Choosing the Best Dog Veterinarian in Denver, CO: 10 Tips

A photo of Sploot’s veterinary clinic’s reception area, one of the best dog veterinarians or vet clinics in Denver, Colorado
No items found.

Whether you are new to the area or seeking a better veterinarian for your needs, the abundance of choices in Denver, Colorado, can be both exciting and overwhelming. Where does a pet parent begin? What factors will actually impact your dog’s health and well-being? 

In this guide, we answer all of these questions, helping pet parents find the best dog veterinarian in Denver, Colorado, for their needs.

1. Find a Full-Service Dog Vet in Denver

All-in-one, full-service vet clinics for dogs are a life-changer and, in some cases, a lifesaver as well. But why does it matter so much? It’s because a majority of dog parents have been in one or more of the following situations: 

  • Not knowing whether to go to a primary care or an emergency vet
  • Being unsure if the case is ‘serious enough’ for a vet ER
  • Going to a primary care vet only to find out that urgent care is needed

Sploot Veterinary Care offers a solution to all of the above challenges with a network of full-service dog vet clinics in the Denver Metro Area. Our experienced veterinarians provide primary care, urgent care, and even emergency stabilization services (at a fraction of the cost of vet ERs), all under one roof. We handle more than 90 percent of your dog’s healthcare needs, making pet parenting easier than ever before. 

2. Opt for Same-Day Availability, 365 Days a Year

At Sploot, our doors are open 365 days a year. We offer same-day urgent care as well as primary care vet visits, which can be same-day, next-day, or scheduled in advance, depending on your needs. 

For many pet parents, daily appointment availability makes pet parenting so much easier, and it gives them peace of mind, knowing there is always someone to call for help. For these reasons alone, this is a feature worth looking for when choosing the best dog veterinarian in Denver, Colorado.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that pet accidents can happen during weekends and holidays. While pet parents always do their best, accidents don’t pick a time. We’ve treated dogs who had sprains from a weekend session of frisbee, gastric upset from Thanksgiving dinner, issues from Halloween decor, and other similar issues. We are always happy to be there when it matters most (even on holidays).

A photo of a pet parent getting a same-day veterinary appointment at Sploot Veterinary Care, one of the best dog veterinarians or vet clinics in Denver, Colorado

3. A Network of Vet Clinics: When Is It a Good Thing?

A network of vet clinics in and of itself is not the only thing to look for. What matters more is how the network of vet clinics supports each other. 

In Sploot’s case, our numerous dog vet clinics in Denver are founder-led, locally owned, and unified in what matters most: consistency of care, pricing transparency, daily availability, state-of-the-art facilities, and our Fear Free approach—just to name a few.

This means that you get the same top-tier care in any Sploot Veterinary Care location, whether you need dog veterinary care in Denver, Highlands Ranch, Arvada, Lakewood, Aurora, Colorado Springs, and so on.

4. In-House Diagnostics: Do You Need It?

As an all-in-one, full-service dog veterinary clinic, Sploot has in-house vet diagnostics. Is this something that most pet parents actually need? Does it make a difference? The answer to both is: yes. 

Many pet parents benefit from in-house veterinary diagnostics because it takes the guesswork out of veterinary care, providing fast answers when needed. These can include blood tests, fecalysis, urinalysis, X-rays, and ultrasounds, which can be used during routine visits, sick visits, and urgent care visits, depending on your dog’s needs. 

When utilized by experienced veterinary professionals, diagnostic capabilities lead to targeted treatment—and can even save lives. Here are examples of how in-house veterinary diagnostics can make a huge difference for a dog’s care:

  • If a dog’s ear infection is recurrent or chronic, diagnostics and cytology can shed light on the root cause, providing targeted treatment with long-term improvements.
  • If a dog has ingested a foreign object, in-house X-rays help locate and view the object, which informs any emergency surgery recommendations, all within a matter of minutes.
  • If a dog’s health is rapidly declining for unclear reasons, access to in-house diagnostics helps veterinarians make a conclusive diagnosis faster, resulting in potentially lifesaving targeted treatment. (Read more - Journeys with Sploot: How Pinpoint Accuracy Saved Aspen's Life)
A photo of one of Sploot’s veterinary professionals looking at an X-ray, available in-house at Sploot Veterinary Care, one of the best dog veterinarians or vet clinics in Denver, Colorado

5. For Busy Pet Parents: Look for the Drop-Off Option

With dogs, severe health issues and unexpected injuries can happen at any time. When there’s no one else who can bring your dog to the vet for urgent care, other obligations may need to take a backseat—unless you have a Denver dog vet that offers drop-off urgent care intake, like Sploot. 

So, how exactly does drop-off urgent care work? At Sploot, you simply need to:

  1. Call our team to arrange a drop-off urgent care intake
  2. Once the intake is all set, you can bring your pup to the clinic; we will be prepared to treat your dog promptly upon arrival. 
  3. Should you need to leave at any point, your dog is in good hands. We will continue to administer treatment and monitoring, plus update you via text or call on their progress.

6. Get A Denver Dog Vet for All Life Stages: Puppy to Senior

Dogs have vastly different healthcare needs at every stage of life, which is why it’s important to choose a Denver dog veterinarian who can support your furry companion from puppyhood through their senior years.

Building a long-term relationship with a full-service dog vet in Denver helps ensure continuity of care. You will be able to navigate different dog life stages with personalized care at every stage.

At Sploot, here are key considerations we take for each canine life stage: 

  1. Puppies– early veterinary care focuses on vaccinations needed for Denver, parasite prevention, nutrition guidance, behavioral support, and spay/neuter discussions
  2. Adult Dogs– routine care, dental care, weight management, and preventive screenings become essential for maintaining overall health
  3. Senior Dog – may need more advanced screening for conditions like arthritis, mobility changes, dental disease, cognitive decline, and chronic illnesses.

7. A Fear Free Denver Dog Vet for Calmer Vet Visits

Are you tired of vet visits that leave your dog stressed out, tired, and fearful? If so, it may be best to look for a Fear Free Denver dog vet. Whether you have a fearful puppy, a nervous rescue dog, a senior dog, or a dog with anxiety, Fear Free veterinary care can make a huge difference in how they experience vet visits.

Fear Free veterinary care focuses on reducing stress, anxiety, and fear during appointments through gentle handling techniques, calming environments, and positive reinforcement. This helps maintain your dog’s well-being; plus, when dogs feel more comfortable during exams, veterinary teams can often perform evaluations more effectively.

At Sploot, here’s how we maintain a Fear Free veterinary approach to help puppies and dogs stay calm during vet visits:

  • Our veterinarians practice gentle handling techniques and positive reinforcement
  • We allow ample time for each vet visit, which can help dogs acclimate before the procedures.
  • We have private waiting rooms, which are extra beneficial for puppies, anxious dogs, and senior dogs
  • We offer free treats from the treat bar, plus toys for your canine companion
A photo of a happy dog at Sploot Veterinary Care, one of the best Fear Free dog veterinarians or vet clinics in Denver, Colorado

8. Pet Care Membership Option for More Affordable Care

When choosing a dog veterinarian in Denver, ask if they offer any pet care memberships or plans. These can help you save on essential veterinary care for your dog. While most memberships are for wellness-only (aka wellness plans), some memberships, like the one at Sploot, have a broader scope. 

With the SplootPack™ membership, you can get next-level veterinary care from Sploot Vets, with savings of up to $650+ per year. This membership gives you 3 FREE wellness exams, 15% off dental procedures, and 10% off ALL other veterinary services. Plus, you get a 25% discount for spay/neuter procedures. Learn more about SplootPack™ today!

Note: SplootPack™ discounts apply to all locations within its corresponding state. So if you happen to need veterinary care in nearby suburbs (e.g., Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada) or even Colorado Springs, you can get the same top-tier care at Sploot with SplootPack’s exclusive savings.

9. Check The Quality of Follow-Up Care

If your fur baby is sick or has just gone through an urgent care case, the situation can be stressful, making it difficult to take note of all the veterinarian’s instructions when it’s time to go home. This is why it’s important to look at the quality of a clinic’s follow-up care.

With this in mind, our team at Sploot emails post-care instructions to you after your dog’s or puppy’s vet visit. The same notes can be accessed through the Sploot Vets app

Plus, if you have any questions about your dog’s or puppy’s health, our team is always just a call or text away. (Call and text options are available for each Denver vet clinic’s phone number).

10. A Denver Dog Vet Close to Dog-Friendly Establishments

We choose all our locations carefully. Accessibility and easy parking are important. Plus, many of our Denver dog vet clinics are near dog-friendly restaurants, cafes, and parks. So if you’d like to spend quality time with your pup after a vet visit, you can easily explore some nearby dog-friendly spots. (Just a friendly reminder to keep your dog’s vaccines updated to stay safe!)

A photo of a dog not wanting to leave Sploot Veterinary Care, one of the best Fear Free dog vet clinics in Denver, Colorado

Is Sploot Vets the Best Denver Clinic for Your Dog or Puppy?

Many pet parents have chosen us as the best vet clinic for their dog’s or puppy’s care because we meet all of the above criteria—and more! If you’re curious whether or not Sploot is the best Denver dog vet for your fur baby, we invite you to visit us and experience our next-level care for yourself! 

Choose the nearest Denver vet clinic and swing by and say hello to our friendly team. You can also schedule a vet visit online or call us at (720) 770-8656 for questions or urgent concerns.