JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.- Pawp
- WhiskerDocs
- Chewy
- Dutch
- Airvet
- Vetster
- AskVet
- PetCoach
- How we selected the best online veterinarians
- FAQs
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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
- Type of consultation and availability: Chat and video chat, 24/7
- Subscription: $99/year
- On-demand consults: For members only
- Emergency fund: $3,000 which is available to clients with an additional $19/month fee
- Other perks: None
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.
WhiskerDocs
- Type of consultation and availability: Chat, phone, text messaging, email, and video, 24/7
- Subscription: $16.99/month or $129.99/year
- On-demand consults: For non-members, $39.99 for a live chat or phone call or $4.99 for an email
- Emergency fund: No
- Other perks: Health library
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.
Chewy
- Type of consultation and availability: Video call and chat available 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET
- Subscription: N/A
- On-demand consults: Free live chats for all Autoship customers in most states. Otherwise, $19.99/video call.
- Emergency fund: No
- Other perks: Over-the-counter medication and health and wellness products available, pharmacy available to fill prescriptions written by primary veterinarian
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
- Type of consultation and availability: Messaging through your account and video chat, 24/7
- Subscription: Plans start at $11/month or $132/year
- On-demand consults: For members only
- Emergency fund: No
- Other perks: Up to 5 pets may be treated on one membership
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
- Type of consultation and availability: Video call and chat available, 24/7
- Subscription: $35/month or $350/year
- On-demand consults: For non-members, $75 per video call
- Emergency fund: No
- Other perks: Can connect virtually with your primary vet if they are in network, one membership covers up to 6 pets
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
- Type of consultation and availability: Video call and chat available, 24/7
- Subscription: $19.99/month for a yearly subscription or $24.99 billed every 3 months
- On-demand consults: For non-members, $55 per appointment
- Emergency fund: No
- Other perks: Available for pet parents outside of the US
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
- Type of consultation and availability: Chat, 24/7
- Subscription: $9.99/month
- On-demand consults: For monthly subscribers only
- Emergency fund: No
- Other perks: Get help for an unlimited number of pets, including exotic pets
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
- Type of consultation and availability: Live chat and expert forum, 24/7
- Subscription: No
- On-demand consults: $20 live chat consult, $5 to submit a question to an expert forum
- Emergency fund: No
- Other perks: Health library
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.
How we selected the best online veterinarians
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.
Shoshi Parks Contributor Shoshi Parks is a contributor for Insider Reviews, where she tests and writes about products for dogs and cats. She is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and certified separation anxiety trainer (CSAT) with a decade of experience. She is the owner of Modern Hound Dog Training in California's Bay Area and a former instructor at the San Francisco SPCA. Shoshi also holds a doctorate in anthropology and writes about travel, history, and food for a variety of publications. Her work on pets and other topics has appeared at Rover, NPR, Smithsonian, Atlas Obscura, Afar, K9 of Mine, and elsewhere. Read more Read less Jackie Brown Freelance Writer Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet industry. Her expertise includes dog and cat health, care, nutrition, feeding, grooming, behavior, and training. Jackie writes regularly for pet and veterinary industry media, including Dogster and Catster magazines, The Spruce Pets, Great Pet Care and All About Cats. She is a contributing writer for "National Geographic's Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness" and author of the book "It's Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases." She is contributing editor of Dogster and Catster magazines, and the former editor of numerous pet magazines, including Dog World, Natural Dog, Puppies 101, Kittens 101, and the Popular Cats Series. Jackie earned her bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of California, Irvine. Prior to starting her career in publishing, she spent eight years working in veterinary hospitals where she assisted veterinarians as they treated dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles, birds, and one memorable lion cub. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and miniature poodle Jäger, who she grooms at home. Jackie can be reached at jackiebrownwriter.wordpress.com. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read less Sophia Carlisle Fellow Sophia Carlisle was a former Editorial Fellow on the Insider Reviews team, where she covered products for dogs and cats. Prior to working at Business Insider, she interned at States Newsroom in Alaska and wrote about environmental, health, and social services. She has also interned in book publishing and was the opinions editor for the student newspaper at the University of Arizona, where she graduated with a degree in History. In her free time, you can find Sophia reading or playing with her dog. Read more Read lessYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
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