What online veterinary care is
Online veterinary care — also called veterinary telehealth — lets you connect with a licensed veterinarian by video, phone, or message instead of visiting a clinic in person. Many pet owners use it for non-urgent questions, general guidance, and follow-ups, often from the comfort of home.
It is best thought of as a convenient complement to your regular care — not a replacement for your local veterinarian, and never a replacement for emergency care.
What it can — and cannot — help with
✓ Often a good fit for
- Non-urgent questions and general advice
- Minor, non-emergency concerns
- Behavior, training, and nutrition questions
- Follow-ups after a clinic visit
- Help deciding whether an in-person visit is needed
✗ Not a substitute for
- Emergencies or life-threatening situations
- A hands-on physical exam
- Lab work, x-rays, or imaging
- Surgery or in-clinic procedures
- Vaccines and dental care
When to visit an emergency clinic
Some situations need urgent, in-person care. Treat it as an emergency and contact your nearest emergency vet right away if your pet shows signs such as:
- Trouble breathing
- Collapse or fainting
- Seizures
- Suspected poisoning
- Severe bleeding
- A swollen, hard belly (possible bloat)
- Inability to urinate
- Repeated vomiting or severe distress
Find an emergency vet near you →
When to see a local veterinarian
Choose an in-person visit with your local vet for anything that needs a physical exam or in-clinic care — including vaccines, dental cleanings, spays and neuters, bloodwork, x-rays, wound care, and ongoing management of a known condition.
Prescriptions
Whether a veterinarian can prescribe medication online depends on your location, your pet’s situation, and applicable laws, and it is always at the veterinarian’s discretion. Online care does not guarantee that a prescription will be issued. For dosing and medication questions, always follow the guidance of a licensed veterinarian — never adjust or start medication on your own.
Cost expectations
Pricing for online veterinary care varies by provider and the type of visit. Some providers charge per visit, while others offer a membership. Always check the provider’s own website for current pricing before signing up, so there are no surprises.
Planning a budget for routine care? Our Vet Cost Estimator can help you get a rough idea.
How online vet visits work
Most online veterinary visits follow a few simple steps, so you usually know what to expect before you start:
- Describe what’s going on. You share your pet’s symptoms, history, and a few details about their age and breed — often with photos or a short video.
- Connect with a licensed vet. You’re matched with a veterinarian by video, phone, or chat, depending on the service.
- Talk it through. The vet asks questions, reviews what you’ve shared, and gives general guidance on what to watch for and what to do next.
- Get a clear next step. That might be at-home care tips, a recommendation to monitor, or advice to book an in-person visit if a hands-on exam is needed.
Because an online vet can’t physically examine your pet, the visit is about guidance and triage — helping you understand the situation and decide on the right level of care. If anything looks urgent, a good online vet will tell you to seek in-person or emergency care right away.
Why PetsInMyCity recommends Dutch
Sponsored — affiliate partner
When online care is the right fit, we point pet parents toward a service we trust to do it well. We chose Dutch because it connects you with licensed veterinarians and focuses on the non-urgent, guidance-style care online visits are best suited for. The care path always comes first — we only suggest an online provider once it is genuinely the right step for your pet.
Affiliate disclosure: PetsInMyCity may earn a small commission if you sign up through some partner links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects which care path we recommend, and we always lead with what is genuinely useful for you and your pet.
Frequently asked questions
What is online veterinary care?
Online veterinary care, also called veterinary telehealth, lets you connect with a licensed veterinarian by video, phone, or message instead of visiting a clinic in person. It is often used for non-urgent questions, general guidance, and follow-ups.
What can online vet care help with?
It can be helpful for non-urgent questions, general advice, minor concerns, behavior and nutrition questions, and follow-up guidance. It is a convenient starting point when you are unsure whether a clinic visit is needed.
What can't online vet care help with?
It cannot replace a hands-on physical exam, lab work, imaging, surgery, or emergency treatment. Anything that needs a vet to physically examine, test, or treat your pet should be handled in person.
When should I go to an emergency clinic instead?
If your pet has trouble breathing, has collapsed, is having seizures, may have eaten something toxic, has severe bleeding, a suspected bloat, cannot urinate, or seems to be in severe distress, treat it as an emergency and contact the nearest emergency vet right away.
When should I see a local veterinarian in person?
See your local vet for vaccines, dental care, spays and neuters, bloodwork, x-rays, wounds, and anything that needs a physical exam or in-clinic procedure.
Can an online vet prescribe medication?
Whether a veterinarian can prescribe medication online depends on your location, the situation, and applicable laws, and it is always at the veterinarian's discretion. We do not guarantee that any prescription will be issued.
How much does online vet care cost?
Pricing varies by provider and the type of visit. Always check the provider's own website for current pricing before signing up.
Is online vet care a substitute for my regular vet?
No. It is best thought of as a convenient complement to in-person care, not a replacement for your local veterinarian or for emergency care.
Meet Lucy, your pet care companion
Not sure whether your pet’s situation calls for an online vet, a local clinic, or emergency care? Lucy is our free AI pet care companion. She listens to what’s going on, helps you figure out the right level of care, and explains why — always leading with what’s best for your pet, never with a product.
Lucy is educational and never replaces a licensed veterinarian. In an emergency, she will always point you to in-person care right away.
Ask Lucy a question →Related articles & tools
This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your pet’s health. See our Editorial Standards for how we research and review content.