9 Best telemedicine for pets [2026]

Going to the vet might rank at the top of the list of least-favorite chores for many pet parents. There are practical inconveniences to it, from finding the right time to schedule it to taking time out of a workday to get your pet to an in-person appointment. But let’s face it – the worst part of taking your pet to the vet is putting your sweet animal through all of that stress. 

The truth is, thanks to changing virtual veterinary medicine laws and online accessibility, many in-person vet appointments can now be avoided. Telemedicine for pets provides a convenient and comfortable option to treat many conditions your pet may face. General wellness and behavior check-ups can be done via video calling, follow-up care for the sniffles can be handled with messaging, and prescriptions can be ordered online. In fact, up to 90% of pet issues can be handled virtually. 

What is telemedicine for pets?

Telemedicine for pets is a virtual way to connect with a veterinarian who can diagnose and treat your pet from a distance. Though not all conditions can be fully assessed virtually, many issues your pet may face can be evaluated from the comfort of your home. 

Your vet may connect with your vet through a video call, over the phone, or by chat and ask you questions about your pet’s condition and needs. Video or pictures may be used to show the vet specifics like the condition of your pet’s skin or how well they’re walking after an injury. Your vet will then determine if the condition can be treated with a prescription and specific direction for continued home care or if your pet needs to be seen in person for further testing or assessment.

Though laws vary by state, your online veterinarian may also be able to prescribe ongoing maintenance meds or medication to support acute issues like pain management after a simple injury. An online vet can also help you sort out simpler questions about your pet’s diet or activity level. Having access to telemedicine for pets can go a long way toward supporting your peace of mind as a pet parent and a healthy life for your pet.

Telemedicine vs teletriage vs teleadvice

Telemedicine is a virtual way to connect with your vet to get care for your pet from a distance. This approach works well for things like maintenance visits for prescription renewals or issues like skin allergies, an unexplained cough, or general check-ups. Since some things like vaccinations and blood tests cannot be done over the phone, your online vet may work with your pet’s primary care provider to perform any testing or vaccinations. 

Teletriage helps you determine what kind of approach is best for your pet’s specific needs. The person you speak to will ask you questions about your pet’s condition and get information about any context like an accident or specific symptoms. From there, they can advise you on whether your pet can work with a televet or if they need the next available in-person appointment or an immediate emergency clinic visit. 

Teleadvice provides general health information that’s not specific to your pet’s condition. Some pet insurances may offer hotlines that provide this kind of support. This information may be helpful for simple interventions, but it doesn’t give pet parents the specialized advice and treatment a vet can give your pet. 

Best telemedicine for pets

The best telemedicine for pets should offer a combination of quality, accessibility, and affordability. Let’s explore the current options on the market. 

1. Dutch

Dutch provides online veterinary care for a low monthly cost. With a subscription, you get unlimited video calls and messaging for up to five pets. For those in states that allow online vet prescriptions, the vets at Dutch can provide prescriptions, including those available at their online pharmacy. Dutch will work with your primary care provider to share records when needed and to make sure your pet gets the highest quality care no matter the situation.

Best for: All health conditions that do not specifically require an in-person visit 

Available on: Any platform that supports video calling

Cost: $11/month for up to 5 pets

Try Dutch today.

2. Vetster

Vetster offers two plans: their monthly subscription and a pay-by-appointment option. Appointments with their monthly subscription plan cover all of the pets in your family but are limited to four visits per year. It also limits follow-up messaging to the 48 hours following your pet’s appointment.

Best for: General health check-ups that do not require an in-person visit

Available on: Web, the App Store, and Google Play

Cost: $10/month billed annually for unlimited messaging and four visits per year (or pay by appointment)

3. Pawp

Pawp offers 24/7 care through their membership with unlimited visits available for up to six pets. Prescription visits are excluded from this but are available for an extra fee in available states. You can add on an emergency fund to your plan that covers up to $3000 for a single covered veterinary medicine emergency each year it’s active.

Best for: Pet parents who don’t need telehealth for prescriptions

Available on: The App Store and Google Play

Cost: Free one-month trial followed by an auto-billed annual fee of $99/year. Additional $35 fees are charged for each prescription visit.

4. Chewy

Though Chewy is not a full telemedicine platform, it does offer general on-call support for simple veterinary care issues where you just need a little expert advice. It’s also a hybrid platform designed to connect you with a local Chewy vet clinic for in-person visits to provide full veterinary care. Pet parents can opt for one-time payments or membership plans. 

Best for: Those looking for a hybrid option with on-call teleadvice support

Available on: Web and mobile

Cost: Varies by location and level of care

5. Virtual Veterinary Care

Virtual Veterinary Care offers access to online vets during their business hours (8am-5pm M-F and 10am-3pm on weekends). They provide appointments, messaging, at-home lab work, and teletriage that you can pay for via a membership or on a per-use basis. Their membership option covers two pets. 

Best for: Pet parents with only 1 or 2 pets who have a higher budget for veterinary care

Available on: Text messaging, call, or video

Cost: 

• $377.90 per year for a standard membership
• $556.99 per year for a premium membership
• Varying fees for one-time appointments

6. Airvet

Airvet is primarily a benefit provided by employers to their pet parent employees. It offers 24/7 access to online veterinarians and teletriage, which can help you decide if your pet needs to be seen in person in an emergency situation. Individuals without an employee benefit can access care through Airvet for either a one-time fee or a monthly subscription. 

Best for: Pet parents who receive this service as a part of their employee benefits package

Available on: App Store and Google Play

Cost: Costs vary by benefit package. For individuals, costs are $35/month for a membership or $75 for an on-demand video call. Fees for speaking to a vet of your choice vary by practice.

7. WholeHeart Pet

WholeHeart Pet is a 24/7 online vet available by video call. Though each membership can cover up to six pets, care is limited to only cats and dogs. Vets with this platform can provide advice, over-the-counter remedies, and teletriage to help you determine if your pet needs to be seen in person, but they do not prescribe medications.

Best for: Pet parents of cats and dogs who want a low-cost advice line

Available on: Video call with a backup phone-only consultation available

Cost: $9.99/month for up to 6 pets

8. VetTriage

VetTriage is a platform designed to reduce anxiety for pet parents facing a decision about how best to care for their pet. Vets on this platform are only available to offer advice on home care, scheduling an in-person vet appointment at the next available moment, or heading to the veterinary ER in an emergency. They cannot prescribe medications or provide follow-up care. 

Best for: Discerning what to do in an emergency

Available on: Web and mobile

Cost: One-time $50 fee for each session

9. WhiskerDocs

WhiskerDocs offers a variety of options for connecting with a vet 24/7, including email, chat, and phone. Some prescriptions may be provided in certain circumstances, but whiskerDocs may refer you to a vet in your state or your primary vet for preventative wellness medications or other prescriptions at their discretion. Pet parents can opt for a subscription with an annual fee, which covers one pet. Each additional pet can be added for an extra $40. 

Best for: Pet parents who receive whiskerDocs as a benefit

Available on: Phone, chat, and email

Cost: 

• $39.99 one-time payments for chat/phone visits 
• $4.99 per email 

• Annual subscriptions run $129.99 with additional costs per pet

Benefits of telemedicine for pets

Telemedicine for pets is a convenient way to ensure your pet gets the care they need right when they need it. You don’t have to worry about an anxious drive to the vet or putting your pet through the stress of the exam room. Instead, you can opt for an accessible, virtual way to get care from the comfort of your pet’s favorite place: your home. 

How to choose the right pet telemedicine provider

Identifying the right pet telemedicine provider comes down to a combination of accessibility, affordability, and quality. Here’s a list of many factors to consider as you make the choice that’s best for you as a pet parent and for your animal: 

• Vet credentials: Every practicing vet is required to have a DVM or VMD, the fundamental doctorate that trains a provider to be a vet. In addition to this degree, vets must also be licensed. You can also look for various board certifications and a Fear Free Certification, depending on what level of experience you prefer for your vet. 
• Wait time: Some virtual vets provide 24/7 access to care, eliminating the need for wait time. Consider how immediate your pet’s needs are alongside other factors in this list.
• Photo/video review: A virtual vet will frequently ask to review photos or videos of your pet’s condition, or they may want to examine the pet patient live on a video-based platform. 
• Follow-up support: Consider whether your online vet can provide follow-up treatment, like prescriptions or referrals, after the visit if needed. 
• Pet insurance coverage: If you have pet insurance, check to see if the pet telemedicine provider you are choosing will be covered under your plan. 
• Behavior & nutrition: Pet telemedicine providers can offer advice and direction on how to address new concerning behaviors or what the best nutrition is for your pet’s unique health profile. 
• Records sharing: Choose an online vet who will work with your pet’s primary care provider to provide records and updates after telemedicine visits.
• Prescription rules: Laws for online prescriptions can vary by state. Consult your state guidelines to determine if you can access prescriptions for your pet with virtual telemedicine. If you’re in a state where prescriptions are not available virtually, consider an online vet who can provide you immediate advice and refer you to an in-person visit with their notes on the case. 
• Cost & value: Many vet telemedicine providers can offer cheaper or more accessible ways to manage the cost of veterinary care, like subscription services. Consider what will work best for your budget.
• Refunds & cancelations: Be sure to carefully review the policies about refunds and cancelations before you choose an online telemedicine platform for your pet. 

When to use telemedicine for pets vs. in-person

Sometimes it’s very clear that a virtual visit will be enough for your pet, and the reverse is also true. Occasionally, an in-person visit is the only thing that will work to meet your pet’s specific needs. Consider these factors when deciding the right approach. 

Choose a virtual vet if:

• Your pet has mild symptoms that can be easily described or clearly shown in a picture or video, like skin issues, a cough, or a mild tummy upset
• Your pet needs a maintenance check-up for a long-term condition that requires no specific testing or in-person treatment

• You need expert advice on behavior changes or food choices

Choose an in-person visit if:

• You know your pet will need vaccines
• You know your pet will need blood work, like after a tick bite or to receive certain prescriptions

• Your animal needs a dental exam or treatment

Pet emergencies that require immediate care:

• Severe bleeding
• Inability to eat, drink, or eliminate waste
• Choking or difficulty breathing
• Suspected broken bones
• Poison consumption
• Heat stroke
• Seizures
• Eye injuries
• Inability to walk
• Unresponsiveness

• Severe vomiting or diarrhea 

Find the best telemedicine platform for your pet’s needs

The best telemedicine platform for your pet should combine availability with high-quality care and affordability. Look for options like coverage for multiple pets at one low cost, easy online options for prescription meds, preventative wellness help, and easy record sharing with your primary vet. Video messaging, follow-up care, and quick access anytime can help you feel like you’re never out of reach of the care your pet needs right when they need it.

Whether your pet needs an assessment for potential emergency care, a general health and wellness check-up, or anything in between, Dutch can provide the kind of high-quality care you expect as a pet parent. From the comfort of your home, you can get the advice and health care you need to keep your pet safe and feeling their best. 

Try a Dutch telemedicine appointment today.

Telemedicine for pets FAQs

What is the best online vet service?

Dutch’s easy-to-use subscription service covers up to five pets, making it a great choice for pet parents, especially those with a house full of pets. The veterinarians at Dutch are there anytime to assess your pet for simple wellness check-ups or help you decide if seeking in-person emergency care is the right choice. Many veterinary needs can be met right at home in a stress-free environment, but Dutch can also help you know when it’s time to work with your local vet for follow-up care when an in-person appointment is necessary. 

Is it cheaper to get a vet prescription online?

Yes, it’s frequently cheaper to get a veterinary prescription online. This is due to lower overhead costs and the online veterinary medicine companies’ ability to buy in bulk at lower wholesale prices. The overhead and smaller size of in-person vet clinics typically raises the prices of prescriptions you get at your local vet clinic.

Can a virtual vet prescribe antibiotics?

Yes, virtual vets in many states can prescribe antibiotics when it makes sense to do so. Each state has its own laws allowing or restricting online vets’ ability to prescribe, and there may be even more complexity when prescribing antibiotics due to the seriousness of some infections. 

In some states, vets are required to establish a clear veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) before prescribing medication virtually. This may require an in-person visit before renewing or prescribing medication from a distance. Some states have no restrictions on virtual providers prescribing, and others restrict it completely. 

Even in states where veterinary telemedicine has few or no restrictions, your vet may refer your pet for testing prior to providing antibiotics. This can be due to the seriousness of the symptoms or it may be unclear exactly what strain of infectious bacteria your pet is dealing with. Testing to ensure your vet prescribes the right antibiotic can help your pet get better faster and also prevent the larger issue of antibiotic resistance.

What are the drawbacks of using an online vet?

Online vets cannot provide routine treatments or preventative care that requires in-person interaction. Vaccines and blood work simply cannot be done over the internet, nor can dental cleanings or emergency interventions like setting a broken bone. Choose an online vet who will partner with your primary care provider to give your pet a team approach, with the calm and convenience of a virtual visit whenever possible and in-person care when necessary.

Does pet insurance cover telemedicine?

Most pet insurance plans do cover telemedicine, though not all will cover veterinary care provided by outside companies. Some insurance plans only cover their own internal vet hotline, and others will accept notes from the online vet you choose. 

Companies may also require an add-on plan to cover your pet’s online veterinary care. You can check your specific plan to determine the level of coverage available to you and decide what will work best for you and your pets.  

What states allow telemedicine for pets?

Many states allow some form of veterinary telemedicine for pets. Here’s a table showing the breakdown of which states allow which kind of online veterinary care at the time of writing.

Laws can change, and online veterinary care may become more accessible in the future. Continue to watch for developments and accessibility changes in your state.