Far from the careless and innocent approach to animals and pets that our parents have had, taking care of a pet today is a full-time responsibility. Nothing better illustrates how big of a responsibility it is than a poster hanging in a veterinarian’s office with two images on it: one with Bugs Bunny and another one with a rabbit. Under the first, the heading of ‘Bugs Bunny’ can be seen. Under the other one ‘10-Year Responsibility’. 

Truth be told, this is as real as it gets when speaking of our furry friends. They, too, have their health issues and they, too, need medical care similar to what we need. Regular checkups, neutralization, surgeries, dental and eye care, and much more are expected from a responsible owner, and knowing where to go for which type of service is of the essence when it comes to taking care of our pets. 

If you have a pet as well, knowing where to find the best veterinarian in Toronto can help you administer timely care to your furry friend and make sure that they are always in tip-top shape. Never forget that an average dog lives just 10-15 years and that, at this time, it is best to consider giving them the best medical services that you can find. Pet vaccinations, timely veterinary services, and pet surgery (if needed) will prolong their life and make them live the best of it. 

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Top Veterinarian in Toronto

As we get emotionally attached to them, and come to the realization that they need to have proper care at all times, the question of where to find the best possible vet clinic slowly arises. There are dozens of such clinics in Toronto, but unlike for humans, where you can read the actual reviews written by clients and patients, with cat and dog care, the situation gets a bit more complex. 

For this reason, we took a look at some of the most popular vet clinics in the Toronto area. We took a look at their rankings, online reviews, pet health products and procedures that they offer, vet techs, the variety of veterinary services that they provide, and the testimonials families of their patients left. Long story short, we’ve come up with ten clinics that matched what we were looking for. 

Top 10 Best Veterinarians in Toronto for Dogs

Every vet clinic on the list has decent rankings and many reviews that we could go through to estimate how well they match our idea of a top vet clinic. Not only that, but we also took a look at the services that they provide, the locations, and their teams. Laboratory services are not offered by every clinic, and the same goes for online consultations, so we took these as a big plus. When it comes to an animal clinic, they also need to have friendly staff and be able to provide hygienic and timely service. 

When considering some of these, please bear in mind that animal hospitals can get as busy as those working with humans and that you may need to consider multiple hospitals before choosing the one to stick with. If you find the long wait times too much to bear, we recommend seeking another clinic but always keep in mind that a lack of organization is not the only reason a clinic may be so busy – the reason may as well lie within their staff and their professional approach or simply the quality of regular and emergency services that they provide. 

This being said, here are the top ten animal hospitals that you should consider for your pet: 

  • Dundas Euclid Animal Hospital 
  • College Street Animal Hospital 
  • Davisville Park Animal Hospital
  • Beaches Animal Hospital
  • Roncesvalles Animal Hospital
  • Bloorcourt Veterinary Clinic 
  • Liberty Village Animal Hospital
  • Bickford Park Animal Hospital
  • Village Gate Animal Hospital
  • Leslieville Animal Hospital 

All of these animal hospitals provide medical services for pets in the Toronto area, and some even offer post-op pet care. Whatever the needs you may have, you should check them all out in more detail before committing yourself to a single one. Best animal hospitals are timely, hire good practitioners and surgeons, and have good relations with both the pets and the pets’ families. Pet care is a complex field, so always be very careful when looking into the services that you can get and be realistic about the services that you need. 

Dundas Euclid Animal Hospital

Dundas Euclid Animal Hospital offers a range of services for both cats and dogs. It is one of the largest and the best veterinary clinics in Toronto. It is also one of the best equipped. The clinic works on weekends (Saturday only), so it is a good solution for those with a busy lifestyle. 

  • Services Offered: Arthritis Services, Bloodwork Services, Cardiology Services, Dental Care Services, Deworming Services, Euthanasia Services, Grooming Services, Heartworm Testing, Laser Therapy, Microchipping, Nutrition Counseling, Parasite Control and Prevention, Rehabilitation Services, Senior Care, Spaying and Neutering, Surgical Services, Ultrasound and X-Ray Services, Vaccinations for Kittens and Cats, Vaccinations for Puppies and Dogs, Vet Referrals, Veterinary Exam, Weight Management 
  • Phone: +14163629696
  • Address: 840 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1V5, Canada
  • Email: Contact Form
  • Website: https://www.my-petdoctor.com
  • Work Hours: MON-FRI 8 AM-7 PM, SAT 9 AM-4 PM

College Street Animal Hospital

The College Street Animal Hospital is also located in Toronto. It offers a variety of services for dogs and is one of the best animal hospitals for just about any pet owner. They focus on dermatology a lot, so they may be the best solution if you have an aging dog, or a dog that likes to spend a lot of time outdoors and can pick up a tick or two during the summer. 

  • Services Offered: Wellness Exams, Surgical Services, Diagnostics, Dermatology, Dentistry, Vaccinations, Digital Imaging, Parasite Prevention, Microchipping
  • Phone: +14166421444
  • Address: 486 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1A4, Canada 
  • Email: info@collegestreetvets.com
  • Website: https://collegestreetanimalhospital.com/
  • Work Hours: MON-FRI 8 AM-7 PM, SAT 9 AM-2 PM

Davisville Park Animal Hospital

Davisville Park Animal Hospital is a deeply committed animal hospital that believes that animals are a part of the family. When it comes to their technology, they keep up with the latest trends to only provide the best for your pet. The hospital offers online bookings and appointments and they also offer a variety of services for your furry friends. 

  • Services Offered: Arthritis Services for Pets, Behavioral Counselling for Pets, Bloodwork Services for Pets, Cardiology Services for Pets, Dental Care Services for Pets, Dermatology Services for Pets, Deworming Services for Pets, Euthanasia Services for Pets, Heartworm Testing, Laparoscopy, Microchipping for Pets, Nutrition Counseling for Pets, Parasite Control and Prevention for Pets, Senior Care for Pets, Spay and Neutering for Pets, Surgical Services for Pets, Ultrasound and X-ray Services for Pets, Vaccinations for Kittens and Cats, Vaccinations for Puppies and Dogs, Veterinary Exam, Weight Management for Pets 
  • Phone: +14164898387
  • Address: 518 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S 2M2, Canada
  • Email: info@davisvilleparkvets.com
  • Website: https://www.davisvilleparkvets.com
  • Work Hours: MON-FRI 8 AM-7 PM 

Beaches Animal Hospital 

Beaches Animal Hospital offers a variety of health and prevention-related services for your pet. The Beaches Animal Hospital is also open on Saturdays, 8 AM to 8 PM, to provide a range of hours when you can visit, especially if you lead a busy lifestyle and would like to ensure your furry friends get the care they deserve. When it comes to making an appointment, it can be done online or by phone. 

  • Services Offered: Examinations, Nutrition, Vaccination, Veterinary Diets, Dentistry, Parasite Control, Annual Diagnostics, Laboratory Services, Cardigan Monitoring, Ultrasound, Spaying, Neutering, Outside Laboratory, Radiology, Hospitalization, Surgery, Online Consultations
  • Phone: +14166904040
  • Address: 2304 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4E 1G8, Canada
  • Email: beaches@vca.com
  • Website: https://beachesanimalhospital.com/
  • Work Hours: MON-SAT 8 AM-8 PM

Roncesvalles Animal Hospital

This is one of the best Toronto animal hospitals. They provide a range of services including surgical services, so this may be the best place to go if your pet is in need of surgery, has had an accident, or has a broken limb. You can make appointments online or by phone, and the friendly staff will provide you with advice on how and what to do. 

  • Services Offered: Dentistry, Radiology, Ultrasonography, Medical Assessment, Preventative Services, Surgical Services, Nutritional Counseling, Wellness, Vaccination, Anaesthesia, Monitoring, Health Screening, Additional Pet Services 
  • Phone: +14165318282
  • Address: 18 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2K3, Canada
  • Email: info@ronvet.ca
  • Website: http://roncesvallesanimalhospital.com/
  • Work Hours: MON-THU 8 AM-7 PM, FRI 8 AM-5 PM, SAT 9 AM-1 PM

Bloorcourt Veterinary Clinic

Bloorcourt Veterinary Clinic offers a range of services for both cats and dogs and likewise for younger and adult animals. They offer preventative wellness care and vaccination, advising, and much more. Overall, this is the best general clinic, with a lot of focus on educating pet owners about their pets’ health, prevention and good nutrition. 

  • Services Offered: Puppy Exams, Vaccines, Kitten Exams, Deworkiming, Spaying, Neutering, microchipping (not many clinics offer this service), Parasite Protection, wellness care for cats and dogs, senior exams, monitoring lab work, nutrition, arthritis, parasite protection, euthanasia, internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, neurology, diagnostic lab work, X-ray, ultrasound, emergency care, dental care
  • Phone: +14165379677
  • Address: 1074 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 1M6, Canada
  • Email: Care@BloorcourtVetClinic.com
  • Website: http://www.bloorcourtvetclinic.com/
  • Work Hours: MON-TUE 8 AM-8 PM, WED 8 AM-1 PM & 3 PM-8 PM, THU-FRI 8 AM-8 PM, SAT 9 AM-3 PM

Liberty Village Animal Hospital

Liberty Village Animal Hospital offers its services to the owners of all dog breeds. They work as a team to provide a more complex set of services and to make sure that your dogs get the best care they deserve. They deal with wellness examinations, assessments, and disease diagnostics. 

  • Services Offered: nutritional counselling, an array of veterinary diets, house blood chemistry, urine analysis, CBS analyzers, extensive blood work through an external laboratory, digital radiology, dentistry, digital dental radiology, pet pharmacy, surgical care, spaying, neutering, soft tissue surgeries, abdominal surgeries, patient monitoring, ECG, blood pressure monitoring, capnograph, pulse dosimetry, laser therapy, post-surgical care
  • Phone: +16479253878
  • Address: 171 E Liberty St Unit 120, Toronto, ON M6K 3P6, Canada 
  • Email: info@libertyvillageanimalhospital.com
  • Website: http://libertyvillageanimalhospital.com/
  • Work Hours: MON & WED 8 AM-6 PM, TUE & THU 8 AM-8 PM, FRI 9 AM-6 PM

Take a Look at Does Your Pet Really Need the Bloodwork the Veterinarian Recommended?:

Bickford Park Animal Hospital

Bickford Park Animal Hospital takes a different approach to providing medical care for your pets. They insist on healing rather than providing treatments or simple medical care. It is through this holistic approach that the clinic manages to get good results and good online reviews. They also provide care for your pets where they feel comfortable and they even offer pet-sitting services for all who would like their pets to be well-taken care of while at work or on holiday. 

  • Services Offered: Adult Dog Vaccinations, puppy vaccinations, canine spay, canine neutering services, flea and tick treatments, canine microchip, canine dental services, canine surgery, blood tests for dogs, dog anal gland expression, dog behavioural counselling, dog skin care, dog urine analysis, dog fecal exam, dog x-ray and ultrasound, overweight dog help, senior dog care. The same services are provided for cats if you happen to have multiple pets
  • Phone: +16473478387 
  • Address: 807 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1L8, Canada 
  • Email: info@bickfordvet.com
  • Website: https://bickfordvet.com/
  • Work Hours: MON-THU 8 AM-7 PM, FRI 8 AM-6 PM, SAT 9 AM-2 PM 

Village Gate Animal Hospital

This is a small animal hospital that focuses on your pets’ well-being rather than the simple quantity of patients and their profits. They are accepting new clients at the time of writing and they also offer you to book an appointment through their online form or by phone. There is a wide range of services that they offer, a bit more than we are used to seeing with smaller animal clinics. 

  • Services Offered: Wellness and Preventative care vaccinations, diet, nutrition, pain management, surgical services, dental services Radiology, diagnostic ultrasound, parasite control, emergencies
  • Phone: +14165889889
  • Address: 1357 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5R 3H8, Canada 
  • Email: info@villagegateanimalhospital.ca
  • Website: https://villagegateanimalhospital.ca/
  • Work Hours: MON-SAT 8 AM-6 PM

Leslieville Animal Hospital 

Leslieville Animal Hospital offers animal care by knowledgeable veterinarians, which goes beyond simple treatments and simple care that some less highly-ranked clinics can offer. This clinic focuses on understanding the core of the issues with your pets and it also offers services in preventative care. Not only that, but treatments for many medical conditions are also offered by the clinic, and they include heart disease, periodontitis, infections, orthopedic issues, and more. 

  • Services Offered: Behavioral Counselling, Bloodwork, Cardiology, Dental Care, Dermatology, Deworming, Euthanasia, Heartworm Testing, Laparoscopy, Microchipping, Nutrition Counselling, Orthopedic, Parasite Control and Prevention, Senior Care, Spay and Neutering, Surgical Services, Ultrasound and X-ray, Vaccinations for Kittens and Cats, Vaccinations for Puppies and Dogs, Vet Referrals, Veterinary Exam, Weight Management
  • Phone: +14164638387
  • Address: 1166 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1L4, Canada 
  • Email: info@leslievillevets.com
  • Website: https://www.leslievillevets.com/
  • Work Hours: MON-FRI 8 AM-7 PM

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Veterinarian

Needless to say, you should always pay attention to more than the mere medical services and the quality of pet care that an animal clinic can offer. If you are a first-time dog owner, you should definitely pay attention to these as well, but over time, you will learn how to recognize a good service that an animal clinic has to offer and should be able to consider some other factors as well. 

This does not mean that you would need to forget about the passionate care that your pet deserves, but it should rather say that even the best animal hospitals need to be able to provide more. Pet boarding, soft-tissue surgery, full-service hospitals for pets, comprehensive services, and compassionate doctors are just some of the veterinarian pet needs that were difficult to think of just decades ago. 

Couple this amazing care with proper pet food, regular vaccinations, and everyday walks, and your pets will be able to have a long and fulfilling life. When choosing the clinic that you should take your pet to, here are some of the factors that you should consider before making your first appointment: 

  • Location and accessibility 
  • Cost of services 
  • Availability and appointment scheduling
  • Their reputation and trustworthiness 

Location and Accessibility

The location and accessibility of the office or the animal clinic are of paramount importance. When it comes to these, it is important to consider that the clinic should not be too far away – although your pet may be comfortable in your car and although you may drive carefully on good roads, they do not necessarily enjoy a car ride. For this reason and your comfort, it is important to consider that the pet animal clinic should be relatively close to your home. 

The clinic should also be accessible, meaning that it should be placed in such a way that both you and your pet can access it with ease. If you have mobility issues and have a companion dog or another specially trained breed, you may need to consider these as well. A good clinic will take into consideration the varying needs of their patients, but you may also want to consider that some may be placed in old buildings where there is only so much that can be done to ensure accessibility to all. 

Cost of Services

The cost of services should also be considered. As with any other service that you may need, the veterinarian services also come with their own range. The lower you go, the higher the chance that the veterinarian may be cutting corners in their veterinary care, which is not something you want for your furry family member. 

When it comes to the other part of the range, you should consider that even a good veterinarian can overcharge for their services, and there is no need to overpay for something that you can get for a lower price. Good veterinary care does not have to be super costly, especially preventive care, so always choose the mid-price range, and save some money for lord-forbid situations where your furry friend needs to go to a hospital for surgery – where you should spare no dime. 

Take A Look At What if I Can’t Afford a Vet in Canada?:

Availability and Appointment Scheduling

Another important factor to consider is the availability and appointment scheduling with the clinic of your choice. A good clinic should be able to provide medical services on relatively short notice but do not expect them to be able to provide same-day service. The same goes for any veterinary emergency clinic as well. When it comes to your fur babies, sometimes, waiting is a must. 

On the other hand, the appointment scheduling system should be in place. Walk-in clinics are a reality, but so are hours spent waiting in them. On the other hand, a serious clinic will always have at least one option for appointment scheduling, be it over the phone, contact form, or online. These booking systems allow you to better plan your visits to the best vet clinic and also allow you to better plan your time. 

Reputation and Trustworthiness

The reputation of the veterinary hospital you choose to put your trust in is also important. When speaking of this, it is important to check out their reputation online and among the circle of your friends. Checking online stars/ranking is often not enough, as you will have to consider that the rankings are averaged out – you will need to check the ratios between different grades. 

When it comes to their trustworthiness, this is where the comments, reviews, and testimonials come into play. Beware that reviews on social media can be removed and each clinic can keep only those that they deem worth keeping. When it comes to reviews on other online platforms, such as Google Reviews, they cannot be removed, unless by the person that has posted them. 

There are always other factors that you may want to consider when choosing the veterinary medicine clinic for your furry friends. Here are some more: 

  • Opening hours
  • Accreditation and awards
  • Extra Services
  • Location
  • Specialist vets
  • Supportive Staff
  • Costs
  • Number of services offered
  • Recommendation
  • Ask around
  • Choose friendly
  • Consider experiences
  • Does the practice hold any certifications
  • Referrals to specialists
  • Bedside manner
  • Check reviews
  • Connect on your pet care philosophies
  • Price

Tips for Pet Owners

Sometimes, even the old owners of animals need some help in knowing how to diagnose animal issues and prepare them for a visit to the veterinarian clinic. Here, you need to consider the preparation itself (for both your pet and you) and you will also need to consider pet insurance and financing options for more complex or costly procedures. 

Preparing for Vet Visits

When preparing the pet for the visit, it is important to consider what kind of procedure you are preparing the pet for. When it comes to the preparation itself, preparing a pet for diagnosis, treatments, surgery, and post-op checkups or care can be differentiated. Let’s consider each of these in more detail. 

For Diagnosis

First things first, if you suspect that your pet is sick or may need medical care, you should note down some details about them. You need to consider any changes in the food or the feeding schedule that they have. Any changes in dog or cat food brands, as well as any changes in their behaviour, should be noted. If they eat less, sleep irregularly, do not have as much vigour during walks, do not want pets, do not want to spend time with you or simply spend more time alone, you should report this to the vet. These details can be very important for the veterinarian to bring the right diagnosis. 

For Treatment

On the other hand, if you need to prepare the animal for some kind of treatment, the preparation is a bit different. Injections, medicine that is inhaled, suppositories, and other similar kinds of medicine need to be administered properly and the animal should be prepared. Usually, this will mean changes in the food they eat, how often they go for a walk, and similar changes. You can discuss these with the vet in charge of your animal. 

For Surgery

Thirdly, you will need special preparation for surgeries. Most animal clinics suggest that the animal does not eat 24 hours before the surgery and has no access to water 12 hours before the surgery. When it comes to these measures, they are in place to make the anesthetic more potent, as a body that is tired needs less anesthetic to function properly. When it comes to this, different procedures may ask for different times, while some vets do not even pay attention to these windows. Always ask the vet in charge. 

For Post-Op Care

Finally, post-op care and checkups are necessary after every surgery. In some cases, an X-ray may be enough, while sometimes revision surgeries (especially with broken limbs after car accidents and similar injuries) may be necessary to remove the metal plates/wire or even the drain. In any case, when preparing for a visit like this, you should consider paying special attention to the place that was operated on, the stitches, and the places where the animal could have received injections. Any changes to the feeding pattern, changes in the stool, the urine, vomiting by the animal and similar should be noted and the vet informed about. 

On top of this, you should also consider that all animals are very observant and that they have a good memory. They will recognize the visit to the vet even before you reach the place and may urinate or poop out of fear. As you will probably be taking them there by car, you should probably avoid feeding the animal for a few hours before you visit the clinic. At the same time, you should consider that they have to take their medication (with food if so prescribed) and that you should give them a bit of water. After this, make sure they have some outside time while supervised, to make them urinate. 

Pet Insurance and Financing Options

While Toronto vets are not too expensive, it should be noted that some surgeries and more complex procedures can cost a lot. When it comes to this, it is important to note that your beloved pets should not be left with no care at all, as there are pet insurance and financing options that are in place that you should consider and talk about with your vet. Here are some pet insurance solutions: 

  • Pet Fetch Pet Insurance 
  • Trupanion
  • PHI Direct 
  • Furin
  • PetPlusUs
  • DesJardins Patte d’or

FAQs

Who Is the Most Famous Veterinarian?

There is not a single most famous veterinarian in Toronto. Most of them have a lot of experience and a good track record of satisfied clients. Who the best vet is for you depends on many factors, including your needs, the type of pet you have, their medical needs, and whether you are looking for education or treatments. 

Why Is Vet Care so Expensive in Canada?

Vet care in Canada is expensive for a number of reasons. First of all, Canada has a good economy, meaning that everyone gets a living wage. At the same time, all the tools, materials, and medication that the vet’s clinic may use are expensive during the production stage. The third reason is that vet clinics have to maintain extreme levels of cleanliness. Furthermore, clinics that care about their reputation will always invest in new tools and machines, medical equipment, and more to maintain the level of quality service that is expected. 

Final Considerations

Many vet clinics in Toronto will take good care of your furry friends. At the same time, there are simply those that stand out from the crows and that offer better care, more services or make your animal feel better and more at home while in their space. To help you choose the best of the best, we did a lot of research to help you out with this and to find the top ten vets in Toronto. Our handy guide also shows how to take good care of your pet and how to avoid them being mistreated or misdiagnosed – beware that they cannot explain how they feel.