An online pet vet subscription may not seem a top priority until your furry friend falls ill and you need immediate assistance. With the rise of COVID-19, the online pet health service has become increasingly popular and continues to be in high demand.
We love the ease of scheduling a virtual appointment with a licensed vet from the comfort of our home. Our pets no longer have to travel and can avoid the stress of clinic visits or car sickness. The best part—online vets can promptly answer urgent pet health questions, even at night.
At Bored Panda , we understand how crucial it is for pet owners to have access to real-time advice at their fingertips. In this guide, we compared the top online veterinarian services currently leading the space. We also looked at some AI-powered platforms to see how they stack up against their human counterparts.
Best Value Online Vet Services
From online consultations to prescription refills, these vet services prioritize affordability without compromising on the well-being of your beloved pets.
Ease of Use: 3/5 | Price: $99/year | Available On: Web, iOS, and Android | Best For: Ongoing care Pawp is an online veterinary service that offers personalized care plans and tailored treatment for your pets all year round. Unlike other services that provide one-time consultations, Pawp offers ongoing care and reminders for things like vaccines and flea and tick medicine. If you have concerns about your pet’s health, one of their vets can help you decide on the next best steps. In addition to online vet appointments, Pawp provides an emergency fund that you can access by paying an extra $19 monthly. This fund offers a one-time payment of $3,000 that you can use at any vet, even for a pre-existing condition. The reviews of Pawp are positive, with many owners appreciating the high level of care and attention their pets receive. What We Like: • Up to 5 additional pets included in the plan • 1-month free trial • 24/7 access to vets • Emergency vet fund available What We Don’t Like: • Some owners report it was hard to make an insurance claim • There is a chance for you to be signed up for unwanted subscriptions
pawp.com Report
Ease of Use: 5/5 | Price: $5 per question or $20 for in-depth private consultation | Available On: Web, iOS, Android | Best For: Non-emergency care Created by Petco, PetCoach offers an uncomplicated live chat service available 24/7. Users can submit their questions to a paid online forum for a nominal fee of $5. This forum provides vet techs, veterinarians, nutritionists, and behaviorists access. Pet owners are encouraged to seek health advice and can even send pictures of their pets, such as lumps or lab reports. However, PetCoach may take a while to respond compared to other providers, with response times often taking several hours. If you require a more comprehensive and personalized consultation, that costs $20 per consultation. There is no time limit; you can communicate with the veterinarian until your problem is resolved. If time is of the essence, you can set a time limit. You won’t be charged if your query isn’t answered within the provided time frame. What We Like: • No subscription required • Easy to use • A huge directory of answers and articles What We Don’t Like: • Slow to reply • Not suitable for emergency care
petcoach.co Report
Ease of Use: 4/5 | Price: $55/month (plus $5 joining fee) | Available On: iOS, Android, and Web | Best For: Accessing multiple services JustAnswer is a platform that connects pet owners to international vets, including US-based experts, 24/7. If you are unsatisfied with the answer you received, you can request a new expert free of charge. In addition to typed conversations, JustAnswer also offers a phone call option. However, there is no video call option at this time, and prescriptions can’t be issued. You can opt for an additional premium service if you need more advanced services like x-ray or blood result interpretation. What We Like: • One-on-one chat with real vets 24/7 • Free follow-up chats • Easy to send photos and videos • International experts What We Don’t Like: • Fuzzy subscription terms • Brief call duration • Hard to opt out of the follow-ups
justanswer.com Report
Ease of Use: 4/5 | Price: $30 one time call or $9.99/month | Available On: iOS and Android | Best For: Quick Chats Wag! is more than just a website with reliable medical articles. It’s an all-in-one solution with an online advice service accessible to everyone. However, to chat with a vet, you need to download the app, which might be a downside for those who prefer typing on a laptop or talking over the phone. On the other hand, many pet owners appreciate the prompt response and the sound advice they receive from the vet. What We Like: • 24/7 service • Easy to set up • Reliable advice • Chat time limit is 24 hours What we don’t like: • Questions close after the time limit expires
wagwalking.com Report
Ease of Use: 3.5/5 | Price: Free for Chewy customers or $19.99 | Available On: Web | Best For: Affordable advice Chewy offers an online vet chat service from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET. This service isn’t intended to replace in-person vet care, but the vets can assist you with any questions. You can schedule a call for $19.99 if you need more support. The call could be a video call, allowing you to show the vet your dog live. This service is free for Chewy customers. Anyone who uses the “auto-ship” feature when purchasing from Chewy is a member. Since Chewy sells a vast range of products, including toys, food, and parasite prevention, you should take advantage of this excellent offer. What We Like: • Option for video chat • Free for Chewy customers • Reliable experts What We Don’t Like: • Not available 24 hours • Not available in Alaska or Hawaii
chewy.com Report
Ease of Use: 2.5/5 | Price: $19.99/month | Available On: Web, iOS, and Android | Best For: Scheduled phone calls If you’re not interested in a Vetser monthly subscription, you can pay $55 for a consultation. Although it may seem pricey compared to other options, this consultation involves a video call with a vet, and you’ll be given a specific time slot to speak with them. During this time, they’ll be solely focused on you. In certain states, you may be able to obtain a written prescription from the vet. You can choose the vet you’d like to speak with, and many users find that they develop a connection with a particular vet over time. What We Like: • 24/7 • International service • You can buy prescription medicine from Vetster’s pharmacy What We Don’t Like: • Not all vets can issue prescriptions • Sometimes, the vet may need to cancel the scheduled appointment
vetster.com Report
Ease of Use: 5/5 | Price: From $132/year | Available On: Web | Best For: Getting prescription medicine for cats and dogs Establishing a solid vet-client professional relationship (VCPR) is often necessary for a veterinarian to prescribe medicine. Nowadays, some states allow remote VCPR, meaning online veterinarians can also provide prescriptions. In addition, vets may add recommended items to your cart for purchase. While this can be convenient, it may also create pressure to buy the item, even if it is cheaper elsewhere or you’re unsure if it is your desired product. What we like: • Free shipping on prescriptions • Up to 5 pets covered in a single membership What we don’t like: • Prescriptions aren’t always an option
dutch.com Report
Ease of Use: 4.5/5 | Price: $9.99/month | Available On: Web, iOS, and Android | Best For: General advice When you want to contact a veterinarian, hearing that the service is available in 10 minutes or an hour isn’t always acceptable. AskVet boasts a one-minute waiting time, which their users report rings true. This is possible because AskVet uses a digital vet called VERA. This stands for Veterinary Engagement and Relationship Agent. Vera is trained on several million vet-owner conversations, six veterinary college curricula, and veterinary-reviewed data sets. Call us old-fashioned, but we would still prefer talking to a real vet, at least for now. What We Like: • Average waiting time is up to a minute • You’ll get broad advice for companion, exotic, and farm animals What We Don’t Like: • You aren’t talking to a real person • A chance of being signed up for unwanted subscriptions
askvet.app Report
Ease of Use: 5/5 | Price: From $29.95/month | Available on: Web | Best For: Banfield clients Banfield is a leading veterinary care provider with over 1,000 clinics across the USA, and it recently introduced an online appointment system to make pet care more accessible. This new service enables pet owners to have virtual visits for services such as post-op checks, weight checks, puppy advice, and parasite prevention consultations. To use this service, you need to pay for their wellness plan, regardless of whether you are a Banfield client. Nevertheless, many pet owners prefer using the same provider for virtual and in-person vet care, making Banfield’s service highly in demand. What We Like: • Schedule visits with vets any time of the day What we don’t like: • Text only chat • Must pay extra, even if you are already a Banfield client • You won’t get a diagnosis or prescription medication online
banfield.com Report
Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!
Follow Bored Panda on Google News!
Add Your Photo To This List
Please use high-res photos without watermarks
Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
Not your original work? Add source
Unlock an Enhanced Experience with Bored Panda Premium
Go ad-free, access unlimited content, and enjoy our sleek dark mode. Your favorite stories, uninterrupted.
No fees, cancel anytime
Olympian Makes Stunning Admission After Judge’s Conspicuous Scores Ignite Cheating Accusations
