Dogs
Vetster is the best online veterinarian with a marketplace-based approach
By
Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim
Ashley is a product reviewer who is passionate about writing service-focused content that brings joy into people's lives. From home decor to pets, she loves to cover everything lifestyle. Her over 10 years of experience has included writing for TIME, AOL, and Fundera.
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Updated on 04/15/23
Reviewed by
Nelva J. Bryant
Reviewed byNelva J. Bryant
Dr. Nelva Bryant, DVM, is a highly accomplished veterinarian with three decades of professional experience in animal welfare, public health, and zoonotic diseases. She has worked with airlines and the Centers for Disease Control to improve pet travel through veterinary oversight.Dr. Bryant is a Veterinary Review Board Member for The Spruce Pets.
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Fact checked by
Nadia Baloch
Fact checked byNadia Baloch
Nadia Baloch is a fact checker, researcher, and writer with a background in psychology.She has worked for Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley as a research assistant. Nadia has fact checked for The Spruce Pets since 2021, reviewing articles about pet care and health for factual accuracy and consistency.
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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 Online Veterinarians of 2023 Vetster uses a marketplace-based approach to virtually connect you with vet care professionals in your area. Pros Ability to choose between vets and vet techs Emphasis on finding medical professionals near you Profiles and review systems add confidence Cons 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 Pet Hospital is an established veterinary care provider with over 1,000 locations across the country. Pros 24/7 vet access Well-designed app Continuity between in-person and digital experiences Cons 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. 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. Pros More affordable than other telehealth services Often publishes questions asked by users (with responses from vets) Available as an app Cons 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. Hello Ralphie is a great, app-based platform for veterinary telehealth that also has an extensive online prescription service. Pros Ability to make an appointment for prescription or just advice Saves vet chats and records for added continuity Can fill prescriptions through the same service Cons Must read the fine print for prescription appointments It’s no secret that services like 1-800-PetMeds are a great way of fulfilling your pet’s prescriptions online. Hello Ralphie combines the convenience of an online vet pharmacy with telemedicine, making it easy to pair your next remote visit with a medication order. Appointments can be scheduled online or through the Hello Ralphie app. Your conversation and medical records will be stored for future reference. One thing to be aware of is that the service draws a distinction between the terms “telehealth” and “telemedicine,” and only appointments falling under the latter category can include a prescription or diagnosis. Bear in mind also that not every state allows vets to perform telemedicine, so do your research before scheduling an appointment. whiskerDocs offers a convenient monthly subscription so you can have access to vet professionals anytime you need. Pros Offers a subscription service if you frequently need vet care Options for single visits without a subscription 24/7 access to a vet Cons 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. FAQ How much does a vet video visit cost? 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. Can I get pet prescriptions online? 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. What states allow online vet prescriptions? 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. How do I know if my pet needs to see a vet? 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. Is a virtual vet worth it? 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. We and our 100 partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique IDs in cookies to process personal data. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. Store and/or access information on a device. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. Best Overall: Vetster
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Best With Brick and Mortar: Banfield Vet Chat
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Best Affordable: PetCoach
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Best for Prescriptions: Hello Ralphie
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Best Subscription: whiskerDocs
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Final Verdict
Compare the Best Online Veterinarians
Veterinarian Services Unique Features Cost Best Overall: Vetster 24/7 on-demand vet appointments, prescription service (only available in some US states), wellness plan Curated collection of pet telehealth news and resources Starting at $50, but pricing will vary by vet and location. Best With Brick and Mortar: Banfield Vet Chat Virtual office visit, 24/7 live vet chat, nutritional coaching session Price estimator tool Wellness plans start at $36.95/month for dogs and $29.95/ month for cats Best Budget-Friendly Option: PetCoach Online consultation and expert forum Ask a Vet, educational center, healthy pet weight calculator $20 live chat consult; $5/question submitted to forum Best for Prescriptions: Hello Ralphie Online consultation, can fill prescriptions Chats with vets can be saved Appointments range from $35 to $55; buy a bundle and save option Best Subscription: whiskerDocs 24/7 chat, phone, and text messaging Health library $16.99/month or $129.99/year subscriptions; $39.99 call or live chat consultations; $4.99 email consultations Methodology
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