Most people choose their dog's vet the way they choose a chemist: whichever is closest, found in a hurry on the day something goes wrong. It usually works out. But a vet is someone you'll see through vaccinations, a few scares, perhaps a surgery and, eventually, old age, and that relationship is much easier to build before an emergency than during one.

You don't need to be an expert to judge a clinic. The things that matter most are things any owner can notice.

Start before you need one

Book a routine check-up in your first week, and find out where you'd go at night.

Pick a vet in your first week with a new dog, or your first week in a new city, and book a routine check-up while nothing is wrong. You get a calm visit to see how the clinic works, and the vet gets a picture of your dog when healthy, which is surprisingly useful on the day they're not.

While you're there, ask what happens after closing time. Most neighbourhood clinics close by 8 or 9 pm. Some have a vet on call. Others will point you to a 24-hour hospital, which is fine, as long as you know which one. Save both numbers in your phone.

Five questions to ask

A good clinic answers these easily. If the answers are vague, or the questions seem to irritate, try somewhere else.

What a good first visit looks like

Hands on the dog first, questions about your dog second, and clear instructions when you leave.

  • The vet examines your dog before recommending anything. A good consultation starts with hands on the dog: listening to the heart, looking at the eyes, ears, teeth and skin, feeling the belly. If the conversation jumps straight to products to buy, that tells you something.
  • They ask about your dog, not just the symptom. How does your dog handle being held? What do they eat? Have they been anywhere new? Vets who ask good questions tend to find problems early.
  • You leave knowing four things: what was done, what it cost, what to watch for over the next few days, and when to come back.

Clear follow-up instructions are a far better sign than a smart reception area or a high star rating.

Talking about money

It's normal to ask what something will cost, and a good vet won't mind. Before any test, procedure or hospital stay, ask for an estimate, and ask what happens if it changes.

If money is tight, say so. Vets often have more than one way to approach a problem, and the most expensive option isn't always the only reasonable one. Knowing your budget helps them choose.

If you have pet insurance, check whether the clinic can provide the paperwork your insurer needs. Our pet insurance page explains how the Indian policies work.

When to switch

Move if you keep leaving unsure what was done, what it cost or why.

It's reasonable to change clinics if:

  • you're repeatedly unsure what was done or why
  • costs keep surprising you
  • your questions are brushed aside
  • your dog is always seen by someone new with no memory of the last visit

When you move, ask for a copy of your dog's records so the new vet doesn't start from scratch. Second opinions are normal too, especially before surgery or when a diagnosis doesn't seem to fit.

Finding vets near you

We list vets in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata and several other cities, with hours, phone numbers and locations. For the clinics that stay open all night, each city's health and emergencies page puts them first, and in Bengaluru we've gathered them into a single guide to 24-hour vets.

Common questions

Quick answers to what people ask most.

How often should an adult dog see a vet?

Once a year for a check-up and boosters is the usual minimum for a healthy adult. Puppies and older dogs need to go more often.

Is a bigger hospital better than a small clinic?

For everyday care, no. A small clinic you trust is ideal. What matters is knowing where it would send you for things it can't do, like overnight care or advanced surgery.

Can I change vets in the middle of a treatment?

Yes. Ask the first clinic for a copy of the notes, test results and vaccination record, and take them with you. It's your dog's history, and any clinic should hand it over.