TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fuzzy Pet Health — Best Overall
Fuzzy Pet Health is designed as a one-stop shop for pet health, with on-demand consultations, advice, behavioral support, and products that supplement regular, in-person veterinary care for your pets.
AskVet — Best for On-Demand Care
AskVet provides 24/7 live chat access to licensed veterinarians, so when pets have an urgent need like illness or injury, their owners can get it addressed right away.
PetCoach — Best for Comprehensive Care
This forum-based platform gives pet owners access to expert advice from veterinarians on a whole range of pet-related topics, including medical and behavioral health issues, grooming, training, and more.
whiskerDocs — Best Subscription Plan
whiskerDocs is a subscription-based service that pet owners can use to get supplemental pet care from licensed veterinarians and vet techs, via email, phone call, or live chat.
VetLIVE — Best for Second Opinions
For pet owners who are looking for a second opinion on a treatment or diagnosis for their pet, VetLIVE offers virtual consultations with licensed veterinarians at an affordable price.
In selecting our top picks for the best online pet care and veterinary services, we focused on three key elements that are typically most important to pet owners searching for online pet care, including the services provided, whether they are available on an on-demand basis, and how they can communicate with veterinarians.
As many pet owners turn to online pet care and veterinary services during non-business hours like weekends and holidays, it was important to us to find services that are accessible 24/7, 365 days a year.
When looking for the best online pet care and veterinarians, we took a close look at the scope of services they offer. We prioritized platforms that offered multiple types of services, including consultations, training, nutritional counseling, medication delivery, and more, so you can get all your pet healthcare needs met in one place.
Communication is key, especially when explaining what is ailing your pet. We focused on services that offer multiple communication methods, including video chat, phone call, live chat, and email, as well as the ability to send photos of your pet.
Fuzzy Pet Health is a one-stop shop for pet health and behavioral support, products, and check-ups. It is designed to provide on-demand consultations and advice to supplement in-person veterinary care for your pets.
Regardless of where customers live, a Fuzzy Pet Health membership will give them access to personalized advice, virtual chat consults, and regular delivery of flea and tick medication. Fuzzy Pet Health’s veterinarians can also provide prescriptions for parasite medications when necessary. Virtual video consultations are available for general questions, behavior or training sessions, and nutritional and diet concerns.
Customers in San Francisco and New York get an additional perk — on-demand physical exams. Subscribers in these markets can schedule a check-up at their convenience, and Fuzzy Pet Health will send a licensed veterinarian to their chosen location.
Fuzzy Pet Health offers different tiers of service with a monthly subscription. Their services are available via their website or mobile app.
Price | Accepts Insurance | Other Features |
Virtual Vet: $9.95/month Essential Care: $12.95/month Fuzzy Rx: $24.95/month Virtual Vet Consultation: $25 In-Home Physical Exam: $150 |
No | – Mobile app – Desktop compatibility – 24/7/365 access – More features at Fuzzy Pet Health |
Pros & Cons of Fuzzy Pet Health Online Pet Care Service
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What Customers Are Saying
Many customers say that Fuzzy Pet Health is a reliable, convenient service for when a regular vet visit isn’t possible. “They have shown to be very responsive, professional, and extremely well informed,” says one customer. “I always feel that they genuinely care about their work and patients.”
Score
Ease of use: 90/100
Convenience factor: 100/100
Technology: 90/100
Personalization: 100/100
Overall score: 95/100
When something is wrong with your pet, you want trustworthy advice as quickly as possible, and it can be frustrating if you cannot reach your regular vet. That’s why AskVet exists.
This service provides access to licensed veterinarians 24/7 via live chat on a computer or mobile device, so if your pet is sick or injured, or you have another urgent concern, you can get it addressed right away.
A consultation with an AskVet veterinarian on average lasts 20 minutes, although there is no time limit on chats, so you can feel confident that you won’t need to end your session until all of your questions have been answered. Signing up for AskVet’s services is as easy as entering some information about yourself and your pet.
Besides treating common household pets like cats and dogs, AskVet’s veterinarians have experience working with horses, fish, birds, and exotic pets.
Price | Accepts Insurance | Other Features |
3 months: $29.99 | No | – Mobile app – Desktop compatibility – 24/7/365 access – More features at AskVet |
Pros & Cons of AskVet Online Pet Care Service
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What Customers Are Saying
According to customers, AskVet provides comprehensive, compassionate care when they need it most. “I’ve texted more times than I can count,” writes one customer. “It’s so easy and convenient. I am always treated with kindness and respect, and never feel stupid asking any questions.”
Scores
Ease of use: 70/100
Convenience factor: 80/100
Technology: 90/100
Personalization: 60/100
Overall score: 75/100
PetCoach is another 24/7 on-demand pet care medical and health advice site. It is built around forums where you can obtain free non-vet advice on a variety of health, behavioral, and general issues. If your question is something that isn’t answered in the forums, simply fill out a brief questionnaire, and you’ll be connected to a veterinarian who can assist you.
One of the best PetCoach features is that questions aren’t constrained to medical issues. Visitors to the site can ask a vet or knowledgeable forum members about behavior, choosing a breed, grooming, training, as well as health issues.
Users can access PetCoach’s services via their website or mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android. PetCoach also integrates a social component into the site, where over time, customers’ preferences will lead to a customized feed with content and discussions related to their particular interests.
Price | Accepts Insurance | Other Features |
Forum Q&A: Free Consultation: $14.99 |
No | – Mobile app – Desktop compatibility – Forum available – More features at PetCoach |
Pros & Cons of PetCoach Online Pet Care Service
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What Customers Are Saying
PetCoach has earned praise from customers for coming to the rescue in emergencies. “I found this app while sitting up with my very sick pup,” writes one user. “My questions were answered in a timely fashion, and I didn’t have to wait until normal business hours to get help.”
Scores
Ease of use: 85/100
Convenience factor: 90/100
Technology: 90/100
Personalization: 75/100
Overall score: 85/100
whiskerDocs seeks to be the telehealth solution for all of your furry, feathered, or scaled companions, to fill in the gaps when your regular vet is not accessible.
While whiskerDocs cannot diagnose or treat medical issues in pets, they can offer recommendations and decision support, using various proven telehealth methodologies. Veterinarians are available via phone call, live chat, or email, and can be accessed through their website or mobile app.
Users have the choice to utilize whiskerDocs’ services on an as-needed, pay-as-you-go basis, or by purchasing a monthly or yearly subscription for unlimited 24/7 support. Those who purchase an unlimited plan also get 75% off care for additional pets.
whiskerDocs team includes licensed veterinarians and vet technicians, many of whom have over 15 years of experience caring for animals.
Price | Accepts Insurance | Other Features |
Call/Chat: $39.99 Email: $4.99 Unlimited (Monthly): $16.99 Unlimited (Yearly): $129.99 |
Yes | – Mobile app – Desktop compatibility – 24/7/365 access – More features at whiskerDocs |
Pros & Cons of whiskerDocs Online Pet Care Service
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What Customers Are Saying
whiskerDocs has built a loyal customer base by providing reliable pet care. “I’ve been looking forever to find an app that has good information on pets,” writes one user. “Not only does this do that, but I can connect with an extremely helpful vet over the phone.”
Scores
Ease of use: 85/100
Convenience factor: 90/100
Technology: 90/100
Personalization: 75/100
Overall score: 85/100
The central goal of VetLIVE is to provide a way for pet owners to get quick feedback or bounce ideas off of licensed vets without the drawbacks of an office visit.
Besides general consultations, VetLIVE offers nutrition counseling and a second opinion service. With this service, a VetLIVE veterinarian will provide help with questions regarding diagnoses, medication, and treatments, if you want an opinion besides the one you received from your primary veterinarian.
Besides general consultations, VetLIVE offers nutrition counseling, and a second opinion service. With this service, a VetLIVE veterinarian will provide help with questions regarding diagnoses, medication, and treatments, if you want an opinion besides the one you received from your primary veterinarian.
Although users must create an account, services are available on a pay-as-you-go basis. If VetLIVE’s veterinarians cannot answer your question, the chat is free.
Price | Accepts Insurance | Other Features |
Ask A Question: $16.95 – $49.95 Nutritional Consultation: Starts at $29.95 Second Opinion: Starts at $34.95 |
No | – Desktop compatibility – Multiple services available – PayPal accepted – More features at VetLIVE |
Pros & Cons of VetLIVE Online Pet Care Service
Pros:
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What Customers Are Saying
VetLIVE customers say the service has come in handy for questions and advice. “I needed a second opinion, but my schedule wouldn’t allow for another trip to the vet,” says one customer. “ I couldn’t believe how quickly they responded! The VetLIVE doctors are compassionate people that care about animals.”
Scores
Ease of use: 90/100
Convenience factor: 80/100
Technology: 90/100
Personalization: 80/100
Overall score: 85/100
An online veterinarian service cannot replace an in-person veterinarian. Most services will clearly state that they cannot diagnose or treat pets virtually, unless they already have an established relationship with the pet. This regulation, known as the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) is set forth by the American Veterinary Medical Association, which oversees veterinary medicine in the U.S.
In the event of an emergency, an online veterinarian may recommend taking your pet to see an in-person veterinarian for treatment. This also means that in most cases, if your pet needs medication, you will have to contact your regular vet for a prescription.
These services are primarily meant to supplement the healthcare your pet normally receives from their regular vet, and provide you with answers and guidance in situations when you are unable to contact your vet.
“Studies show that many pets and pet owners have a better experience with a video/audio visit in-between annual exams versus all in-person visits. Just like with people, a veterinarian being able to see a pet in their natural environment can be helpful in making better care plans,” said Susy Salvo-Wendt, Telehealth specialist.
As telehealth is a growing industry for humans, it’s no wonder that more pet owners are increasingly adopting these services for pets, for their convenience and affordability. The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred on the development and use of online pet care services, as people are looking for ways to get care without leaving their homes.
Even in light of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, a number of pet care companies were recently ranked on the list of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S.
There has also been a noticeable uptick in pet owners using veterinary telehealth services during the pandemic, possibly indicating that the pet industry will remain strong.