How to Choose the Right Vet for Your Puppy
Did you know that the domestic dog’s life expectancy is increasing? Unsurprisingly, so is their quality of life. We can chalk this good news up to an increase in preventative care, a better understanding of canine digestive health and nutritional needs, access to higher-quality, unprocessed dog foods, and the Millennial and Gen Z trend to raise their dogs not as a pet, but as a valued member of their family. With this newfound longevity comes the need for lifelong, trusted veterinary care.
Choosing a veterinarian is akin to choosing a primary care doctor or specialist for yourself or a dependent. We suggest applying the same level of consideration when evaluating potential vets for your puppy.
Do your homework. Before you bring your dog home, begin researching local veterinarians. Why? If you adopt a puppy under one year, chances are you’ll need to get them immunized as soon as possible to bolster their immune system against certain diseases. (Note: Here’s a list of recommended vaccinations to consider.)
Ask a fellow dog parent. Word of mouth is powerful. Referrals from friends are wonderful as they’ve been a dog parent longer and they’ve likely already done a ton of research. If you’re a brand-new puppy or dog parent, it’s beneficial to discuss veterinary care with trusted individuals from your canine community—they ought to know, they’ve been there and done that, so they may have useful information or insights.
Note: The number of people who became pet owners spiked during the pandemic. Due to this surge, many pets are on top veterinary waiting lists. So, reserve your spot at a few places, and visit your top two or three to get a sense for the level of care.
Vet your veterinarian’s credentials + affiliations. It’s important to ascertain your vets credentials—where they studied veterinary medicine — and to which animal hospitals or emergency care facilities they may currently have access.
Identify your local veterinary emergency care. In the event your personal veterinarian is unavailable, it’s critical to locate your nearest 24-hour emergency vet care facility. One of our resident Maev puppies, Pete, recently paid an unexpected visit to the ER when he ate an entire pack of gum, and was treated right away. (More on that story and a list of toxic dog foods and ingredients to avoid, here…)
