship customers, $20 for others

Chewy is one of my favorite companies. It's convenient and has excellent customer service—what other company randomly sends out paintings of your pet?! When Chewy launched Connect With a Vet, it was free only for Autoship customers, but now chats are free for everyone.

If you automatically get food or other goods shipped to your doorstep every few weeks or months, you're a Chewy Autoship customer. It doesn't cost anything to start Autoship, and you can edit or cancel whenever you need to. Video calls are still free for Autoship members only, and $20 for everyone else. It's also free for most of Chewy's CarePlus insurance plan members.

The service is available every day from 6 am to midnight ET, so it's not for middle-of-the-night emergencies, and it's not yet available in Alaska or Hawaii. But if it's available in your state and you want a quick chat, it's a nice option.

Best for: All-year care and emergencies—when you need answers to general questions instantly Available on: Web , iOS , Android   Cost: $99 a year + optional $19 per month for emergency fund

Pawp's service has changed since I first tried it and is now focused on continuous virtual appointments in between your in-person ones. You'll be able to build relationships with the vets, just like you do when you visit an office, and they can help you build a care plan and purchase medications through Pawp's pharmacy—the company says that each pet will soon be matched with their own “care coordinator." Now you can follow up on general health concerns, ask basic questions, or call up a vet in an instant in case of an emergency.

Unfortunately, the $3,000 emergency fund isn't part of the yearly price, so you'll have to opt in to the additional $19 per month charge. It still ends up being cheaper in the long run than most of the other services. If you decide to go that route, the fund is available after 14 days of use to cover unexpected (i.e., emergency) vet bills for up to six pets. You'll have to start a virtual call with a Pawp vet first to confirm your emergency—still, it's more than is offered by most other services and even some pet insurance companies. The fund can only be used once a year, even if the emergency costs less than the fund. You can read what's covered by the emergency fund here .

You'll have to sign up for the free trial first in order to get access to this $99 option.

Best for: Treating a chronic condition; regular video chats Available on: Web Cost: $132 a year ($11 a month) or $35 a month without commitment

Dutch was one of the first telemedicine services to get your pet prescription medications. Dutch connects you with Dutch-affiliated but independent veterinary dermatologists and behavioralists to treat conditions like allergies and anxiety, or for regular tele-triaging and advice. Anything that would require blood work or other lab tests, or physically feeling something like a tumor, can't be diagnosed this way.

If you live in a state where remote VCPRs are legal, you can get a treatment plan within 48 hours that includes prescription medications, as well as training and behavioral exercises, as necessary. The company recommends that you still see a regular in-person veterinarian, as there are things pets need that can only be administered that way—think blood work and vaccines.

If you live somewhere that doesn't allow this method of prescription or you don't need the service, you can still take advantage of Dutch to chat with vets about non-emergency issues you've noticed. I talked to a vet who recommended Feliway, which is not a prescription, for my cats after we moved, and she was able to put it in my cart I could purchase it if I wanted to. The service did not feel like a sales pitch—my in-person vet recommended the same thing.

Best for: Emergencies—when you need answers to general questions instantly Available on: iOS , Android Cost: $35 a month or $75 for one video chat

You can talk to the vet your pet already sees if they're part of Airvet's network, or talk to any of the licensed vets listed in the app through video or chat. You can also switch between the two options as needed, which is handy if you're trying to connect when your vet isn't available. The goal is to get you connected with an expert immediately, be it for emergencies or to get a question answered. Airvet now has a $3,000 emergency fund like Pawp. The terms are the same: It can be used once per year and is available after 14 days of membership. You'll have to contact the team through the Airvet app to be sure the emergency qualifies.

Using Airvet is pretty straightforward. You create profiles for your pets with their breed, age, and weight, and you can note things like prior or existing health problems. If you have your vet connected, it will tell you if they're available at that time. If not, you can choose the "Need Help Now" option to start a video call. From there, you're asked to select a problem from a list of 10, ranging from general medical questions, ear infections, and throwing up to behavioral problems. You can also attach photos. I was connected in less than a minute with a vet who has been practicing for more than 45 years.

You can go through your case history to refer back to vets you've spoken with, which is a nice extra. It also tells you which practice each vet works in.

Best for: General pet questions and support Available on: iOS , Android Cost: Free

Sometimes you don't need to speak to a veterinarian. You may just want to chat with other pet parents for advice on how they got their dog to tolerate snow booties or get tips for moving across the country with cats. That's where the pet food company Blue Buffalo's Buddies app sits.

The Connect tab is like a much better version of Facebook, where people only share animal pics and ask questions about pet behavior. You can also chat with a Pet Buff, pet owners employed by Blue Buffalo (these are not vets) who can answer on-demand questions about general care or provide more info on the brand's ingredients and products. This is good if you want to bounce a thought off someone. There's even a cute meme generator if you want to share funny pics of your pet to your office Slack and a timeline to keep track of vet appointments, history, and milestones.

If you already use Blue Buffalo products, you can redeem points—earned by doing basic things in the app, like setting up a pet profile or speaking with a Pet Buff—for treats and food. If you're considering switching, talk to your vet and be aware that there is a class-action lawsuit against the company for falsely advertising its ingredients as healthy . (The company couldn't comment on the ongoing case. I do not feed my cats Blue Buffalo food, but we still like this free service.)

Best for: People with vets in-network, for organizing your pet's medical information Available on: iOS , Android Cost: Varies by practice; app organization features are free

PetDesk is a telemedicine app with a perk. Not only does it connect you to your pet's vet via video chat, but it also offers an easy way to keep track of your pet's medications, appointments, and other needs.

All of your pet's information is in one spot, including name and contact information for vets, preferred emergency animal hospitals, and groomers. From the homepage, you can see what's open, make calls, visit respective websites, and in some cases request an appointment directly in the app or start a video call.

Once you create a pet profile, you can save health records and prescriptions. In the To-Do tab, you can create reminders for giving your pet medication, restocking food and supplies, and scheduling checkups. You can also request birthday notifications. While you will need to have an in-network vet to make virtual appointments, anyone can use the service as a free medical dashboard for their pet's records.

Best for: Emergencies—when you need answers to general questions instantly Available on: Web , iOS , Android Cost: $10 a month

AskVet follows a similar formula. I connected in less than a minute to a vet tech, who then asked me a follow-up question and routed me to a veterinarian. The whole process took less than two minutes. That holds up with the company's claim that the average time to be assisted is one minute. The app has been updated since the first time I used it, and it includes connecting with pet parents (like Buddies) and other informational articles. There are also now options for training, along with behavior and wellness coaching.

Chat sessions can go as long as you need. The longest, according to Laura Berg, vice president of business development at AskVet, was four hours, when a pet had to go to the emergency room. The vet found a nearby emergency room, called and prepped them for the patient, and then switched from chat to phone call with the owner to stay with them while they drove to the ER and waited. Once your chat is over, you'll get a transcript of the conversation emailed to you. You can also refer back to it on the site's history tab.

Another perk? You can access an emergency fund of up to $1,000. Your fund grows by $45 a month until it reaches the $1,000 cap. It's not as convenient as Pawp or Airvet, which give you a $3,000 fund after 14 days.

If you still haven't found something you like, try one of these services.

• Whisker Docs is pricey at $40 for an instant call or chat, but you can opt to pay $17 a month or $130 a year for unlimited support. If your question isn't pressing, an email costs $5.
• Fuzzy costs $25 a month for a subscription. The service has 24/7 chat support that's quick and helpful, but I didn't like how product-heavy it is—it recommends products via a pet health quiz without having you actually speak to a vet. If you use Fuzzy, take its product recommendations to your in-person vet to make sure they're suitable for your pet. This goes for any vet telemedicine service.

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Top 10 Best Virtual Vets: Veterinary Telemedicine For Your Pets

While a global pandemic may have made the need for virtual vet visits much greater, online health care for pets has been a growing industry for a while. With convenient times, options and pricing, telemedicine for pets makes a lot of sense. We’ve scoped out the best veterinary telemedicine services around.

Veterinary Telemedicine is very similar to human telemedicine/telehealth appointments in a lot of respects. Obviously, if your pet is in need of in-person veterinary care for whatever reason, you’ll want to contact your veterinarian and schedule that appointment.

But sometimes, the anxiety of the vet can be overwhelming for a pet, particularly if it’s essentially something that can be talked about or is a fairly easy-to-identify issue.

Veterinary telemedicine allows you to speak to either a veterinary technician or a licensed veterinarian over video, voice or text and that peace of mind can be priceless.

Sometimes, what you think may be a major issue is minor and a quick talk with a licensed professional (without having to go into the office with your pet) can make a huge difference for you both.

The answer to that is “Yes, they do, ” and, “No, they don’t.” True telemedicine will be able to offer (some) diagnosis and prescription services, but typically requires a vet client-patient relationship (VCPR) according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. What that means is that a vet must have seen your pet in person first, typically within a year, in order to do phone/video diagnosis or prescribing of medicine.

More and more online practices are encouraging their patients to participate–having them come in for that initial meet-and-greet and look over so that should emergency pop up, they’re able to schedule a telemedicine appointment with you at your convenience.

Telehealth services for your pet also include what is typically called Teletriage and generally speaking, that’s what most pet parents are lookng for when they feel like their dog’s poo looks a little off or their kitty seems to be eating less and hiding more than usual. Pet parents want to be able to get in touch with a professional with ease and when they need to.

That’s where Teletriage comes in handy. Most of the time, pet parents really just need triage, general advice, guidance and support from their veterinarian and vet techs, and that’s just what most veterinary telemedicine services will offer exactly when they need it. Experience speaking here, but we find that’s often at 1:00 am after Fifi has lost her cookies twice that night and your vet’s office is obviously closed.

In a nutshell? Veterinary telemedicine is a great option for the same reasons that many telehealth for human appointments are. They are typically offered on super-convenient schedules for you, which makes them easily accessible for most.

They’re an affordable way for your pet to ‘see’ a vet at almost anytime of the day or night, and can often preempt an otherwise super expensive trip to the local emergency animal hospital just to find out a teaspoon of salt may have been all your dog needed to barf up that sinus infection antibiotic of yours they scarfed off the counter. True story, and for the record, our vet said that the medicine wouldn’t hurt our dog, but it sure was nice to just be able to do a quick telehealth chat with our vet to find that out.

And most of all, though virtual vet vists can obviously replace the need to see the vet in-person sometimes, the peace of mind you can get about your pet’s well-being from the comfort of your own (and their) home is priceless. It can mean the difference between that expensive emergency hospital run or just waiting until the morning when your vet is in the office and can see your pet in-person (if needed) and is often much less stress on your pet too.

Pawp is both a digital clinic for pets and a pet insurance alternative, offering you on-demand, unlimited 24/7 vet care via text and video – as well as $3,000 a year for ER vet bills. This way, you’ll get both the guidance and advice that can help you discern between minor issues that don’t require a vet visit and coverage when there’s an actual emergency, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket. The digital clinic services don’t require appointments or wait times, and can be a perfect way to get quick answers about your pet’s health, behavior, and nutrition, or just get a second opinion for your pet’s treatment or diagnosis. When it comes to emergencies, Pawp will cover the bills even if the emergency relates to a pre-existing condition and will pay any vet in the US directly, even before you leave the clinic – no copay, deductibles, or credit checks needed.

What’s more, a single Pawp membership covers up to 6 pets within a single household at no extra cost, regardless of their age, breed, or pre-existing conditions. Perfect for multi-pet households on a budget! If you’re curious and would like to see how Pawp works, you’re in luck – Pawp offers a 7-day free trial to try their service before committing to a membership.

Still, even if not free, they’re reasonably priced and in just a few minutes, you can chat with a vet who can guide you through situations and help you know when it’s time to seek in-person help for your pet. They can even help you arrange that as they walk you through, and you can have a transcript of each convo/interaction in case your in-person vet or an emergency vet needs it. Sometimes, all you need is some talking through, and Ask.Vet excels at that.

5. PetCoach

7. WhiskerDoc s

8. Fuzzy Pet Health

10. TelePaws

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First Pet Lounge Launched at Chinese Airport

Flying with pets can be stressful, from navigating security screening and busy airports to keeping your pet safe and settled on the flight. But Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in China has decided that it’s time to make some changes to pet-friendly travel.After recognizing that a growing number of pets are traveling through the airport, it was decided that there was a demand for pet-specific accommodations. As a result, they created the first pet waiting lounge in the country, offering a comfortable place for pets to wait during layovers, flight delays, or unexpected cancellations.The lounge features 24-hour surveillance, temperature and humidity monitoring with alerts, and location tracking. It is regularly staffed and patrolled by pet specialists and offers both on-demand feeding and remote medical services as needed.The facility is approximately 2260 square feet (210 square meters) and was designed with pets in mind. It offers separate dog and cat zones, a pet entertainment area, and dedicated waiting spaces.“Pets are often treated as ‘live cargo’ in air transport, but the ‘furry children’ have already become members of many families,” explained Zhou Jie, general manager of Shenzen Airport Domestic Cargo Terminal. “The establishment of the pet lounge has changed the mode of mixed transport of pets and air cargo in the past. Based on the digital platform and internet of things technology, a remote medical diagnosis system and epidemic prevention measures have been introduced to provide pets with foster care, nursing, and other services to ensure their safety and comfort.”While this is the first pet-specific lounge in China, it’s not the first to be built worldwide. Several other airports have created specialized services to care for pets traveling through their doors or are near pet-focused accommodations.Directly next to Los Angeles International Airport, Kennel Club LAX provides luxury amenities for pet visitors, including a high-end pet hotel, grooming, spa treatments, training, a play area, and other activities to ensure that furry travelers enjoy the best possible experience during their stay. Soothing music helps to create a relaxing environment, and a dedicated free shuttle will ensure your pet doesn’t miss their flight.Another US-based example is the ARK at John F Kennedy Airport in Queens, New York. Unlike Kennel Club LAX, the ARK is airport-owned and operated – the only such facility currently operating in the country.In addition to dog and cat zones, the ARK offers care for horses, birds, and livestock. The ARK Pet Oasis, dedicated to caring for companion animals, features spacious kennels with 24-hour observation. Pets are provided with food, water, crate cleaning, opportunities for outdoor relief, and, if you choose to add the service, a bath. They are also uniquely qualified to assist with U.S. Customs Clearance.A USDA Level II certified veterinarian is on-site to provide care in the event of illness or emergency. When required, pets can be transported off-site to a nearby veterinary hospital.Dedicated pet lounges and facilities like those listed here are the exception. However, travel-loving pet parents across the country and worldwide can celebrate the fact that new accommodations continue to be developed and opened for pet travelers. We look forward to a pet-friendly future at airports everywhere!Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

How Do I Stop My Cat From Waking Me up at Night?

As cat parents, we all love our feline family members. But that love doesn’t erase the frustration that comes with your cat turning into a furry alarm clock at precisely 3 am every morning. Why are they even up at that hour?In this article, we’ll address exactly that—the reasons for your cat’s nighttime activities and the steps you can take to reclaim your sleep once and for all.Let’s not waste any time…Why Does My Cat Wake Me Up Every Night? Having your sleep disturbed by your cat every night can be frustrating. But before you get upset with your furry friend, consider asking yourself why. Why are they waking you up? Why are they unable to settle in? There is a possibility that this could be your cat’s way of asking for or alerting you to something important. Here are a few of the more common reasons: Pain or Medical Problems This is most common in cats that once used to settle in fine and are now changing their nighttime routine. If your cat is feeling “off,” whether it’s due to discomfort or pain, it may be preventing them from relaxing or sleeping at night. To rule this out, you must make an appointment with your veterinarian. Pay careful attention to any other signs of trouble, including: Panting Changes in eating habits “Accidents” or failure to use their litterbox like usual Excessive vocalization (meowing, howling, hissing)Loss of interest in toys, furniture, or activities they once loved Overgrooming or failure to groom Hiding or reluctance to be handledIrritability or uncharacteristic aggression When you speak with your veterinarian, explain all behavior changes or reasons for concern that you have recorded. If you're unsure, we recommend keeping a journal. This will help you spot patterns and red flags. Feline Dementia Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) in cats is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. As our cats get older, one of the unfortunate age-related symptoms they suffer is a change in their mental state. They may start to act confused, seem unfamiliar with their surroundings, stare blankly into space, or struggle to follow household rules that were once deeply ingrained. If your cat has CDS, they may vocalize loudly at night because they don’t remember where they are or can’t find you. This behavior is often a sign of feeling anxious, fearful, or stressed out. Cat parents who know they have a kitty with CDS may need to keep their cat in a contained “safe place” at night to prevent them from wandering and becoming lost, as it can be incredibly distressing for them. Feeling Hungry Do you have a cat that is highly food-driven? I do! Speaking from experience, an empty food dish can trigger quite a commotion. Our food-driven cat Jinx is quick to let us know when she’s hungry and doesn’t have access to something tasty. In the same way, it could also be your cat’s way of letting you know that their water dish or fountain is running low. Lack of Daytime Activity/Stimulation Cats require mental and physical exercise throughout their day to live a happy, healthy life. When they don’t have this, they can feel bored and exhibit “bad” behaviors like scratching furniture, tearing about the toilet paper, overgrooming, or becoming overly vocal. Much like the cats who are trying to communicate that their food or water dishes are empty, these cats are trying to tell you that they are missing something essential in their lives. It is most common in cats living in a smaller space with few opportunities to engage in their natural behaviors, such as climbing, scratching, hunting, and hiding. Feeling Lonely Despite their aloof and sassy personalities, cats are actually social animals. This is why you find stray cats living in colonies. Your cat’s social needs can be met by you, other people in the house, a second cat (or third or fourth…), or even another animal, like a dog. But they need to have someone they can connect with. Are you your cat’s person? Even if you spend a few hours focused entirely on them before heading to bed, your absence may be difficult for them. Cats can experience separation anxiety, even if the only separation is that you are in a different room, leaving them alone. Differing SchedulesCats are naturally most active at dawn and dusk, which is known as being crepuscular. While some cats will adjust their schedules to match their human family members a little closer, doing so goes against their natural instincts (unless you work a night shift). Other crepuscular pets include hamsters, rats, mice, rabbits, ferrets, and chinchillas. Your cat will likely wake up to get attention or play with you throughout the day, but they will also take many naps. Our cats spend much of their day stretched out in a patch of sunshine, soaking up the warmth and recharging. In general, cats are most energetic first thing in the morning as the sun rises and again just as the average person is getting ready for bed.

Rising Pet Care Costs Lead to More Surrenders

Thanks to a rising cost of living, more people are surrendering their pets to animal shelters or abandoning them on the street. According to Shelter Animals Count, the end of 2023 saw a whopping 250,000 more pets in shelters compared to a year prior. They’ve even seen a rise in the number of purebred dogs and puppies who entered shelters, and there aren’t enough animals being adopted.  Overcrowded Shelters Around the U.S.The stats say it all, and this heartbreaking problem is found all over the United States. For example, compared to 2022, Animal Care Centers of NYC saw the number of abandoned dogs they took in go up 41%, and they’d run out of space as of the start of 2024. Tragically, the shelter also euthanized a higher number of dogs (2% more) in 2023 compared to the previous year.     Animal shelters in Kentucky, such as Franklin County Humane Society, are also struggling to keep up as they deal with more surrenders and strays. The state’s shelters are full, and they’re having a hard time because so many people are giving up their pets as a result of rising costs.The Nevada Humane Society is yet another example of a shelter that has seen a rise in pet surrenders because people are finding it harder to afford their animals or they’re finding it difficult to locate housing that will let them keep their pets. In 2023, the shelter saw a 65% increase in the number of dogs that were surrendered to them.Financial Hardship and Housing Issues Are Driving ForcesWhy are so many people giving up their pets? Financial hardship and difficulty finding places to live that are affordable and accept pets are a couple of the big reasons. Many people struggle with the rising cost of living not only for themselves but also for their pets, as everything from pet food and supplies to veterinary care has gotten more expensive.  Shelters across the United States are doing what they can to encourage people to adopt and prevent people from surrendering their pets. For example, Animal Care Centers of NYC offered pet parents help in the form of training assistance, free food, and temporary boarding, and those efforts worked to avoid nearly 3,000 surrenders in 2023.  There Are Ways You Can HelpYou can do your part to support animal shelters and pet parents that are struggling. In addition to monetary donations, you can donate pet food. Or, you can offer to foster one or more animals who are currently waiting for their forever homes. And you can adopt a pet in need of a home—you might even find shelters in your area that have discounted adoption fees as a means to help people afford their new best friend.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

A Pennsylvania Dog Shocked Its Owners After Eating $4000 in Cash

A Pittsburg couple was shocked to discover that their dog Cecil decided to have the most expensive snack of his life, after wolfing down $4,000 in cash. According to Cecil’s owners, Clayton and Carrie Law, the seven-year-old goldendoodle is a well-behaved boy who has never really done anything bad before. The couple had withdrawn cash to do a home improvement project, but Cecil had other plans for the envelope full of money. Less than 30 minutes later, Cecil was caught devouring thousands of dollars. “I walked back into the room and then all this cash was on the ground. He’s just like this, standing there, and I’m like oh my gosh, he ate some of this money and was in shock. I yelled to Carrie ‘He ate the money, he ate the $4,000,’” said Clayton Law to CBS News. After the initial shock, the couple discovered that Cecil ate a lot of the bills, but that some were still on the floor, albeit torn up and chewed into pieces. Carrie and Clayton describe their pooch as laid back, weird, funny, and almost human-like, and say that he is typically more of a snuggly couch potato. “He doesn’t do many dog things, he doesn’t chew furniture or clothing, that’s why we were extra shocked when he decided to do this,” said Clayton Law. “He has never in his life tried to get anything from the counter, even coffee table. We could leave dinner and go to the kitchen and grab wine, and he would not touch the food, and he just doesn’t care. He just took this opportunity and ran with it,” said Carrie Law. Once the initial shock passed, the couple contacted their vet to see if the dog needed any treatment. Given the goldendoodle’s size, there was no risk of bowel obstruction and he only needed to be monitored at home. At first, Cecil seemed fine, but in the middle of the night, the Laws were awoken by the sound every dog owner knows - the retching of their dog about to vomit. “When you hear that, you immediately just react, so I jumped out of bed and just made sure that he didn’t throw up anywhere,” said Clayton. “And then I went to pick it up… and I realized there’s a lot of like half eaten and $100 bills and $50 bills here.”That night marked the start of the Law’s unfortunate mission of sifting through their dog’s vomit and poop in an attempt to recover some of their money. Luckily, the couple was able to piece together most of the bills after carefully washing and sorting all the pieces back together. “There we are at the utility sink washing this shitty money, yelling ‘Yay! Yes! We got one!’ It smelled so bad,” Carries confessed. After piecing together as many bills as they could salvage, the couple managed to recoup $3,550. According to Carrie, the bank was really nice about it and told them that these things happen all the time. “They said it actually happens quite a bit because money just picks up so many scents, especially if it’s used in the food industry. I guess dogs pick up on that - they have such a good sense of smell - and something about it just drove him crazy.”Almost a month after the incident, Cecil is doing fine and is still a good boy. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Pretty Plants that Will Stop Cats from Pooping in Your Garden

Whether you own a cat or neighboring felines like to frequent your backyard, chances are you have come across half-buried cat poop in your flower beds. Cat lover or not, you probably weren’t thrilled to discover these unsightly deposits in your garden.Although cat poop won’t harm your garden, it also won’t add much to the overall appeal of it either, especially if the cats decide to dig their own toilets in the middle of your flower patch. In addition to preserving the aesthetics of your garden, there are several other reasons you may want to stop cats from pooping in your backyard. Keeping cats away will ensure the garden stays clean and safe for young children to play in. Plus, it will help protect wild birds that visit your garden, especially if you have a bird feeder or two.Besides being unsightly, cat poop in the garden can carry a parasite, called Toxoplasma gondii, which is particularly dangerous to pregnant women and unborn babies. For this reason, it’s super important that you wear gloves when you clean cat poop from your garden. As an added precaution against nasty infections, always use gloves when gardening.Are you sick and tired of cats using your garden as their personal toilet? There are several things you can do to preserve your outdoor oasis that don’t include the use of cruel booby-traps or startling devices.All you have to do is buy the right plant - one that cats hate but will look great in your garden. Although technically a weed, the curry plant is one of the best plants to deter cats from pooping in your garden. Scientifically known as Helichrysum italicum, the curry plant is a small, bushy evergreen shrub with linear-shaped silver-gray leaves. The leaves have a strong odor, reminiscent of curry, that acts as a potent cat deterrent. When a cat brushes against a curry plant, its leaves release a strong odor that attacks a cat’s sense of smell. Plus, the curry plant also has a coarse texture that cats hate. Many gardeners agree that curry plants act as excellent cat deterrents saying that cats stopped pooping in their gardens after they planted curry plants. Since the curry plant is essentially a weed, plant it sparingly so it won’t spread and take up too much space. If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to plant curry plants in your garden, plant lavender instead. A popular ornamental plant, lavender has pretty purple flowers and a delicate and sweet smell with herbal undertones. It’s that delicate smell that will help keep cats away from your garden!Cats have more than 200 million odor sensors in their noses and anything that emits a strong smell, like lavender, will be off-putting. Luckily, lavender is easy to grow and you can plant it in any part of your garden or containers. This gives you the freedom to plant lavender exactly where the cats like to poop to deter them. Many cats also dislike the smell of rosemary, rue, pennyroyal, citronella, oregano, geraniums, lemon thyme, and coffee. Any of these plants can act as a natural barrier and discourage cats from entering your garden and using it as a toilet. Although there are other ways to deter cats from pooping in your backyard, planting plants is an entirely natural and non-toxic option that isn’t harmful to the cats or you. It’s also cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Animal Shelter Receives Donations in Memory of Jon Stewart’s Dog

Comedian Jon Stewart returned to “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central in February, and viewers have been tuning in to watch him talk about current events. Stewart hosts every Monday night, serving up news in a hilarious way. But on February 26, he closed the show on a somber note, spending a few minutes talking about his dog, Dipper.Jon Stewart Remembers His Extraordinary DogStewart shared a touching story of how he met and came to adopt Dipper. He explained that, 12 or 13 years ago, his young children wanted to raise money for Animal Haven, a no-kill shelter for dogs and cats in New York City. To fundraise, his family baked cupcakes and set up an area outside of the shelter to sell them.  He went on to say that the shelter brought out a pit bull who was about 1 year old. At this point, Stewart started to break down, clearly getting emotional as he explained that the dog had been hit by a car in Brooklyn and had lost one of his legs as a result.Through tears, Stewart said his family left the shelter after raising some much-needed funds for a wonderful organization that does great work. But they also left with the very special pit bull who had stolen their hearts and who was, as Stewart described him, the best boy. Dipper even used to go to the studio with Stewart, so he met the famous people who were guests on the show.Then, Stewart shared the devastating news that Dipper had passed away just the day before. He ended with a wish for everyone to find an amazing dog they could love. And then, for the show’s “Moment of Zen,” they played an adorable video of Dipper playing in the snow.You can watch the segment here:

A New Four-Legged Robot May Soon Replace Guide Dogs

Robots aren’t only taking human jobs! Our four-legged colleagues may soon need new jobs because there’s a new AI-powered robot guide dog in town. Named RoboGuide, the four-legged robot guide dog was born and bred at the University of Glasgow. The research team that created the robotic pooch, says that RoboGuide could help blind and visually impaired people move more freely in indoor spaces. Their new design solves some of the most common problems in assistive tech.“One significant drawback of many current four-legged, two-legged, and wheeled robots is that the technology which allows them to find their way around can limit their usefulness for the visually impaired,” said Olaoluwa Popoola, the project’s principal investigator. “Robots which use GPS to navigate, for example, can perform well outdoors but often struggle in indoor settings, where signal coverage can weaken. Others, which use cameras to ‘see’, are limited by the line of sight, which makes it harder for them to safely guide people around objects or around bends.”To overcome these limitations, the RoboGuide uses a series of sensors that analyze its surroundings. Software created by the team allows the robotic pooch to find optimal routes between locations and interpret sensor data in real-time, so it can avoid hitting obstacles while guiding a blind or visually impaired person.This robotic pooch also obeys its owner. Thanks to large models, RoboGuide understands speech, and can even talk to its handler. The RoboGuide was showcased at the university’s Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Center. The team working on the prototype said that the robotic pooch uses several innovative technologies and that their goal is to release a complete version in the following years.Professor Muhammad Imran, dean of graduate studies at the James Watt School of Engineering and co-investigator on the project said: “Our assistive technology project for the visually impaired embodies innovation, fostering inclusivity.”“In Glasgow, we’re pioneering world-changing technologies that hold the potential to transform lives and reshape societal norms. This achievement was made possible through collaboration with industry and charity partners and co-creating the design with the invaluable input of end users.”The prototype was tested for the first time with volunteers at the Hunterian, Scotland’s oldest museum, in December. During the trial,  the robotic pooch guided the volunteers around the museum and provided interactive speeches on six different exhibits. With an estimated 2.2 billion people in the world living with some form of vision loss, the team hopes to create a commercial product to help guide visually impaired people indoors.“Ultimately, our aim is to develop a complete system which can be adapted for use with robots of all shapes and sizes to help blind and partially sighted people in a wide range of indoor situations,” said Wasim Ahmed, who’s also a co-investigator on the study.  The RoboGuide project is backed by two leading charities. Both the Forth Valley Sensory Centre Trust (FVSC) and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) are supporting the development of RoboGuide. “Mobility is a big issue for the blind and partially sighted community,” said Jacquie Winning, the chief executive of FVSC. “RoboGuide is a wonderful solution to that problem, and we are delighted to help test this innovative and creative robot.”James Adams, the director of RNIB Scotland, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting the research and development of technology that could be part of making the world more accessible and empowering blind and partially sighted people to live their lives confidently.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

28-pound Cat Named 'One Frosty Too Many' Finds a Forever Home

A morbidly obese cat found wandering the streets in Virginia has found a forever home after Richmond Animal Care and Control shelter posted a funny adoption ad on their Facebook page.Tipping the scales at 28.5 pounds the shelter named the chubby feline ‘One Frosty Too Many’ or Frosty for short, after Wendy’s frozen treats. “You know we love a cat with a belly, and lord almighty this one has the best belly in town. Meet One Frosty Too Many,” wrote the shelter on its Facebook page. The shelter described the cat as 28.5 pounds of pudge with a side of crankiness. “As long as you let him do what he wants when he wants, everything is fine; still we recommend you proceed with caution.”The person who brought Frosty to the shelter said he found the chubby cat roaming the streets of Richmond, shared shelter director Christie Peters. The cat was morbidly obese but was otherwise in good general health. “We put him on a strict low-calorie diet and he wasn’t too happy about that,” said Peters, estimating that Frosty is about two years old. “Because he was cranky, we kept telling him he’ll feel a lot better when he loses weight.”Frosty’s adoption ad garnered a lot of attention, and many were interested in adopting the chubby tabby. However, one woman beat everyone to it and took Frosty home. Maggie Thompson, her husband, and two sons were on the way home to Stafford when she saw the Facebook post about Frosty. “I thought, ‘Oh, I want that cat,’” said Thomson, who owns a pet-sitting business, according to The Washington Post. She persuaded her husband, Mike, to stop in Richmond so they could visit the shelter and ask about adopting Frosty.As soon as she met Frosty, she knew that she couldn’t go home without him. “He got on my lap and started purring,” said Maggie. “With animals, they pick you. You just know when it’s right, and they do, too.”Thomson’s sons, Mickey and Andy, were ecstatic they’d be taking home a chubby cat. The family already has two cats, Rose and Wolfie, which are around one year old. “They are under seven pounds each - less than 14 pounds together,” said Thompson. “But I had a feeling they’d all get along just fine and become friends.”After Thompson filled out adoption papers, the shelter staff explained to her that Frosty would need to follow a strict diet and eat low-calorie cat food twice a day until he’d dropped half his body weight. The shelter didn’t have a large enough carrier for Frosty, so they placed him in a dog crate. “We put him in the back of the car, and he didn’t protest at all. He was a good rider and was pretty quiet the whole trip,” said Thomson. When they arrived home, Thomson placed the family’s newest addition into a spare room for a few days to gradually introduce him to their other two cats.Thomson decided that their new cat deserves a new name, one that won’t be associated with desserts. “We’ve decided to call him Gus. That’s what he looks like to me. I now call him Gussie, and he responds well to that.”Gus has adjusted nicely to his new home and loves lounging on the bottom level of a cat tree. Thomson plans to start a weight-loss journey page for Gus on Facebook to track his progress.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Followers Cry Fowl as Staffie Peggy and Magpie Molly, Separated

Fans of the social media darlings start an online campaign to reunite the odd couple.

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How to Introduce Your Cat to Your Baby

Are you preparing to welcome a new baby, and you want to be sure that your fur baby will be ready for such a big change? Cats are creatures of habit, so major shifts in their daily life, which happens when a child is born, can cause them to feel stressed. But if you take the right steps in advance and after you bring your baby home, you can ensure everyone in your family will adjust to the changes without anxiety.Check out the tips below on how to introduce your cat to your newborn.

Why Does My Herding Dog Nip People?

Does your playful pup turn into a little velociraptor anytime they are around guests or even family members (especially children)? It’s a common struggle with herding dogs, but it doesn’t have to continue frustrating you for the rest of their lives! Herding dogs were bred with strong instincts to manage and control the movement of livestock. While that behavior is helpful when working in the fields, it can translate into unwanted nipping in everyday life. In this article, we’ll explain why herding dogs nip and, more importantly, how to train them to show their affection in a more acceptable way. What are the Personality Traits of a Herding Dog? Before focusing on this specific problem behavior, let’s take a step back and start at the beginning. What is a herding dog, and what personality traits are they most known for? Dogs classified in the Herding Group were bred specifically to gather, herd, and protect livestock. This means that they were bred with instincts that would help them perform their jobs safely and effectively. Some of the more common herding breeds include: Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Bearded Collie Belgian Malinois Border Collie Collie German Shepherd Dog Old English Sheepdog Pembroke Welsh Corgi Shetland SheepdogThese dogs are athletic and agile, allowing them to work with livestock on any terrain. They are also incredibly smart and can learn to follow even the most subtle hand movements. This means they are highly trainable but also have high exercise needs. Why Does My Herding Dog Nip People? Okay, these dogs are highly intelligent and full of energy – but how does that translate to nipping? If this is your first time living with a herding dog, you may be concerned that your dog has aggressive tendencies after seeing them nip at peoples’ ankles. You may be relieved to learn that this isn’t actually a sign of aggression. When your herding dog nips at someone’s feet or heels, they are tapping into their natural instincts. They are attempting to herd that person, just as they would with livestock in the field. Understanding this can help you view their behavior in a different light. The herding behavior is more likely to be triggered when someone mimics livestock in their eyes, running or playing around. Children are often on the receiving end for this reason, which can create a concerning situation.

After 5 Long Years, a Lost Senior Dog is Reunited With His Owner

It seems that year is off to a good start in Sharonville, Ohio, where a true miracle happened for a hopeful pawrent. A Butler County woman named Hannah experienced immense relief and happiness after she was reunited with her long-lost doggo, at the annual My Furry Valentine adoption event in Sharonville. Will, Hannah’s wonderful Golden Retriever buddy had been missing for five years, after he wandered away from home in October 2019. Devastated, Hannah and her family searched for days and weeks for Will, but without success. In the end, fearing the worst, they had to let go of their wavering hopes.But incredibly, much to their amazement, their hopes were rekindled. They spotted a stray dog photo posted out of Clermont County – the resemblance to Will was uncanny. Hannah quickly sent a Facebook message to the nonprofit Clear the Clermont County Animal Shelter, inquiring about the dog - apparently named Rome. After a brief explanation, she said she believed it was none other than her beloved Will. 

Homeless Man Rescues a Litter of Orphaned Puppies During a Storm

An anonymous homeless man has become an internet sensation after rescuing a litter of puppies and taking them to the shelter during a storm. In the wake of a recent storm, the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society in North Carolina discovered that a nameless man had dropped off a litter of five puppies at the shelter’s door. The puppies, estimated to be less than two months old, were left with a touching note. “The note was from a kind soul, a homeless man who, despite his own hardships, took it upon himself to rescue these innocent lives after their mother, a local stray he cared for, tragically passed away,” share the shelter in a Facebook post. The shelter also posted pictures of the note left by the homeless man, who apologized for not being able to care for the puppies himself. “Please help,” he wrote. “I found these puppies sadly after noticing a local stray dog that I would often feed when I could, dead by the road. She had been hit by a car.” The man added that he knew she had a litter of puppies nearby and that he searched the area for them, so they wouldn’t starve and freeze to death waiting for their mom to return. “I’m sorry for leaving them like this, but I myself am homeless and cannot afford to care for them,” the man explained. “My heart shatters for them and their mother. I just want them to be given the chance their mother, like myself, was never given.”“Please do not think poorly of me, but it felt wrong leaving them alone in the cold waiting on a mother that would not be coming home. Sincerely, the nameless man.” Touched by this selfless act of kindness, the shelter thanked the nameless man, saying that his good deed hadn’t gone unnoticed. The shelter promised to honor this selfless gesture by ensuring these puppies get all the love and care they deserve. “Your empathy in the face of adversity gives us hope and inspiration,” the shelter wrote. The staff invited the man to come by the shelter to visit the puppies and get a proper thank you. So far, the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society has not heard from the man but noted that many people have offered to help him get back on his feet if he comes forward. To acknowledge the lucky circumstances of their rescue, the shelter named the puppies Chance, Kismet, Serendipity, Fortun, and Fate. The puppies were extremely malnourished and small when they were rescued, so the shelter couldn’t yet determine their breed.“We are guessing they are lab mixes and will grow to be about 30 to 40 pounds, but again that’s a guess,” said the shelter. According to the shelter, the applications to adopt these cute puppies will open on February 1. The organization explained that they will only consider applicants from Cumberland County, North Carolina because the puppies are going home on a foster-to-adopt basis until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered. In the meantime, the organization is accepting donations and has a wish list available for anyone willing to assist in caring for these puppies. “Unfortunately, we still don’t have any updates about the kind man who brought these puppies to us. While the puppies have names now, their rescuer remains unknown. We continue to hope he’ll come forward,” the shelter wrote. “Thank you for your continued support and love for these animals. Together we’re making a difference in their lives one puppy at a time.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Can Stress or Anxiety Cause Diarrhea in Dogs?

Dogs are no strangers to stress and anxiety. While most pooches are the picture of the tail-wagging, carefree dog whose only stress is that they have to wait for their next meal, some have it a bit more ruff. Anxiety in dogs can vary from mild to severe, triggered by specific and occasional stressors (such as  fireworks, for example) or present on a daily level. Naturally, your pet’s state of mind has a big impact on their overall health, so it doesn’t surprise that dogs with anxiety often have tummy issues. But does that mean that a stressful situation or anxiety can directly cause diarrhea in dogs? Having in mind that, in a way, your pet’s mental health is connected to their digestion, it sounds highly probable.How Stress and Anxiety Can Cause DiarrheaSo how does it work? The connection between the brain and the gut, often referred to as the gut-brain axis, plays a crucial role in the overall health and well-being of dogs. When dogs experience stress or anxiety, it can trigger a cascade of physiological responses, including changes in gut motility, secretion of digestive enzymes, and alterations in the composition of gut microbiota. These disruptions can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea.When stress or anxiety takes hold, it's not just a matter of frazzled nerves. These emotional states can set off a domino effect within your dog's digestive system. Rather than a simple list of effects, think of it as a cascade of events:Picture your dog feeling anxious during a  thunderstorm or while being left alone. This emotional response triggers a surge of adrenaline, part of the body's "fight or flight" response. Blood flow shifts away from the digestive organs and toward the muscles, heart, and lungs, hastening gut motility.Meanwhile, the delicate balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, known as the microbiome, is disrupted by stress. This dysbiosis can lead to inflammation, changes in gut permeability, and an upset stomach.Furthermore, chronic stress weakens the immune system, leaving your dog more susceptible to infections and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.Beyond these physiological effects, stress-related behaviors like excessive chewing,  licking, or ingesting non-food items can irritate the digestive tract, exacerbating diarrhea.How To Deal With Stress-Related Diarrhea in DogsIf your dog is experiencing stress-related diarrhea, there are several things you can do to alleviate their discomfort and ensure a speedier recovery.Before anything else, it’s essential to identify and address stressors. Determine the underlying causes of your dog's stress or anxiety and take steps to minimize or eliminate them where possible. This may involve providing a calm, predictable environment, addressing separation anxiety, or using  desensitization techniques for noise phobias.Next, support their digestion with a mild, nurturing diet and the right supplements. Your pet’s tummy is upset, so you shouldn’t neglect the importance of rebalancing their gut biome and helping their digestion. Instead of their usual kibble, offer them a bit of broth, some cooked rice, or boiled chicken breast. Additionally, a digestive supplement such as  Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder can work wonders in managing symptoms of diarrhea. With a combination of special probiotics and antioxidants, this powdered supplement will quickly restore your pet’s GI tract and help their stool get back to its normal consistency. And since it’s packed with live microorganisms to benefit beneficial intestinal microflora, it can also help treat excessive gas and other digestion-related troubles, so it’s good to keep stocked in your pet’s first aid kit, especially if they have a sensitive stomach. 

WhiskerDocs

How we selected the best online veterinarians, the 8 best online veterinarians of 2023.

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Telehealth has become increasingly popular in recent years, and not just for people. When pet parents need a little extra guidance, the best online veterinarians provide on-demand consultations with licensed veterinarians via phone, video, or chat

While you should always contact your primary veterinarian or an emergency clinic if you have a concern about your pet's physical health or behavior, virtual vets can provide you with quick answers about non-emergency questions, consultations, or refills on medications. 

One of the biggest benefits of online pet care is its immediate availability. Having access to vets who can answer specific questions can save pet parents a lot of time and money, says Dr. Lisa Lippman , a veterinarian and director of virtual medicine at Bond Vet , a clinic that offers both in-person and virtual appointments for new and existing clients. 

Independent vet telehealth companies usually cannot diagnose, treat, or prescribe medications. But they can be a good resource when you have questions about parasite prevention, grooming, the best dog food or the best cat food , exercise, and behavioral issues. Lippman says that while it shouldn't ever replace your pet's annual in-person check-up, it's a great way to supplement care. "Telehealth is a really nice adjunctive," she says. Some other benefits the best online veterinarians may offer include health libraries, at-home lab tests, and emergency veterinary funds.

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Pawp's digital veterinary clinic provides members with unlimited text and video chats via its app for $99 a year. The service's US-licensed vets and vet techs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other pet professionals, including certified trainers, behaviorists, and nutritionists, contribute to Pawp's on-site resources. 

As a Pawp subscriber, you can get advice for up to six cats and dogs. Vets can provide guidance, advice, and education about dog and cat health but cannot diagnose your pet. Depending on your state, they may be able to prescribe medications. They do not offer advice on other types of animals.

Pawp has the top emergency fund of the best online veterinarians in this guide. If you opt to pay an additional $19 a month, you are eligible to receive a $3,000 safety net that can be applied to emergency care for any of your pets once a year. To activate the funds, you must first video call a Pawp vet to confirm that it's a life-threatening emergency, then get to the ER within four hours. To be reimbursed, you'll need to submit a claim.

Visit the Pawp website for more information .

Your pup might be able to communicate with you through the best dog talking buttons , but you'll still need a vet's advice for problems beyond treat deprivation. WhiskerDocs connects pet owners to veterinary telehealth specialists 24 hours a day, seven days a week. After registering, you can speak with a US-licensed veterinarian or credentialed veterinary technician via phone or live chat, sometimes in less than 30 seconds.

WhiskerDocs veterinarians can answer pet health questions and offer guidance and advice for medical and behavioral issues but cannot diagnose, treat, or prescribe medications. Subscribers also have access to an online health library if they want to do more of their own research.

WhiskerDocs offers both subscriptions and single appointments. Fees for single appointments vary depending on the type of communication. Phone calls or live chats are $39.99. Email a question for $4.99, and you'll receive an answer usually within four hours. Subscribers get unlimited calls, live chats, and emails for $16.99 per month or $129.99 per year. Yearly subscribers can add coverage for additional pets for 75% off. 

Some companies offer WhiskerDocs services as a benefit to their employees, and several of the best pet insurance providers include WhiskerDocs services for policyholders. You'll need to ask your provider to see if they include the service.

Visit the WhiskerDocs website for more information .

The reliable online pet supply store Chewy provides free telehealth to its Autoship customers . With their Connect with a Vet feature, you can live chat or have a 20-minute video call with a US-licensed vet between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. ET. This service is available to customers in all states except Alaska and Hawaii, and there is no minimum Autoship spending requirement to participate. 

Connect with a Vet's live chat is virtually instantaneous and you have the option of uploading photos and videos of your pet as needed. You can schedule 20-minute video calls up to two weeks in advance or in as little as a half hour. If you need help with any exotic pets, Connect with a Vet won't be the service for you. Chewy's virtual vet services are currently only available for cats and dogs. 

Chewy's veterinarians can provide guidance and advice, but cannot diagnose your pet or prescribe medications. If the vet you connect with recommends products for your pet, they can be purchased through Chewy's online store. Chewy also offers pharmacy services to fill prescriptions written by your primary veterinarian.

Visit Chewy's Connect with a Vet website for more information .

Dutch helps bridge the gap between patients and veterinarians for non-emergency pet health conditions. Available 24/7, pet parents can receive general advice or a diagnosis for their animals via video call or instant messaging. This is a good telehealth service for individuals with more than one pet in their household. Dutch allows up to 5 pets to receive care with only one membership. 

Dutch subscribers can get answers to common questions about health conditions such as skin problems, allergies, and anxiety for both dogs and cats. Dutch veterinarians may also prescribe medication depending on veterinary telehealth laws in your state.

For states that permit prescription medications to come from telehealth providers, Dutch provides a treatment plan for your pet, which you can share with your primary veterinarian. Dutch also offers free shipping on every prescription order. 

Pet parents who have pet insurance will not be able to use their coverage with Dutch. The service offers an insurance plan that members can purchase alongside their annual membership. This is an accident-only insurance plan with coverage up to $10,000 a year. Annual + Insurance memberships start at $15 a month for dogs and $14.25 a month for cats. Non-insurance membership plans start at $11 a month for a yearly subscription and $35 a month for a monthly plan. 

Visit the Dutch website for more information .

Airvet is both an independent virtual vet company and one that provides the online interface used by many brick-and-mortar vets. If your regular vet uses Airvet, you can contact them through this service. It is also one of the few services in this guide to the best online veterinarians that allows nonmembers to consult with a licensed vet 24 hours a day, seven days a week for $75 per call. Airvet does offer an emergency fund, but it is only available for members who subscribed prior to May 2023. 

Monthly subscribers to Airvet get unlimited video calls and chat for $35 a month. Via the app, you can speak to a telehealth vet in seconds or request to meet virtually with your primary veterinarian if they are a member of Airvet. The first option carries no additional fee. Your primary vet sets the price for their virtual consultations.

Nonmembers can connect on-demand with an Airvet provider for $75 or request a call with their primary veterinarian for their established fee.

While Airvet's licensed vets can't diagnose or treat your pet, if you connect with your primary vet with whom you have an established veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) , they may be able to advise and prescribe medication.

Visit the Airvet website for more information .

Vetster is one of the most versatile telehealth pet services available. For $19.99 per month, US-based subscribers can access unlimited virtual appointments and live chats with a licensed veterinarian. Subscribers can speak to vets about subjects like dietary concerns, minor cuts or bruises, or general wellness. While the unlimited plan is not available to non-US residents, people outside of the US may also schedule appointments, although fees will vary as prices are set by individual veterinarians. 

Vetster also offers wellness plans , which cover the cost of your pet's annual in-person wellness checkup anywhere in the US and, under some plans, year-round flea and tick prevention and vaccines. 

Vetster has its pharmacy, which is fulfilled by PetMeds so you can seamlessly obtain some prescriptions, like the best flea treatments for cats . However, not all states permit telehealth vets to prescribe medications, so check with your veterinary state board to see if you are eligible. 

Visit the Vetster website for more information .

AskVet connects you with licensed veterinarians to live chat on your mobile device or computer 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

All of AskVet's experts are US-licensed veterinarians with an average practice experience of 12 years, according to the company. They can provide guidance, advice, and education about pet health, but they cannot diagnose or treat your pet or prescribe medications. The service is available for a $9.99 monthly subscription fee. AskVet does not offer services for nonsubscribers.

Most online veterinary telehealth services do not work with exotic pets. AskVet has experts able to help all of your pets, whether they are furry, scaled, or winged. The only animals AskVet does not work with are zoo animals.

Visit the AskVet website for more information .

PetCoach by Petco allows you to virtually ask questions about your pet's health, nutrition, and behavior and quickly receive answers from verified US-licensed veterinarians, veterinary technicians, nutritionists, certified trainers, and behavior specialists 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Veterinarians can provide guidance and advice but cannot diagnose your pet or prescribe medications. 

PetCoach offers two service options, both available via its website or through its smartphone app. You can ask a single question and get a single answer from a veterinarian or veterinary technician in the online forum for a $5 fee. This feature allows you to include a photo and the question and answer will be visible to other users. The average response time for a question is about two hours, although this may vary up to 12 hours.

For $20, you can opt for a private, in-depth consultation with a veterinarian, which includes private unlimited text messaging with unlimited photos for as long as you need to get your question answered. The average response time for in-depth consultations varies, but you may select an "expiration time" for your request. If you do not receive a response by this time, you will not be charged. Both the one-time question and private consultation require an account creation with PetCoach.

Some of the best online veterinarians in this guide offer a health database, and Petcoach is one of them. The PetCoach website also offers a searchable database of previously answered questions about dogs, cats, small animals, birds, fish, reptiles, and farm animals and an Educational Center that includes articles and resources written by veterinarians.

Visit the PetCoach website for more information .

To come up with the best telehealth services, we consulted with veterinarians and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Based on their input, we came up with a list of criteria to select the top independent telemedicine services for pets. 

For this guide, we have included only providers that offer virtual services. Virtual vet services from your primary veterinarian with whom you have a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), however, typically provide more comprehensive care for your pet.

Our selection criteria for the best virtual veterinary services are below. The services that made the final cut have most if not all of these features.

• Access to licensed veterinarians and other qualified pet professionals
• The ability to connect with a vet in seconds
• Extensive vet availability up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• One or more ways to connect with a vet via app or computer
• Monthly and/or yearly subscriptions
• On-demand consults for nonmembers
• Emergency fund
• Other perks such as at-home lab tests, health libraries, and product discounts

Virtual veterinarian FAQs

What is a veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (vcpr).

According to Dr. Douglas Kratt, former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association , establishing a VCPR is essential for responsible, successful telemedicine. To establish a VCPR, a hands-on exam of your pet must have been conducted "recently," a definition that varies among state agencies.

What pet health questions can an online vet service answer?

The best online veterinarians can counsel pet owners about parasite prevention like the best flea treatments for dogs , the best grooming supplies , exercise, behavioral issues, and other topics. A virtual vet can also advise you on whether your pet's medical condition is an emergency or if you can take a wait-and-see approach. "Telehealth is a fantastic initial service for any situation that feels urgent — an animal that is extremely lethargic, having issues breathing, bleeding, having seizures, or seems off," says Dr. Zay Satchu, co-founder and chief medical officer at Bond Vet in New York City.

Can an online vet give you a prescription?

In most cases, an online vet can only prescribe for your pet if you are using a virtual vet service offered directly by the primary vet with whom you have an established VCPR . In some cases, they may be able to discuss, advise, and prescribe medication, says Dr. Hannah Lau, who is the associate director of virtual medicine at Bond Vet.

What can't a virtual vet service do?

Even the best online veterinarians are not a replacement for face-to-face care. In the US, federal and state requirements mandate that veterinarians physically examine animal patients before conducting virtual consultations and prescribing medications. Without an established VCPR, virtual veterinarians cannot diagnose or treat your pet, but they can answer your questions, offer advice about your pet's medical or behavioral issues, and tell you if they believe your pet should be examined or treated in person.

Does my primary vet offer virtual vet services?

Maybe. Many brick-and-mortar clinics now offer telehealth options, including Bond Vet . According to Kratt, more than 30% of all veterinary clinics in the United States now offer virtual services, up from 10% before the pandemic. Check with your primary vet to find out if they offer virtual services.

When should you seek immediate in-office or emergency veterinary care?

Always contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital if your pet is displaying any of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing or rapid breathing, pale or bluish gums, seizures, unconsciousness, collapse, can't walk or stand, uncontrolled bleeding, swollen abdomen and unproductive vomiting, persistent or bloody vomiting or diarrhea, straining to urinate, inability to urinate, or pain.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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Speak to a Bond Vet Veterinarian Online

Meet with a doctor as soon as possible by joining the queue or schedule a visit.

In a real-time visit, you’ll share your pet’s medical history and your pet's medical concerns.

Our veterinarian will evaluate your pet and discuss next steps, which may include medication.

Our vets can prescribe to residents of NY, NJ, D.C., & VA. We can prescribe to MA residents who have visited Bond Vet in the last year.

Benefits of Bond Vet Telehealth & Telemedicine

Symptoms our online vets can address.

If your pet is experiencing one of the following symptoms, please bring them to Bond Vet or another nearby veterinary hospital as soon as possible: Lack of response or unconsciousness, seizures, collapse, bleeding that won’t stop, severe trauma or pain, bloated abdomen, inability to urinate, or shallow or rapid breathing.

Telehealth & Telemedicine by Bond Vet

Our experienced online veterinarians can help pet owners navigate pet health issues via video call. Ask our vets any questions or concerns you have in regard to your furry family member.

A 20-minute online veterinarian visit is similar to an in-person visit: Our doctor will ask you a few questions, take a look at your pet, and offer solutions. While we can’t administer medical tests, we can offer pet care advice, prescribe medications*, and address your pet health concerns. And, if we believe your pet needs in-person care after a telehealth visit, we’ll discuss next steps with you.

There’s no need to schedule an appointment for telehealth. Our veterinary team is standing by from 10am to 6pm every day to answer your questions. So, when you and your pet are ready, click “Connect with a Vet” and you’ll be connected to a veterinary care expert.

Our veterinary team is available every day. Join the queue Sunday-Thursday between 8am-6pm and Friday-Saturday between 10am-6pm. If you have a question outside of these hours, give us a call on our 24/7 hotline: 212-624-BOND.

Once you’re connected with our vet your appointment will last approximately 20 minutes.

You can join the call from your smartphone or personal computer. You won’t need to download an app. Please make sure you are ready with your pet (or photos/videos of your pet) before you click “Chat Now.”

A telehealth video visit is $95.

A compassionate veterinarian will listen to your pet’s history, gather a visual exam, and make a plan tailored to your pet’s needs, which may include medication, a diet change, or visit to a vet, among other things. It is important to note that some issues may be better suited to an in person clinic visit, but a telehealth visit can help steer you in the right direction.

Yes, our telehealth vets can prescribe and ship medication to residents of New York, New Jersey, D.C., and Virginia. If you've visited Bond Vet within the last year, we can also prescribe and ship medications to residents of Massachusetts.

You may choose a telehealth visit over an in-person visit due to personal accessibility restraints, bad weather, time constraints, exposure to COVID, or if you have a fearful or anxious pet, among other reasons.

Some reasons may include a change in behavior, nutrition and diet, infectious diseases (but your pet is otherwise normal), diarrhea, tips for parenting a new puppy or kitten, conjunctivitis, skin issues, allergies, hot spots, rashes, minor wounds, anxiety, or nasal discharge.

The more information you provide, the better our telehealth vets can assess your pet. If you’d like to upload records ahead of your call, please do so at bondvet.com/uploads .

We can’t administer tests, imaging (x-ray/ultrasound) or blood tests in a virtual visit. If we believe your pet should have some of these diagnostics, though, we’ll refer you to a clinic to do so.

Our veterinary team can provide advice no matter where you live. For example, if are not sure if your pet should be seen or are wondering what can be done with your own vet, you can talk with us anytime.

Veterinary practice laws and regulations vary by state, and because of this we can only treat pets in the states listed above.

As with any medical exam or procedure, there are potential risks associated with the use of telehealth. These risks include, but may not be limited to:

• In rare cases, information transmitted by a pet owner may not be sufficient (e.g. poor photo resolution or slow wifi) to allow our telehealth veterinarian to appropriately assess your pet. As such, a delay in medical evaluation or treatment could occur
• In rare cases, a lack of access to complete medical records may result in adverse drug interactions or allergic reactions or other judgment errors.

Give us a call (212) 430-8335 to request your pet’s records and we’ll send them over via email.

Each pet will need a separate assessment and chart so we will treat each pet will need their own appointment.

Want to visit us in person instead?

View our pet hospital locations here , and walk in or book online.

• Healthy Pet Checkup

Talk to a vet online with FirstVet

• How it works

1. Download the FirstVet App

Create an account using your email address and cell phone number. Next, you’ll be asked to create a profile for each of your pets.

2. Your FirstVet video call

Speak to our experienced vets through a video consultation.

3. Get the record sent to your email

After your call, you’ll get an email with details for your pet’s medical record.

You’re just a click away from unlimited video veterinary advice for your pet.

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Online vet care for your pets

Video chat with our licensed vets. Prescriptions available in certain states.

Verify prescription eligibility by state.

70% of Pet Concerns can be solved Without Leaving Your Home

Your pet’s health and well-being are our top priority!

While not an emergency service, we do provide real-time video conferencing between your precious pets and our professional, licensed and caring veterinarians.

We’ll advise an effective holistic approach to care, including acupressure and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) to aid in the wellness of your pet. TelePAWS appointments are aimed at reducing travel and wait times, bridging gaps in care, expanding preventive outreach, and making it convenient for pets and their owners. Our goal is to improve your pet’s overall health.

Need a Pet Prescription?

Only Certain States Allow Vets to Issue Prescriptions via TeleMedicine

Not all US States currently allow the remote prescribing of medicines for pets. Click on the button below to check if your home state or state you are travelling in allows our veterinarians to issue prescriptions. However, even if we cannot write prescriptions, we can still assess your pet’s condition and provide general TeleAdvice which is allowed in ALL states. So no matter what the condition is, or where you’re located, we are here to help!

Your pet’s health and well-being are our top priority .

We offer the following services

Prescriptions*.

While TelePAWS is not a veterinary pharmacy, we have partnered with Covetrus , an online veterinary pharmacy that delivers pet prescriptions directly to your doorstep. For questions about your pet’s prescription with Covetrus, please contact them at:

(888) 606-3336 [email protected] 12 Mountfort Street, Portland, ME 04101

*After a video call assessment, a prescription may be issued if permitted in your state ( check map here ).

Prescription Refill

We can provide a prescription refill or suggest a new course of treatment if the current medication is not benefiting your pet.

Holistic Care

At TelePAWS, we embrace a holistic approach to treating your pets’ ailments and conditions. Whether it’s an upset stomach, an infection, or allergies, we consider all contributing factors when diagnosing and treating your pet. This comprehensive perspective ensures we address the root causes, promoting overall health and well-being.

Veterinary Care in the safety and Comfort of your Home

TelePAWS is the premier online veterinary care service, connecting you directly with a licensed veterinarian for personalized, one-on-one consultations. It’s convenient, time-saving, and stress-reducing, eliminating the need for in-person clinic visits and the associated costs. Amid uncertainties, TelePAWS offers the peace of mind of receiving quality veterinary care from the safety and comfort of your home.

Single Appointment

Single touch point with vet

use in these situations:

✓ New or existing condition

✓ Suspect a minor aliment

✓ Think a prescription is needed

✓ Need a prescription refill

Monthly Subscription

For $35 per month, your Subscription Membership entitles you to six (6) appointments per year with a TelePAWS veterinarian.

You may cancel or discontinue your Subscription Membership at any time. However, please be advised that an early cancellation penalty will apply if you cancel your Subscription Membership at any time prior to your first year anniversary of signing up for the Subscription Membership. The penalty greater than zero dollars ($0.00) for early cancellation shall be calculated to equal the cost of a single videoconference appointment as of the date of the early cancellation (i.e., at the pay-per-appointment rate of sixty five dollars ($65.00)), multiplied by the number of appointments held as of the date of the early cancellation (and subject to the maximum allowable six (6) appointments per year under the Subscription Membership), minus the total monthly payments made as of the date of the early cancellation.

If you cancel your Subscription Membership five (5) or more days before your credit card is charged the Subscription Membership monthly fee, you will not be charged for the next month. In the event that you cancel your Subscription Membership less than five (5) days before your credit card is charged the Subscription Membership monthly fee, the cancellation will be effective after the next monthly billing cycle; therefore, you will be charged the Subscription Membership fee for one more month.

If you exceed the six (6) appointments with a TelePAWS veterinarian as allotted through the Subscription Membership program, you will be charged for each additional appointment at the individual appointment rate of $65.00 per appointment

Please note that, in the event that any payment is unable to be processed after two (2) attempts, then your Subscription Membership will be canceled immediately.

Notice of cancellation of your Subscription Membership shall be made by emailing such notice of cancellation to:  [email protected] , and the calculation of any early cancellation penalty will be determined as of the date of that email.

✓ Have multiple pets

✓ Have older pets that fall ill regularly

✓ Renew prescriptions regularly

✓ Might need more than 4 appts/year

Meet Our Amazing Team

We are immensely proud of the exceptional veterinarians at telepaws.

Our clients consistently praise the outstanding care our veterinarians provide to both them and their beloved pets. Our success is thanks to their dedication and expertise, and we are thrilled to have such a fantastic team. We are always eager to expand our team, so if you are interested in joining us, please visit Our Team page to apply.

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Virtual Vet Visits: What You Need to Know

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After joining a telehealth visit with your physician, you may be wondering if there are virtual vet appointments for your pets — and there are! It's just a matter of determining whether a virtual visit would suffice or if a visit to your local veterinarian's office is required.

Use this guide to determine when it would be best to talk to a vet online, what to expect and how to prepare.

What to Expect

Virtual tools are used to conduct a telehealth veterinary visit. There are many different options for connecting, with some of the most popular being apps that allow you to directly message your veterinary team or schedule a video conference appointment instead of being seen in person.

Direct messaging is as simple as it sounds. This allows pet parents to talk to a vet online through instant messaging or by uploading pre-recorded videos or pictures for the vet to review. Virtual vet appointments are also simple! Pet parents can schedule appointments that will take place via video conferencing. There's no specific time frame for these appointments; some may last only five minutes while others may take an entire hour. The appointment time will be dependent on the need — just like they are for in-person visits.

Claudine Sievert, a DVM from Kansas and veterinary consultant at CatPet.club, explains, "An online visit means that the vet cannot do a full clinical examination. The vet cannot see the color of the mucosa (or gum / inside of lip); they cannot palpate the animal or auscultate the lungs. This can be challenging if the pet parent wants a final diagnosis. That is why many times online vets can give you advice regarding the pet's condition, but not the final diagnosis." This means your veterinarian cannot use a stethoscope to listen to your pet's lungs or heart and cannot feel that lump that you might be describing. Additionally, they cannot administer a medication or a vaccination.

What Types of Visits Qualify?

If you're interested in having your pet examined virtually, you may be unsure of what type of appointments would qualify for a virtual vet visit.

Qualifying Appointments

Pet parents may choose to meet virtually with their vet for checkups and follow-up appointments.

Sievert says that pet parents "with a pet-related problem can seek advice or a second opinion. The vet can advise about nutrition, breeding, treatments, surgical procedures, vaccination protocols, external and internal parasite prevention and more. The vet can also give their opinion concerning clinical signs and possible health conditions."

Still unsure whether your needs qualify for a virtual vet visit? Quite often, your vet or their office staff will be able to help you understand whether a virtual or an in-person appointment is needed. Some veterinary offices will require a phone screening, or they may use an app that will allow you to chat with the office staff and upload pictures before scheduling an actual virtual appointment.

Sievert also shares, "If an online vet estimates that the condition is too critical, they will advise the pet parent to go to the emergency vet clinic."

When to Seek Emergency Care

Whether you use your own decision-making or rely on a conversation with the veterinarian to make a choice, some visits will require emergent care, and you'll want to head to an emergency clinic immediately.

Sievert suggests seeking emergency treatment in the following situations:

Persistent bleeding for more than 10 minutes

Car accidents, which can cause internal bleeding

Seizures of any kind

Difficult labor or prolonged labor in a pregnant dog

Bloated abdomen or stomach

Persistent vomiting , which may be a sign of a poisoning

Unusual, heavy breathing or difficulty breathing

This list does not cover all possible emergencies, so if you think your pet may need emergency care, always err on the side of caution and seek treatment. If you are ever unsure, the easiest thing to do is give your local vet call or an emergency vet if something happens after normal business hours. While not as extensive as a virtual vet visit, describing your pet's symptoms over the phone will give your veterinarian a quick understanding of the situation and will enable them to determine if a virtual visit, a clinical visit or an emergency visit is necessary. In emergency situations, this call also lets the animal hospital know that you're on the way with your pet, so they can be prepared to help them as quickly as possible — sometimes this extra notice can be the difference between life and death.

Can Vets Prescribe Medication Virtually?

Yes! Sievert confirms that medications can be prescribed after a virtual visit, and they can even be sent to an online pharmacy which will mail many prescriptions to your home. As an example, if you need a refill on your pet's flea and tick medications, you can request and fill this medication in a virtual appointment. Having access to a vet and prescriptions for your pet is especially helpful in a time of social distancing, though it's also convenient at any time.

Not all medications can be prescribed via a virtual vet appointment, though. Sievert explains, "When it comes to sedatives, heart medications, immunosuppressive treatment and hormones, the vet needs to perform a detailed clinical examination and blood test before the prescription."

How to Prepare to Talk to a Vet Online

Being prepared for an online visit will help you get the most from your appointment. Your vet will have questions for you to answer, specifically related to the reason you're seeking care, and also about your pet's overall behavior, actions and appearance.

To get ready, make sure that whatever device you're using, be it a computer, tablet or phone, is able to connect to the conferencing tool your vet uses. You may want to do a trial run in advance by video conferencing with a friend or family member to test your audio and video capabilities. Make sure the area is well lit and quiet, and you can prop up your phone while you hold your pet in front of the camera.

Here's a list of questions Sievert suggests pet parents think about before connecting:

What is the pet's breed, age and gender? Your vet may have this information in their files, but if they're having trouble accessing it, you can supply them with the answers.

What are you currently doing about vaccinations, deworming and tick prevention?

What clinical signs are concerning you right now?

When did the problem you are seeking treatment for begin?

What was the initial diagnosis if your pet was seen by another veterinarian first? If you're seeking a second opinion, what was the initial treatment?

• Are there any relevant pictures or videos that can help the vet?

Virtual appointments with your vet can be very convenient if you want to talk to a vet online, but remember, a relationship must already exist before you are able to access care in this manner. In addition, virtual vet guidelines may be different from state to state, so it's important to do your research ahead of time.

Contributor Bio

Erin Ollila

Erin Ollila is a pet enthusiast who believes in the power of words and how a message can inform—and even transform—its intended audience. Her writing can be found all over the internet and in print, and includes interviews, ghostwriting, blog posts, and creative nonfiction. Erin is a geek for SEO and all things social media. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Reach out to her on Instagram @ErinOllila or learn more about her at http://erinollila.com .

Online Vet TeleTriage & TeleAdvice for Dogs & Cats

Dr. Adar provides compassionate virtual vet care and will connect with you and your pets, with clear & concise explanations. Online vet chat available now and video appointments available within 24 hours.

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Online Vet Triage & Advice at Your Fingertips with Virtual Care

Caring for a pet isn’t always all cuddles, whiskers, and wet noses. Sometimes, it’s not as straightforward as you might like it to be. When you have a question about your pet’s care, behavior, or health, but don’t need to visit a veterinarian for an in-person appointment, it’s always best to get an answer from a veterinary expert. Video VetChat’s teletriage & teleadvice service provides the perfect, convenient answer to all your pet-related questions. Ask a vet today!

Meet Dr. Liuba Adar

A California native, Liuba grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. From the age of two, she dreamed of having a cat. At 5, she finally got her wish with her first Maine Coon kitten and fell in love.

Growing up, Liuba was always bringing home stray cats to foster and adopt out. At one point, she even wanted to be a farmer and was accepted into the top agricultural school, the University of California at Davis. In college, Liuba changed her focus from farming to treating animals. The one thing holding her back from pursuing a career as a veterinarian was her fear of blood. After shadowing a veterinarian, Liuba got over this fear and decided to pursue her dream of saving animals.

“ I had absolutely the best experience with Video VetChat this evening for my akita/lab mix's skin allergies. She set us up with shampoo and ear drop recommendations. I am super happy with my experience. I would DEFINITELY use this service again!! Robin B.

“ Wonderful customer service! So helpful. I got every question answered quickly and with practical advice that I could start using right away! Jasmin V.

“ I'm so happy that I came across Dr. Adar! My dog Rover started vomiting, acting strange and not wanting to eat. I was so worried! I chatted with Dr. Adar and she immediately told me to take him to Emergency. I took him right away and he ended up having a bone in his intestines and needed surgery. I'm so glad I was able to connect with Dr. Adar so fast! Qi Wen Liu

“ So glad I came across Video VetChat online! Dr. Adar was such a breath of fresh air. She was able to put my mind at ease. I made an appointment the next day. I'm so glad I talked to Dr. Adar first otherwise I may have taken my cat to Emergency which would have been completely unnecessary. Jennifer L

“ Video Vet Chat is a great supplement to clinic appointments. I have a hectic work schedule and it's very difficult for me to take Mikey (my dog) in for an appointment. Dr. Adar was able to give me practical advice on what to do for Mikey's itching. Will definitely use her again! Deborah H.

“ Dr. Adar is awesome! I was very worried about my poor cat (Misty). She had been scratching herself until she started bleeding. Dr. Adar was able to quickly explain the possible causes of itching, recommend a good flea prevention and give a few practical tips of how to make her more comfortable. So happy that I came across Video VetChat. Dyanna L.

How Can Virtual Vet Visits Help Your Pet?

Fast advice in an emergency.

Personalized pet care coaching

Is your pet itching too much?

Diet/Nutrition

Learn about your pet’s diet.

COVID & NEW CLIENT SPECIAL PRICING: $5 OFF

Enabling access to virtual vet care for all pets.

Online Chat

Audio Only Calls: 15 Min Call

Virtual Visit: 15 Min Video Call

How Does it Work?

With virtual vet care, our online veterinarian can respond quickly and bring the ease and convenience of assessing your pet’s condition in the comfort of your home.

Instantly Connect With a Vet – No download required!

Best when you need fast vet advice in an emergency. 

• Fill out your contact information.
• Pre-authorize payment for your session by filling in your credit/debit card details.
• You will then be connected to your online veterinary consultation.

Click to view our top tips for a successful consult!

Get a Veterinarian’s Professional Opinion, When You Need It Most.

Are you ready for your VideoVet Chat appointment or want to learn how to start a live chat? Click below to request a consult!

Request a Consult   Live Chat

Mon: 5pm – 11pm Tues: 5pm – 11pm Wed: 5pm – 11pm Thurs: 5pm – 11pm Fri: 11am – 11pm Sat: 11am – 11pm Sun: 11am – 11pm

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Final Verdict

• Compare Veterinarians

Methodology

The best online veterinarians are essentially a virtual house call for your pet. And over the past few years, dozens of telemedicine-based, online-only vet care providers have sprung up, most of them offering 24/7 access and the ability to chat or set up a video appointment with a veterinary professional.

While an online telehealth session is still no substitute for a face-to-face appointment with your vet, these services are a great way to get fast answers to questions about your pet’s diet, behavioral issues, and other health concerns—especially if you’re not sure whether or not to take your furry friend in for a physical exam. Wondering where to begin? Check out our picks for the best online veterinarians below.

Best Overall: Vetster

Best with brick and mortar: banfield vet chat.

• Best Budget-Friendly Option: PetCoach
• Best Subscription: Whisker Docs
• Services: 24/7 on-demand vet appointments, prescription service (only available in some U.S. states), wellness plan
• Unique Features: Curated collection of pet telehealth news and resources
• Cost: Starting at $50, but pricing will vary by vet and location

Why We Chose It

Vetster uses a marketplace-based approach to virtually connect you with vet care professionals in your area.

Ability to choose between vets and vet techs

Emphasis on finding medical professionals near you

Profiles and review systems add confidence

Some areas have fewer vet options

Vetster’s approach to telehealth may remind some people of Rover, the enormously popular app for finding pet sitters. The site allows users to search for veterinary professionals in their area and make telehealth appointments with the push of a button.

Unlike most other online vet services, Vetster lets you choose from vet techs as well as veterinary doctors, giving you more control over pricing depending on the urgency or need for the appointment.

Vetster’s interface is easy to use, and it’s usually possible to make an appointment for the same day. We also love that users on the medical professional side fill out profile details listing their professional designations, key areas of interest, and whether they can consult on certain issues.

Banfield Vet Chat

• Services: Virtual office visit, 24/7 live vet chat, nutritional coaching session
• Unique features: Price estimator tool
• Cost: Wellness plans can start at $36.95 per month for dogs and $29.95 per month for cats, depending on age, breed, location, and other factors

Banfield Pet Hospital is an established veterinary care provider with over 1,000 locations across the country.

24/7 vet access

Well-designed app

Continuity between in-person and digital experiences

Must enroll in wellness plan

Text-only chat

With locations in every state, Banfield Pet Hospital is one of the nation’s most popular vet care providers. If your furry friend is already a patient at one of its brick-and-mortar locations, you can complement their in-person care with the Vet Chat feature on the Banfield app. This tool provides around-the-clock access to a real vet, simplifying the question of whether or not to rush to urgent care after your dog eats a bag of cheese puffs .

Vet Chat is easy to use, with a text-based interface that’s also accessible on the Banfield website . The ability to use the same service for online advice and real-world visits is also a major plus, creating consistency for your pet’s care plan.

The only real drawback is that even if you’re already a Banfield patient, you must enroll in the company’s Optimum Wellness Plan in order to use the Vet Chat service. Visit Banfield 's website for an estimated pricing calculator; monthly costs vary based on your pet’s species, age, location, and whether they are spayed or neutered.

Best Affordable: PetCoach

• Services: Online consultation and expert forum
• Unique features: Ask a Vet, Educational Center, healthy pet weight calculator
• Cost: $20 live chat consult; $5 per question submitted to forum

PetCoach is a great resource with a huge amount of free content around veterinary health as well as an easy-to-use “Ask a Vet” feature.

More affordable than other telehealth services

Often publishes questions asked by users (with responses from vets)

Available as an app

Some services are buried in the site

Content pages not organized by pet type

Traditional vet care can be pricey , and telehealth services for your pet can often be as well. For a more affordable option, check out PetCoach , an online and app-based provider that lets users submit questions to a vet whenever they like, or arrange for a private telehealth appointment.

We love that PetCoach publishes a vast amount of content around a variety of veterinary care topics, including many of the questions and responses submitted by the app’s users.

If there’s one drawback, it’s that the site can be difficult to navigate, with few filters to separate content by pet type or condition (and tracking down vet profiles to set up consultations is also surprisingly tricky). However, the app is well-designed and generally easier to use.

Best Subscription: whiskerDocs

Whisker Docs

• Services: 24/7 chat, phone, and text messaging
• Unique features: Health library
• Cost: $16.99 per month or $129.99 per year subscriptions; $39.99 per call or live chat consultation; $4.99 per email consultation

whiskerDocs offers a convenient monthly subscription so you can have access to vet professionals anytime you need.

Offers a subscription service if you frequently need vet care

Options for single visits without a subscription

24/7 access to a vet

No ability to get a prescription

If you find yourself constantly coming up with questions for your vet, a subscription-based service like whiskerDocs may be a great option. This web-based veterinary service connects you to a vet or a vet tech via email, phone, or chat and is available 24/7. If your question is not urgent, you can opt for an email response, but it will take about four hours to hear back.

whiskerDocs can answer questions and give guidance about your pet’s health, but it cannot prescribe medicine. It has options for both subscriptions and one-time visits. Plans are based on a single pet, but you can add additional pets for a discount. Basically, whiskerDocs is a great choice for anyone who wants 24/7 access to a vet for a single price.

While an online vet appointment should not be considered a substitute for an in-person visit, it can be a great way to get answers quickly or determine whether or not you need to rush to the vet’s office.

When it comes to the best online veterinarians out there, Vetster comes up on top. It offers 24/7 access to certified medical professionals with a user-friendly site that makes booking a virtual consultation quick and easy. Plus, it gives you the option to consult with a veterinarian doctor or a vet tech, depending on the urgency of your visit and your budget. But if you're looking for a more affordable option or one that's subscription-based, there are also PetCoach and whiskerDocs , respectively.

Compare the Best Online Veterinarians

Online technology has made it much easier to access a vet anytime you need it. Chatting with a veterinarian online or by video can help answer pressing questions and determine whether you need to take your pet to your local vet . Prices for online visits range based on the service but expect to pay between $30 and $60 for a visit. Some services offer subscriptions so you can pay a single monthly or yearly fee for unlimited access to a professional.

Some online vets do offer prescriptions, but not all states allow them so it is important to research your state's regulations. If you visit an in-person vet, you can often ask them to send a prescription to an online pet pharmacy such as Chewy.com or 1-800-PetMeds to have it filled and delivered to your door. This can sometimes be cheaper than buying directly through your local veterinarian’s office.

To determine the VCPR laws of every U.S. state—including whether online vet prescriptions are permitted—refer to the interactive map provided by the Veterinary Virtual Care Association.

Any change in your pet’s behavior should be evaluated. If your pet is sleeping more than normal, not eating, or acting unusual, it’s important to get them the right care. You know your pet best, so if you recognize something is off, you should call your vet. Sometimes, minor concerns can be addressed via an online veterinarian, but emergencies should always be dealt with in person.

If you're unable to get to the vet's office and you're not dealing with a medical emergency, a virtual vet visit can be a great option. It's a convenient way to receive a professional consultation and get advice on any pet health questions you may have. To make the most of a virtual visit, make sure to investigate the veterinarian first, especially regarding which services are offered and for how much.

It can be difficult to determine what distinguishes one online veterinarian service from another, and some have websites that are low on key information (or seem more interested in pushing dog treats or other extras). We chose online vets who simplified the process of finding and connecting with a qualified medical professional, with the highest marks going to services that had a great user experience.

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14 Places to Get a Virtual Vet Visit Online

WRITTEN BY:

Kelsey Leicht

July 12, 2022

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K9 of Mine is reader-supported, which means we may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. Here’s how it works .

With the advancement of technology aimed at making our lives more connected (as well as a giant shove from the most recent global pandemic), you don’t always need to head over to your vet’s brick-and-mortar location anymore!

That’s right: Pet owners can now speak with a vet from the comfort of home . 

Virtual vet visits aren’t just convenient; they’re also less stressful for dogs than heading to a physical office. 

Below, we’ll explain what to expect from a remote vet appointment and share the best places to get a virtual vet visit for your pooch.

Places to Get a Virtual Vet Visit Online: Quick Picks

• #1 Pawp [Best Overall Place to Get a Virtual Vet Visit] : With unlimited chat and video vet consultations for up to six pets per membership and a nifty annual emergency reimbursement perk, this service is a mutt must-have.
• #2 AirVet [Runner Up for Best Overall Place to Get a Virtual Vet Visit]: With on-demand and subscription-based options, AirVet is an exceptionally flexible model with perks like emergency financing and 24/7 video calls (for subscribing members).
• #3 Vetster [Best Subscription-Free Place to Get a Virtual Vet Visit]: Skip monthly commitments and opt for on-demand care with this remote provider of vet care offering 24/7 care with vets in your state.
• #4 Hello Ralphie [Most Affordable Place to Get a Virtual Vet Visit] : Save your doggy dollars with this wallet-friendly option, offering on-demand appointments with no subscription starting at just $35.

What Kinds of Services Can You Get from a Virtual Vet Visit?

In many ways, a virtual vet visit is a lot like a traditional appointment, covering common canine concerns like:

• Allergies (non-life-threatening)
• Ear infections
• Mild vomiting or diarrhea
• Nutrition advice
• Flea and tick prevention
• Motion sickness
• Eye discharge

What exactly can be addressed via virtual vet appointment varies by your location and the provider , however, as laws surrounding the vet-client-pet relationship (VCPR) differ in every state .

Some bar vets from writing prescriptions for virtual patients, for instance.

Virtual visits for everyday issues are great if your dog has mobility issues, anxiety, or experiences car sickness. They can also take the burden off you if transportation isn’t readily available or you’re dealing with health concerns.

Skip a virtual vet visit and opt for an in-person or emergency appointment for more serious mutt maladies, including:

• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Breathing difficulties
• Suspected poisoning
• Suspected digestive obstruction
• Vomiting or diarrhea in medically-sensitive dogs

Our Ask A Vet feature is great for answering any questions when your vet isn’t available.

Similar to tele-triage, this service doesn’t diagnose or prescribe medications, but it can clear the air around your most pressing pup questions and help you decide if immediate care or an in-person exam is necessary.

Check out Ask a Vet Now! 

The Best Places to Get a Virtual Vet Visit

Virtual vet services are popping up left and right, but we’ve sniffed through them and retrieved our favorites. Check out these awesome options.

This is a sponsored placement , in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Learn more

A subscription-based service offering unlimited consultations, including text chats and video calls, for one low monthly fee.

About: Pawp is a subscription service offering 24/7 vet advice for up to six dogs or cats in one household for only $24 a month. Fill your pets’ existing prescriptions through Pawp’s pharmacy, where many medications are offered at a discount rate.

• Unlimited video and text consultations provided with membership
• $3000 coverage for one veterinary emergency annually
• Covers dogs of any age, breed, or size (including those with preexisting conditions!)
• Can be canceled at any time
• Super affordable
• Excellent choice for multi-pet families
• Unlimited consultations earn a tail wag
• Emergency fee coverage is a major perk
• Subscription-based services aren’t ideal for everyone
• These vets can’t prescribe medication

Check out our in-depth look at Pawp for more information.

2. AirVet 

A virtual vet app offering on-demand appointments and subscription-based care, all at affordable rates.

About: AirV et lets you choose between an on-demand $30-per-call design or an ongoing membership for $30 a month. Allowing up to six pets per membership and unlimited video calls 24/7, it’s a unique hybrid model of on-demand and subscription coverage. 

• Covers the U.S. and Canada
• Provides coverage for dogs of any age, including those with pre-existing conditions
• Annual $3000 fund for treating life-threatening emergencies (members only)
• You may be able to see your current vet (though the fees may differ from AirVet’s fees)
• On-demand and subscription options
• We love the $3000 annual fund
• Great choice for multi-pet families
• Doesn’t accept pet insurance
• They’re still building up a veterinary roster

An on-demand service offering round-the-clock video chat appointments with licensed vets in your state.

About: Nab a virtual appointment without a subscription using Vetster , an easy-to-use service offering 24/7 online vet coverage. Use their user-friendly app, available for Android and Apple users.

• Browse from vets located in your state
• Customer reviews provided for each vet 
• Appointment fees and times listed upfront
• Prescriptions available to pets in applicable locations
• No ongoing subscription fees 
• 24/7 video chats offer fantastic flexibility
• You can choose between vets; you’re not simply assigned one
• Pricing varies significantly between vets
• Vet options limited in some locations

4. Chewy Connect With a Vet 

Chewy Connect With a Vet 

A convenient service offering one-click chats or scheduled video calls with a real vet without a subscription. .

About: Chewy’s Connect With a Vet service provides instant access to chat with a licensed pup provider or video calls that are scheduled at your convenience. Available as an on-demand service with no subscription, it’s a win for filling in the blanks when your regular vet isn’t available.

• Free for autoship customers
• $14.99 per chat session or $19.99 per 20-minute video call for non-autoship customers
• Access a vet 365 days a year between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET, including holidays
• Can be instantly directed to suggested solutions on Chewy
• Nutritional and behavioral advice also offered
• Extensive service hours available
• Free if you’re a autoship customer
• No subscription needed
• Not available outside the lower 48
• Cannot prescribe medications

5. Fuzzy Health

Fuzzy Health

A subscription-based veterinary service providing 24/7 access to pet health advice via chat or video..

About:  Fuzzy Health offers 24/7 virtual vet coverage, including chat and video sessions. Choose between an annual membership for a fee of $79 or a monthly fee of $24.99, and enjoy a host of benefits, including free shipping on vet-approved products.

• Vet-selected pet products offered at a discounted rate
• At-home stool and urine tests available
• All household pets are covered by one membership
• Free 7-day trial available
• Choose between annual and monthly plans 
• Free trial allows you to try the service before committing
• Can refill existing prescriptions
• Only covers dogs weighing between 5 and 132 pounds
• Cannot diagnose illness or prescribe medication

A handy app linking you to your current veterinarian for virtual visits, follow-up care, and questions.

About: TeleVet is a service that brings your vet home with a client-friendly app featuring scheduling, consultations, and more. Your vet needs to subscribe to Televet for the service to work, however, so not every clinic uses it.

• Schedule virtual follow-ups and request consultations
• Work with your current veterinarian for remote care
• Chat, call, and video formats available 
• Share photos and videos of your pup for your vet to review
• Provides virtual access to your current vet
• Easy-to-use app interface
• No subscription fees (just your vet’s appointment fee)
• Doesn’t offer 24/7 access like other virtual providers
• Not every vet is on the platform

7. Virtuwoof

An app-based service offering virtual veterinary care with participating pet healthcare providers.

About: Virtuwoof lets you connect with your vet from the comfort of your living room using its on-demand app. If your vet isn’t available, you can still connect with an Ask Virtuwoof Vet for trusted advice.

• Fees listed upfront for every vet
• Pay-as-you-go design with no subscription necessary
• Chat and live-video formats available
• Virtuwoof donates a portion of profits to animal shelters and vet education programs
• Lets your work with your vet on-the-go
• The app is simple and easy-to-navigate
• No ongoing subscription required
• Not every vet participates in the network
• Ask Virtuwoof Vet can only offer advice; they can’t provide a diagnosis

A telemedicine and tele-triage provider offering subscription-based care for up to five pets per membership.

About: Dutch has your pack’s back with unlimited vet chats and follow-ups, including video calls, for a monthly fee. Covering up to five pets per membership, it offers epic savings for everyday canine concerns. 

• Covers dogs and cats (perfect for multi-species households!)
• Pup plans start at $25 monthly, with annual plans also available for cost savings
• Offers online pet prescription services to permitted states with free shipping
• No restrictions on pets with pre-existing conditions
• Significant savings for multi-pet families
• Unlimited vet chats offer peace of mind
• Free shipping on medications
• Does not accept pet insurance 
• Not 24/7 like some other providers
• Subscription services aren’t everyone’s cup of tea

9. Hello Ralphie 

Hello Ralphie

An on-demand provider of remote veterinary care (and sometimes prescriptions) beginning at just $35 per appointment..

About: Hello Ralphie offers on-demand virtual vet appointments ranging from $35 to $55 per visit with no subscription necessary. Just log on, pick the appointment time that works for you, and get ready to chat.

• Choose between single appointments and cost-saving bundles
• Advice-only and advice-plus-prescription appointments available (where permitted)
• Some pet insurance companies provide reimbursement for appointments
• Schedule on the site or via Hello Ralphie’s app
• Excellent pricing and cost-saving bundles 
• Pet parents love the easy-to-use nature 
• Bundles expire after a year unless more are purchased
• An account is needed to view pricing

10. PetDesk

An app connecting you to your vet at home and empowering you to make appointments, request preventatives, and more.

About: PetDesk provides a virtual vet connection and stores all your dog’s information in one place, saving time and confusion. Opt for a video visit with your vet, or simply manage his care schedule on the user-pleasing app.

• Schedule virtual and in-person appointments with your vet
• Set medication reminders
• Can order parasite preventatives in-app
• App is free for pet parents (just pay your vet’s designated virtual appointment fee)
• Stores all your pup’s info in one place
• Owners praise the app’s intuitive design
• Lets you keep your own vet for care
• No subscription or signup fees
• Your vet may not use PetDesk 
• Some clinics don’t run as smoothly as others

11. whiskerDocs

whiskerDocs

A virtual vet provider offering pay-per services and budget-friendly subscriptions with chat, email, and phone support..

About: If you’re looking for care format choices, check out whiskerDocs , a service offering virtual veterinary support 24/7 via on-demand phone, chat, and email. Its single-use chat, email, and phone options are ideal if you’re not looking for a virtual canine care commitment.

• Pay-per email ($4.99), chat ($39.99), or call ($39.99) 
• Monthly ($16.99) and annual membership ($129.99) options also availabl
• Responds to calls within 45 seconds, live chat within 30 seconds, and email within 2 hours
• Owners always speak to a licensed vet or vet tech for pet care advice 
• Several service options to choose from
• Subscriptions are pretty affordable
• Response times are impressive
• No medications or diagnostics offered 
• Only allow one pet per subscription
• À la carte options are pretty pricey

A virtual vet provider dishing out the best four-footer advice for pet parents at lightning-fast speeds.

About: AskVet has your back 24/7 with one-on-one pupper guidance, covering everything from behavior to preventative care. Using chat, you can navigate a multitude of pupper concerns and make the best choices for your fur kid with a licensed vet for only $29.99 a month.

• App-based program available for Android and iOS devices
• Accruable $1000 coverage for eligible emergencies
• Free smartphone-scannable pet ID tag with every membership
• Comprehensive intake questions help narrow down your doggo’s needs 
• Excellent choice for newbie dog owners
• Affordably priced
• Pet ID is a great (and free!) extra
• While they offer an emergency fund, it’s capped at $1,000
• No telemedicine offered

13. Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan

Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan

A virtual arm of banfield’s brick-and-mortar offices found in most u.s. states offering a hybrid model of care..

About: Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plan covers two virtual visits a year in addition to unlimited in-person exams at any of its nationwide facilities with a monthly fee. Pricing varies by doggo, with a medium-sized dog clocking in between $40 and $70 a month.

• Setup virtual visits with your local Banfield vet
• Vet Chat™ lets you upload a video of your pet for vet review and feedback 24/7
• Comes with phone coaching for canine nutrition
• Wellness plans offer coverage for everyday dog needs, including vaccinations 
• Banfield locations are found in most U.S. states
• Hybrid nature appeals to many owners
• Packages allow for unlimited vet visits and chats 
• Limited to 2 virtual appointments a year
• Requires the purchase of Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plan

14. FirstVet

An app-based service offering two subscription plans with unlimited virtual visits in multiple countries.

About: FirstVet is a subscription service linking pet parents in several countries to unlimited video vet advice. Best of all, it’s offered at an affordable price, starting at $65. 

• 6-month and yearly memberships available
• Prescription service available in NJ and NY
• Simple app-based format
• Virtual visits available 24/7, 365 days a year
• Offers unlimited virtual visits in multiple countries
• Very affordably priced
• User-friendly setup a win with dog parents
• Subscriptions aren’t a favorite for everyone
• Prescription service limited to 2 states

Telemedicing vs Tele-Triage: What’s the Difference?

There are a lot of tele- terms floating around virtual vetting, with the two most commonly used being telemedicine and tele-triage.

So, what’s what? 

Tele medicine involves remotely treating and offering advice for animal patients, while tele- triage services help owners decide if seeking in-person vet care at a local facility is warranted. 

Telemedicine is great for addressing run-of-the-mill pup problems during travel or when your vet is closed. This means things like minor tummy upsets or itchy skin. 

On the other hand, tele-triage services are invaluable for determining if your dog’s symptoms warrant an emergency vet visit, potentially saving heaps of money and even your dog’s life. This would be useful in cases such as dietary indiscretions, which may or may not be dangerous. 

Need more clarity? Here are two hypothetical scenarios:

• Telemedicine Scenario : You’re on vacation, and your four-footer experiences diarrhea during your evening walk. It’s nothing severe, but you’re away from your regular vet and need advice about settling his tummy. A telemedicine call with a vet can help. 
• Tele-triage Scenario : Your dog is vomiting and hunched in pain. You don’t know whether this is another case of sour stomach or a life-threatening bloat incident. Using tele-triage, a licensed vet can evaluate your pup’s symptoms and advise if emergency care is necessary.

Learn more about veterinarians: 32 Fascinating Veterinary Statistics !

Virtual Vet Visit FAQ

Virtual vet visits have grown in popularity in recent years, but you might still have some questions about them. Check out these most commonly asked questions and get the scoop.

Can online vets write prescriptions?

Maybe . Laws surrounding the vet-client-patient relationship (VCPR) vary state to state, with some requiring an in-person appointment before prescribing medication while others deem a virtual visit adequate for meeting VCPR requirements. Always read a service’s fine print before signing up to ensure you get the level of care you seek. See our full list of places where you can get a vet perscription online here for more details!

Are online vets real?

Yes, online vets must be licensed just like traditional vets in brick-and-mortar establishments. As long as you’re using a reputable service with listed credentials, you can trust that you’re talking to a real vet. Some services can even connect you with your own vet as long as they’re in the network.

Note that some online veterinary sites delegate triage services to vet techs. While techs are still trusted pet professionals, some pet parents prefer a vet. Other providers use vague “pet professional” labels on those giving behavioral and nutrition advice, so always sniff around to ensure they’re legit.

What is AskVet?

AskVet is a one-stop solution for canine care, offering the answers to everyday problems surrounding diet, exercise, behavior, and more. There’s also triaging, where a vet tech and vet work together to determine if your dog’s symptoms warrant an in-person exam at your vet or local emergency clinic. It’s a nice helping hand for those less experienced with dogs.

Who is the best virtual vet?

The best virtual vet is one that works for you and your dog’s needs. Are you seeking advice on whether to head to an in-person exam or emergency clinic? A tele-triage service would be a good fit. Looking for a remote video visit with possible diagnostics and prescribed medication? Opt for telemedicine, provided you are in a location where medication can be prescribed via virtual VCPR.

Once you’ve established the type of provider, you can move on to things like membership requirements, hours of service, and more. A 24/7 provider is great for any owner, as medical issues almost sense your vet’s closing hour. We’d also recommend those offering cost-saving solutions, such as unlimited video calls and multiple pets per membership. Save those pupper pennies for something fun.

How much does a virtual vet cost?

Appointment fees for a virtual vet visit are often less expensive than in-person exams , ranging from $50 to $100. There may be additional fees, including medication costs, as with traditional care. That said, always read the fine print before using any service, as hidden costs can slip in and lead to a pricey surprise.

How do online vet visits work?

Online vet visits mirror traditional vet visits in many ways but also differ. Some offer self-scheduling services where you select the best time for you rather than calling in and scheduling with someone. The provider will likely call you via video call at the time of your visit, as most virtual vet visits are video in nature, allowing the vet to examine your dog’s behavior and appearance. 

How do I know if my pet needs to see a vet?

Anytime there is a change in your dog’s behavior or his eating, drinking, or bathroom habits, it’s time to head to the vet for a sick visit. A mild case of vomiting or diarrhea can possibly be treated via virtual exam with a licensed veterinarian. By contrast, severe symptoms or any problems in medically sensitive dogs such as puppies, seniors, and those with preexisting conditions should be tended to by an in-person vet. Your dog should also see an in-person vet for injuries, seizures, and breathing issues.

Have you tried any of the virtual vets on our list? Did another wow you and your woofer? Share with us in the comments. We’d love to hear!

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What to Expect From an Online Vet Visit

It is 6:00 pm and you come home from work to find a house full of dog diarrhea. Your dog will not eat her food, but she otherwise seems happy and normal. Should you worry about her eating? Unfortunately, your veterinarian’s office closed 30 minutes ago, so calling them isn’t an option.

Or perhaps your kitten was recently spayed, and you’re concerned that the surgical wound looks red and maybe infected. The problem is that it’s a Sunday afternoon, and your veterinarian’s office is closed except for emergencies, and you’re not sure if this is an actual emergency. 

Or maybe you just want to know which flea and tick medication is the right one, but it’s not worth scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian to ask a simple question.

What can you do? In all of these situations, there is an increasingly popular option: searching for an online vet to talk to. Just like in human medicine, veterinarians are increasingly available online to answer questions, triage (evaluate urgency), and give health and wellness advice.

But there are also some big differences from human telemedicine in terms of what services online veterinarians can legally provide. Here are some important things to know about online vet services so you can get the most from your chat.

How Online Vet Services Work

Services that provide online veterinary help may be free, or they may be part of a membership or subscription plan, like Chewy’s Connect With a Vet .

Depending on the service, you can talk to licensed veterinarians through chat, a phone call, email, or a video call. Online veterinarians are a great resource for certain non-emergency situations and general health questions.

Some of the pros of working with an online veterinarian include:

More convenient hours and easier access to a veterinarian from home.

Veterinarians can help determine how urgent your pet’s problem is, give general medical advice, and answer general health or product questions.

Faster response time.

May not need to leave home if your pet does not need a physical exam, testing, or treatment.

Free or low-cost feedback from a licensed veterinarian.

Generally less stressful for your pet than an in-person visit.

Allows you to better know what to expect if an in-person visit is needed.

However, to get the most from the experience, there are a few points to keep in mind:

Online veterinarians legally cannot diagnose or prescribe medications, because a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) has not been established.

Technical issues like slow Internet speeds or dropped calls may interrupt or impact your ability to communicate with the veterinarian.

It may be difficult to communicate what is going on with your pet accurately without an in-person physical exam, so it’s a good idea to be as prepared as possible.

Why Can’t Online Vets Write Prescriptions?

In my time working as an online veterinarian, I can tell you that one common question we hear is whether we can write prescriptions for the pets we see online. While it would be convenient for pet parents, online veterinarians can’t legally write prescriptions. This is because there is no VCPR with an online veterinarian.

The VCPR, or veterinary-client-patient relationship, is a special type of relationship formed between a  veterinarian, a pet parent (the client), and their pet (the patient). Most states require a veterinarian to examine a pet in person to establish a VCPR.

This helps ensure that a veterinarian is familiar enough with your pet’s current and past medical history to diagnose and treat any medical concerns, and that you can ask questions and understand the diagnosis and treatment options recommended by the veterinarian.

What Can You Use an Online Vet Service For?

Even without the ability to prescribe, there are still many benefits to talking with an online vet.

Getting General Pet Health Info

Communicating with an online veterinarian is a convenient way to get general health advice for your pets. You can ask questions about nutrition, health, grooming, parasite prevention, behavior, and more, and you can trust the information you receive from a licensed veterinarian.

For example, as an online telehealth and teletriage veterinarian, I commonly get questions about the best diet for a growing puppy or the most effective heartworm prevention. I love getting questions like this because it shows how much pet parents love their pets, and how much they care about keeping them happy and healthy.

It is great to have the time to discuss the pros and cons of different products, and after the conversation, I can send helpful article and product recommendation links, which makes it much easier for the pet parent to review again later.

Triage: Finding Out When Something Is an Emergency

Triage is another area where online veterinarians can be very helpful. Teletriage involves determining whether a situation is an emergency that needs immediate attention, or if it can wait until it’s more convenient to get help.

For example, questions about vomiting and diarrhea are very common. Vomiting and diarrhea can indicate anything from some mild stomach upset from eating too many treats, to severe illness like parvovirus, kidney failure, or toxicity.

As a pet parent, it is very hard to know how serious these symptoms can be. Veterinarians are trained to evaluate the urgency of a situation. An online veterinarian can interpret your pet’s symptoms and medical history and inform you whether your dog needs to be seen right away by an emergency veterinarian, or whether it can wait until your regular veterinarian’s office is open.

Getting a Second Opinion

Getting a second opinion often brings peace of mind to pet parents who want more information about their pet’s health.

When getting an opinion from an online veterinarian, however, keep in mind that we cannot truly give an educated second opinion without examining the pet, and we don’t have access to the x-rays, test results, and exam details that pertain to your pet’s condition. Additional testing may be needed as well.

Instead, an online veterinarian may be able to give suggestions on other tests or treatments, and can help educate you about the initial diagnosis.

Asking About Follow-Up Concerns

Follow-up is an important part of pet parenting. As veterinarians, we are often asked about next steps for pets that have been treated for an illness or are recovering from surgery. In this circumstance, we can help give you some peace of mind by looking at photos of surgical incisions or healing skin and letting you know whether it looks like it is healing as expected or not.

However, this consultation is not the same as a true follow-up visit with your veterinarian. It does not replace an in-person recheck with the veterinarian that treated the pet, so you should always keep your recheck and follow-up appointments.

I have assured several worried pet parents that their dog’s spay or neuter incisions appear to be healing as expected, but I’ve also counseled pet parents to seek medical attention ASAP if I fear that an incision could be infected.

General Info on Preventative Care

Online veterinarians are excellent resources for advice on preventative care. One common example is discussing flea, tick, and heartworm prevention with pet parents.

There are so many different parasite prevention products out there that it can be very difficult to know which kill adult fleas short-term vs. preventing fleas all month.

Some products, like Simparica Trio , cover multiple types of parasites and may be the only product needed, while others, like Heartgard , are very effective, but do not protect against fleas or ticks, so they must be paired with another product like NexGard or Bravecto for full coverage.

On top of that, it can be difficult to know how to apply certain topical flea and tick medications, as some tubes open by pushing down the cap, and others twist off, etc.

While you should always talk to your veterinarian about which products may be best for your particular pet based on their age, breed, and medical history, online veterinarians can help via education, product suggestions, and online resources.

Online Vet Chat vs. Video Consultation

In recent years, more online veterinary services, including Connect With a Vet, are offering video televisits as well as chat or text-based conversations. Chats are great for pet parents who don’t have access to video conferencing tools, and they can provide a lot of helpful information.

However, a video visit opens more possibilities. Video visits allow you to make a more authentic connection with the veterinarian. 

Being able to see a pet’s respiratory rate, gum color, eyes/ears, hair/coat quality, gait, skin injuries, etc., allows the veterinarian to get a better idea of a patient’s status. Video also allows immediate feedback with both verbal and nonverbal cues, as opposed to having to wait for someone to type a response.

What to Expect in an Online Vet Consultation

To get the most from your online veterinarian, be prepared to offer much more description than you would during an in-person appointment. Because we cannot do a hands-on exam, and our patients can’t tell us what hurts, we rely on you to let us know what has changed. This means the more thorough you can be, including providing pictures, the more helpful we can be.

What questions will the veterinarian ask?

The online veterinarian will likely ask similar questions as your regular veterinarian. You might be asked to describe your concern, whether your cat is acting normally, eating and drinking well, whether there has been recent vomiting or diarrhea , and if she is on any medications or has any known medical conditions.

The veterinarian can then tailor the questions as needed depending on the individual case.

What resources will an online veterinarian give you?

The information and resources given by the veterinarian may depend on the type of service you are using. A service in which you ask a single question, like a forum, and the veterinarian gives a single answer, is more limited, whereas other services enable the veterinarian to share relevant articles, give product recommendations, and even to help find veterinary clinics in a pet parent’s location.

For example, if a dog suffers from severe allergies and chronic skin infections, an online veterinarian might send links to informative articles about common skin conditions in dogs , links to products such as a soothing oatmeal shampoo and omega-3 skin supplements, and information for a local, board-certified veterinary dermatologist, as this dog likely needs specialized care.

When Should You Take Your Pet to the See the Veterinarian?

Online veterinarians can do a good job helping ease worry and stress for pet parents who are concerned that something is wrong with their pet. However, there are still many cases when it’s important to seek out in-person veterinarian care, including emergencies.

Below are some of the conditions that should trigger a visit to your veterinarian’s office.

Vomiting/Diarrhea/Not Eating for More Than 24 Hours

After 24 hours of vomiting or having diarrhea, dehydration is a serious concern, and the list of possible causes of these symptoms is a mile long.

It is necessary for your pet to have a physical exam so the veterinarian can check their vital signs, evaluate abdominal pain, and perform diagnostics. With these symptoms, x-rays and lab tests like bloodwork, urinalysis, and fecal analysis may be recommended.

Example: A dog swallowed a sock two days ago and now vomits after eating any food.

This dog may have a foreign body obstruction (the sock is stuck) of its intestine, which is considered an emergency. Waiting can be fatal, and surgery is often necessary.

In a case like this, with known ingestion of foreign material, a veterinarian will likely recommend x-rays of the abdomen to check for evidence of intestinal blockage, and bloodwork to evaluate the dog’s hydration and electrolyte status.

Traumatic Injury

A pet should always be seen in person after a traumatic injury, because internal damage can be much worse than it appears externally. Trauma to the eyes should always be evaluated in person, as vision can be lost abruptly, and eye injuries become serious quickly.

Example: A dog escaped from the backyard for two hours and came home limping and holding up a paw. The dog has road rash, indicating that it may have been hit by a car.

Although this dog doesn’t have any severe external injuries, impact with a car can cause serious internal damage, which may be fatal. It is vital that this dog be evaluated by a veterinarian in person to ensure that they have stable vitals. An x-ray or ultrasound may also be needed to check for internal organ damage and/or bleeding.

Bleeding or Open Wound

Infection and blood loss are both risks for animals with bleeding or open wounds. An online veterinarian cannot disinfect, evaluate, and treat a wound or blood loss through the computer.

Dogs with open wounds will often require antibiotics and pain medication and may require surgery as well. This is something that should be addressed promptly, as at-home care may make it worse.

Neurological Conditions Such as Seizures or Paralysis

Any evidence of seizures, abrupt changes in your pet’s mental activity, inability to move one or multiple limbs, or signs of other neurological issues, like a head tilt and circling, should be treated as an emergency.

A hands-on neurological evaluation of your pet is necessary when it comes to localizing where in the nervous system the issue may be.

Seizures that last longer than a few minutes or occur more than once in a day can lead to permanent neurological damage. Paralysis can indicate serious issues with the spinal cord and can be permanent if not addressed quickly.

Example: A Dachshund jumped off the couch, which the pet does every day, but this time, they yelped and began dragging their back legs.

Dachshunds are very prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) , which can result in injury to the spinal cord and paralysis. This should be treated as an emergency, as the ability to walk may be regained with appropriate treatment.

An x-ray with or without other advanced imaging like a CT/MRI may be recommended, and if a herniated disc is identified, surgery may be the next step. These dogs are in a lot of pain, and if seen by a veterinarian promptly, this pain can be managed with injectable medications.

Having Trouble Breathing

Dyspnea, or when a pet has trouble breathing, is serious and should always be addressed immediately.

Signs of dyspnea in a dog include:

An outstretched neck

A fast, shallow respiratory rate

Increased effort from the abdominal muscles to take a breath

Often, lethargy or collapse

In cats, dyspnea may present as:

Open-mouth breathing

A rapid, shallow respiratory rate

This indicates that thepet is not getting enough oxygen.

Example: A cat has known heart disease but has not shown symptoms of congestive heart failure . Today, the cat started breathing with their mouth open and seemed distressed.

This cat may be in congestive heart failure and should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Cats in respiratory distress can worsen quickly, and it is important that they be seen in person so that the veterinarian can administer oxygen and medications as needed to improve their ability to breathe.

Featured Image: iStock.com/Sviatlana Barchan

Veterinarian

Dr. Ellen Malmanger is originally from Arkansas, but attended Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine for veterinary school....

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• Hunting with Dogs

How To Keep Your New Puppy From Needing An Emergency Vet Visit

General veterinary visits aren’t cheap. The annual checkups, blood work, vaccinations, and whatever else can add up. While it’s fun to gripe about services that seem expensive, the usual stuff is a small price to pay to keep a pup healthy .

Emergency veterinarian visits are a different story. If you have a real injury to deal with, or something goes wrong at midnight and there’s only one clinic in town that accepts overnight patients, you’re going to pay for it.

Expense is obviously not the only reason to try to keep a pup out of the vet’s office. No one wants to pick up a fresh recruit and watch it suddenly get hurt, poisoned, or worse. Our job as dog owners is to keep them safe and anticipate potential dangers.

When it comes to puppies, we often focus on the obvious dangers like traffic, falling into deep water , or jumping off of the tailgate of a truck and breaking its landing gear. While the world can be a harsh place for puppies, it’s often the things we don’t anticipate or don’t recognize as dangers that can alter the course of a young dog’s life. One of these is something that owners encourage all of the time, but they shouldn’t.

Dog’s Don’t Say Hi

Whether you take your pup out to the local park to socialize it or show it off, remember this one thing—your dog does not need to meet other dogs. People think this is universally a good thing and that it’s cute as hell. It can be, but it’s also true that puppies have the manners and social acumen of a methed-up hillbilly .

Their favorite move is to jump up on other dogs’ heads, or bite jowls, ears, or whatever they can get their teeth on. Most dogs will correct them with a nip or remove themselves from a pup’s orbit. Some dogs, often big males but not always, will do worse.

An adult dog that corrects a puppy might do so verbally, or it might take action. If it takes action, the odds of your pup taking a tooth to the eye or needing some stitches increase in an instant. It’s just not worth it. Socialize your dog with people so they learn manners, but be very cautious of strange dogs. The pup meet-up is almost always a net-neutral to net-negative experience.

Adorable Garbage Disposals

Not all dogs are food-driven , but most are when they’re puppies. They experience their world through their mouths, and anything remotely edible has the chance to go down the gullet. When this happened to one of my Labs about a decade ago, a pound of raisins disappeared into an animal that most definitely shouldn’t eat raisins.

It cost me over a grand in veterinary fees to get her over that hurdle, and it was worth it. It was also avoidable. The more free roaming time your pup has, the more likely it’ll be to get into something. This might be some type of people food that is toxic to them, or it might be a cord to a lamp. While it’s fun to try to grant a young dog more independence, this comes with the risk that they’ll do something really stupid with it.

Crate training is a great way to prevent a puppy from getting into trouble. It allows you to keep them in a safe, comfortable environment when you can’t give them your undivided attention.

Hot Pup-Tato

It might not seem like much, but a drop of two feet with a 10-week-old puppy is no joke. This is also about the height at which a lot of kids will hold a new puppy. A little nip from sharp puppy teeth or just a little too much wriggling to get away, and a kid will drop a pup fast.

If they’re playing in the grass, it’s usually not a big deal. But a drop of even a foot or two on concrete or gravel can result in a real injury. This is far more common than a lot of potential dog owners realize.

Avoid this by having anyone who you don’t trust fully to hold onto your pup to sit down, and then hand them the dog. Not only will this prevent a potential dropping scenario, but it also teaches the puppy that people will come down to its level instead of it having to jump up to theirs.

For more dog training info, check out these articles: How To Keep Your Pup Off The Naughty List , Dog Genetics: Pick A Litter, Not A Pup , and Why Your Bird Dog Sucked Last Season .

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Worried dog welcomes his beagle sister after she came back from vet

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The last few months are not lucky for our beagle Lilly. She had to go through a lot of pain and fear because of her health condition. Fortunately, She doesn't need another surgery and she has the best brother in the world. We all love her to the moon and back, but I can tell that Beagle Charlie loves her the most.Comments on our channel are disabled by Youtube, to share your opinion with us please visit our community section!#charliethebeagle #beagle #cutedogs

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Caribbean animal health specialists visit K-State for workshop on African swine fever mitigation

A group 60 animal health specialists representing different countries in the Caribbean visit K-State as part of a four-day workshop on controling the spread African swine fever. On the second day, seminars were presented at the Biosecurity Research Institute. Dr. Jishu Shi (far left), director of the Center on Biologics Development and Evaluation at Kansas State University, was the lead organizer for the workshop.

The Center on Biologics Development and Evaluation at Kansas State University recently hosted a special group of visitors for the 2024 African Swine Fever (ASF) Workshop for the Caribbean.

“We welcomed more than 60 participants from 28 countries who attended the African swine fever workshop, including 40 veterinarians, chief veterinary officers and technical officers from 20 Caribbean countries,” said Dr. Jishu Shi, director of the center and professor of vaccine immunology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. “The primary goal of this workshop is to establish a sustainable platform that effectively enhances African swine fever surveillance capacity across the Americas.”

Antoinette Lona, left, explains some of the procedures that can be performed in the histology department of the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Activities in the workshop, which was held from June 24 to 28, included updates on African swine fever virus research, hands-on training of diagnostic tests and training on how to use the “Lateral Flow ASF Dx” kit and a seminar on science-based rapid response options for the prevention and control of African swine fever. Participants were given tours of the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Biosecurity Research Institute and K-State Olathe.

Researchers in the College of Veterinary Medicine gave several presentations including Dr. Shi, Laura Miller, Stephen Higgs, Roman Pogranichniy, Lihua Wang, Rachel Madera and Lance Noll.

K-State's Dr. Lihua Wang (in white coat) explains the process for performing molecular diagnostic assays to detect African swine fever.

Guest presenters included Dr. Linda Dixon, Pirbright Institute, UK; Dr. Eun-Ju Sohn, BioApp, South Korea; Dr. Llilianne Ganges, Animal Health Research Center at the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, or CReSA-IRTA, Spain; Dr. Quang Lam Truong, Vietnam National University of Agriculture; Dr. Homer Pantua, BioAssets Corporation, Philippines; Dr. Dang Vu Hoang, National Institute of Veterinary Research, Vietnam; and Dr. To Long Thanh, Vietnam National University of Agriculture.

Dr. Linda Dixon, g roup leader with the Pirbright Institute in the UK, gives a keynote presentation on surveillance and control of African swine fever.

Co-organizers of the workshop included Dr. Beth Montelone, senior associate vice president for research at Kansas State University; Zackery Tipton, program manager with USDA Foreign Agriculture Service, Eric Coleman, program policy adviser, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; and Ericka Calderon, specialist with Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

“We are deeply grateful for the partnership and support from USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, K-State Olathe, Biosecurity Research Institute and KSVDL,” Dr. Shi said.

About the CBDE

The Center on Biologics Development and Evaluation (CBDE) at Kansas State University is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge services to our worldwide partners and clients across four key areas: A) Advancing bioprocess development for the commercialization of veterinary biologics; B) Offering contract manufacturing services for autogenous vaccines tailored for food animals; C) Conducting rigorous safety and efficacy evaluations of veterinary biologics; and D) Establishing a sustainable platform for international collaboration aimed at preventing and controlling transboundary animal diseases.

Dr. Steve Ensley, toxicologist with the KSVDL, leads a tour through part of the KSVDL and Veterinary Health Center, including this lab for clinical skills instruction involving large animals.

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Can Virtual Vets Write Prescriptions for My Pet?

Table of Contents

Veterinary Telemedicine vs Online Tele-triage Services Can Virtual Vets Write Prescriptions for Your Pet? Can Online Vets From Telehealth Services Write Prescriptions for Pets? Types of Questions a Veterinarian Will Ask Before They Can Write a Prescription FAQs

Online veterinary consultations have never been more popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. More and more pet parents and veterinary clinics are taking advantage of this remote way of working and have realized it offers many other advantages in addition to social distancing. But what about prescriptions? Can they still be issued after a virtual veterinarian visit? Let’s find out.

Key Takeaways:

• During a virtual veterinary appointment, it is possible for your personal veterinarian to provide a prescription for medication for your beloved animal.
• However, virtual vets from online tele-triage or telehealth services cannot legally issue a prescription for medication.
• There are some circumstances where the pet needs to be examined in person or undergo additional tests before the vet can write a prescription.

Veterinary Telemedicine vs Online Tele-triage Services

These two different online veterinary services can sound similar but are actually quite different in what they offer.

Veterinary Telemedicine

Veterinary telemedicine is a virtual vet visit with your regular veterinarian, and offers remote consultations either over the telephone, virtual messaging, or video link. Many clinics have their own platforms that enable this, and some are more advanced than others.

You would typically book a virtual veterinarian visit in the same way that you would an in-person appointment. You will be given an approximate time and will usually be told to allow some leeway. You (and usually your pet!) will then need to be available between these times for your veterinarian to call you. Virtual vet visits are often more useful in these circumstances as your veterinarian can actually see your pet. This is particularly important if the problem is a visual one.

If you have booked a video consultation with your veterinarian, you will need to make sure that your pet is close by, so keep the cat flap locked, and ensure that someone else doesn’t take the dog out for a walk!

Online Tele-triage (Telehealth Services)

Online tele-triage and telehealth services are virtual appointment that can be booked with a veterinarian anywhere, even if they never have seen your pet before. This type of virtual pet care service is often used to provide general veterinary advice and online veterinarians can help you decide how urgently your pet needs to be seen by your regular veterinarian. They can often provide some reassurance should you need to wait a few days for an in-person appointment.

Virtual Vet Visits for Your Peace of Mind

Connect with an online vet from the comfort of your home. Convenient, affordable, and stress-free!

Can Virtual Vets Write Prescriptions for Your Pet?

Yes. Your own veterinarian is able to issue a prescription for medication for your pet during a virtual vet visit. This is because your pet is ‘under their care’, i.e., they have seen your pet in person previously and they have access to your pet’s full medical history. They are usually only able to prescribe if your pet has been seen by their practice within the last 12 months, although for certain medications, this timeframe might be reduced.

Sometimes, even if your veterinarian has seen your pet recently, they might request an in-person consultation before issuing a prescription. This is because some health conditions can only be diagnosed once your pet has had a clinical examination by a veterinarian. Some medications might be dangerous to use if certain conditions aren’t otherwise ruled out, and sometimes this can only be done in person. Your pet also might need further tests such as blood tests or X-rays before any medication can be issued.

Bear in mind that your veterinarian has a duty of care to you and your pet and will not issue a prescription after an online vet consultation if they do not feel it is safe or appropriate to do so. There are  certain criteria , set by the governing bodies of the veterinary profession, that need to be met before medication prescriptions can be issued by your veterinarian.

Can Online Vets From Telehealth Services Write Prescriptions for Pets?

Virtual vets from online tele-triage or telehealth services cannot legally issue your pet a prescription for medication. A telehealth consultation can be provided, even if the veterinarian has never have examined your pet in person and does not have access to their medical history. This means that they cannot deem your pet as ‘under their care’. They can only offer general advice and help to determine how soon your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian in person.

Types of Questions a Veterinarian Will Ask Before They Can Write a Prescription

Even if your veterinarian has seen your pet recently, there are several questions that they might ask and information they require before they can write you a prescription. These might include:

• How long ago the problem started
• How your pet is generally and what their energy levels are like
• If you have noticed any differences in their behavior
• Whether there are any changes in their eating or drinking habits
• If your pet has had any vomiting or diarrhea
• If there have been any recent changes to their routine or to their environment
• Whether they are currently receiving any medications or supplements

They might also ask for videos if your pet is showing a particular behavior, especially if they are not displaying it all of the time. Videos and photographs can be very helpful for your veterinarian to diagnose the problem so try and have these to hand at the time of your online vet appointment.

Virtual veterinarian visits can be very useful and have many advantages for both you and your pet. If you are having an online telemedicine visit, they may be able to write your pet a prescription without seeing them in person. However, there are some circumstances where they will need to examine your pet in person or perform additional tests, before writing your pet a prescription. Online telehealth and tele-triage vets that have never met your pet before cannot legally write prescriptions for medication, but can offer general advice. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a vet prescribe medication without seeing the patient.

No. A veterinarian will prescribe medication to patients after an initial visit. If the patient has already been seen by the veterinarian, prescriptions can be made in-person or virtually through a telemedicine appointment.

How long does my vet need to have seen my pet before they can write a prescription?

This depends on the individual pet, what the problem is, and what type of medication they require. It is usually between 6-12 months but could be reduced depending on these different factors.

Why can’t online vets write a prescription for my pet?

It is a legal requirement to have examined a pet in person before a prescription for medication can be written. Online vets also do not have access to your pet’s medical history and therefore prescribing medication could be dangerous. This is because they could be unaware of previous adverse reactions to certain types of medication, ongoing health conditions, or medication that your pet is currently receiving.

Written by Dr. Joshua Montgomery

Medically reviewed by Laura Fontana, DVM

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