Best veterinarians in Denver, CO
This ranks the 15 highest-scoring veterinary practices in Denver by our methodology, which weighs rating, review volume, recency, and sentiment together. The list favors full-service clinics that handle wellness, dental, and surgical care under one roof, so a practice built around anxious-pet handling and clear communication rises above one that's merely busy.
Emergency clinics and a hospice/transport service appear here because they scored high enough to rank overall, but if you specifically need urgent care, see best emergency & urgent care vet. Specialty needs like exotic pets or dental-heavy cases are covered separately in best exotic & avian veterinary care and best veterinary dentistry.
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkeley Animal Hospital | 93 | 5 (169) | — | Anxious pets, fast scheduling |
| 2 | Wellshire Animal Hospital | 93 | 4.9 (351) | — | Long-term family vet relationship |
| 3 | Livewell Animal Hospital of Sloan Lake | 92 | 5 (141) | — | Value without sacrificing care |
| 4 | VEG ER for Pets | 91 | 4.8 (2062) | — | Emergency care with a personal touch |
| 5 | Hampden Family Pet Hospital | 91 | 4.8 (1170) | — | Dental work and senior pet care |
| 6 | VEG ER for Pets | 91 | 4.9 (349) | — | Complex emergency surgery |
| 7 | Animal Health Care Denver | 90 | 4.7 (562) | — | Nervous dogs needing trust-building |
| 8 | Park Animal Hospital and Wellness Center | 89 | 4.7 (495) | — | Aging dogs and end-of-life decisions |
| 9 | CVCA Alameda East | 89 | 5 (142) | — | Cardiac diagnosis and treatment |
| 10 | Denver Animal Hospital | 89 | 4.7 (281) | — | Difficult or frightened rescue pets |
| 11 | PetVet365 Pet Hospital Denver/Westminster | 89 | 4.9 (160) | — | Fear Free certified visits |
| 12 | The Center for Animal Wellness | 89 | 4.9 (897) | — | Cost-conscious diagnostic planning |
| 13 | Belcaro Animal Hospital | 89 | 4.8 (754) | — | Decades-long family trust |
| 14 | Founders Green Animal Hospital | 89 | 4.8 (275) | — | Rescue and senior pet patience |
| 15 | Pet Medical Transport | 88 | 5 (61) | — | At-home euthanasia and transport |
Ranked picks
Berkeley Animal Hospital
Why it ranks first
A perfect 5.0 rating across 169 reviews and the top composite score in Denver come from a clinic reviewers describe as personal rather than corporate. Same-day and weekend appointments plus upfront pricing round out a practice that clearly delivers on both care quality and convenience.
Pros
- Calm, skilled handling of anxious or frightened pets
- Transparent pricing discussed before treatment
- Same-day and weekend appointments available
- Staff take time to explain options thoroughly
Watch out: Verification confidence is medium, so the review base, while glowing, is smaller than some competitors.
Services: general veterinary, dental vet, emergency vet, exotic avian vet
Wellshire Animal Hospital
Why it ranks second
With 351 reviews at 4.9 stars, Wellshire has the review volume to back its high score, and reviewers single out Dr. Monica Watterud and Dr. Molly Cominsky for catching things other vets miss. One client has followed Dr. Watterud for 30 years, which says a lot about the continuity of care here.
Pros
- Thorough exams that catch overlooked problems
- Named vets praised for both skill and calm demeanor
- Gentle with aggressive or nervous animals
- Reasonable prices, including budget vaccine packages
Services: general veterinary, dental vet, emergency vet, exotic avian vet
Livewell Animal Hospital of Sloan Lake
Why it ranks third
Every reviewer in this dataset praises the warmth of the Sloan Lake team, and pricing that beats competitors by thousands on major procedures makes this a standout for cost-conscious owners. Dr. Z and Dr. Coleman, along with techs Katie, Greta, and Jade, get named repeatedly for patience with anxious animals.
Pros
- Fear-free, low-stress handling techniques
- Pricing significantly below other Denver clinics
- Unhurried appointments with thorough communication
- Clean, well-organized facility
Watch out: Medium confidence rating reflects a smaller review base than the largest practices on this list.
Services: fear free vet, general veterinary, dental vet, emergency vet
VEG ER for Pets
Why it ranks fourth
Over 2,000 reviews at 4.8 stars make this one of the most reviewed practices in Denver, and owners consistently say the emergency care felt personal rather than rushed. Named vets Dr. Carrara, Dr. Sotiropoulos, Dr. Kim, and Dr. Haake are credited with staying emotionally present through overnight stays and complex cases.
Pros
- Owners can stay with pets throughout treatment
- 24/7 emergency availability
- Text updates during hospitalization
- Handles exotic pets in addition to cats and dogs
Services: mobile house call vet, emergency vet, low cost vet, general veterinary
Hampden Family Pet Hospital
Why it ranks fifth
With 1,170 reviews at 4.8 stars, Hampden combines high volume with consistently strong sentiment, particularly around dental procedures and end-of-life support. Vets sit on the floor to examine anxious or senior pets, and reviewers credit the clinic with extending pets' lives or easing difficult transitions.
Pros
- Staff remember pets and owners by name
- Clear upfront pricing and cost estimates
- Post-operative follow-up calls after surgery
- Minimal wait times
Services: general veterinary, veterinary surgery, dental vet, emergency vet
VEG ER for Pets
Why it ranks sixth
This second VEG location matches strong ratings (4.9 from 349 reviews) with specific praise for surgeons Dr. Haake and Dr. Bluhm handling complex emergency cases. Reviewers accept the higher emergency costs given the surgical skill and bedside manner on display.
Pros
- Surgeon expertise for complex emergency cases
- Owners allowed to stay during treatment and recovery
- Rapid intake and stabilization during busy nights
- Transparent cost discussion before proceeding
Watch out: Emergency pricing runs high, a recurring theme in reviews even among satisfied clients.
Services: emergency vet, exotic avian vet, dental vet
Animal Health Care Denver
Why it ranks seventh
Reviewers who've stayed a decade or more highlight Dr. Nikki, Dr. Z, and Dr. Baum for patiently earning the trust of nervous dogs rather than rushing exams. Fear-free practices are documented in patient charts, and pricing undercuts larger competitors while still covering surgical, dental, and diagnostic services in-house.
Pros
- Fear-free handling documented per patient
- Named vets with long client retention
- Pricing below larger competitors
- Payment plans available
Services: general veterinary, fear free vet, dental vet, emergency vet
Park Animal Hospital and Wellness Center
Why it ranks eighth
Long-term clients trust Dr. Chris Spears and her team with major decisions for aging pets, and the practice backs that trust with on-time appointments and a house-call euthanasia option. Reviewers note the clinic respects owner input rather than pushing unnecessary tests.
Pros
- House-call euthanasia service available
- On-time appointments, minimal waiting
- On-site laser therapy
- Staff handle anxious dogs without force
Services: general veterinary, fear free vet, veterinary surgery, dental vet
CVCA Alameda East
Why it ranks ninth
A perfect 5.0 rating from 142 reviews reflects two board-certified cardiologists, Dr. LaFauci and Dr. Sharpe, who reviewers credit with clear explanations of heart conditions and genuine emotional support during hard diagnoses. Modern diagnostic equipment and follow-up calls days after visits reinforce the specialist-level care here.
Pros
- Two ACVIM board-certified cardiologists on staff
- Visual, hands-on education during exams
- Follow-up calls and condolence cards after visits
- Named techs praised for gentle handling of anxious pets
Watch out: One reviewer reported medication management gaps in an epilepsy case, including missed refills tied to 30-day prescription limits.
Services: general veterinary, emergency vet, exotic avian vet, dental vet
Denver Animal Hospital
Why it ranks tenth
Named vets Dr. Casey, Dr. Miles, Dr. Ackley, Dr. Tadros, and Dr. Rojas are repeatedly credited with adapting rooms and procedures for anxious pets, including meeting a frightened rescue outside the clinic. Many families have stayed for years or decades, a sign the follow-through on illness, recovery, and end-of-life decisions holds up over time.
Pros
- Adapts exam rooms and procedures for anxious pets
- Long-term care relationships spanning decades
- Reasonable prices, no rushed visits
- Follow-up communication after emergencies
Services: general veterinary, dental vet, emergency vet, exotic avian vet
PetVet365 Pet Hospital Denver/Westminster
Why it ranks #11
Rooms built with couches, toys, and treats reflect a Fear Free certification that reviewers say is lived daily rather than used as marketing. Named vets Dr. Tan, Dr. Ashley, Dr. Sarah, Dr. Hilliard, and Dr. Brandt, along with tech Emrys, get credit for persistence with reactive and anxious animals.
Pros
- Fear Free certified environment and staff
- Exam rooms designed for pet comfort
- Follow-up texts and post-visit check-ins standard
- High tolerance for anxious or reactive pets
Watch out: One vague one-star review offered no specifics, so it's hard to weigh against the otherwise strong sentiment.
Services: fear free vet, emergency vet, exotic avian vet, dental vet
The Center for Animal Wellness
Why it ranks #12
With 897 reviews at 4.9 stars, this practice draws praise for vets like Dr. Jeanne Herz, Dr. Sarah Llewellyn, Dr. Bleakley, Dr. Courtney, and Dr. Andy who brainstorm cost-effective diagnostic options rather than defaulting to the most expensive path. Staff communicate by phone and email outside paid visits, which long-time patients cite as a reason they've stayed.
Pros
- Vets discuss cost-effective diagnostic alternatives
- Willing to communicate outside scheduled visits
- Named doctors with strong reputations for patience
- Long patient retention across multiple pet types
Watch out: One long-time patient reported recent record-keeping errors and slower lab result delivery.
Services: mobile house call vet, low cost vet, general veterinary, fear free vet
Belcaro Animal Hospital
Why it ranks #13
77 years in operation and 754 reviews at 4.8 stars make Belcaro one of Denver's most established practices, with Dr. Sweet, Dr. Bechtold, and Dr. Herman named for patience with anxious rescue dogs. Fair pricing and a willingness to explore non-surgical alternatives keep families returning across generations of pets.
Pros
- 77 years serving Denver families
- Quick appointments, no long waits
- Fair pricing with alternatives to costly surgery
- Gentle with anxious or traumatized animals
Watch out: One reviewer noted a vet who seemed anxious and disengaged, and another mentioned incomplete medication dispensing.
Services: low cost vet, general veterinary, dental vet, emergency vet
Founders Green Animal Hospital
Why it ranks #14
Dr. Mills draws consistent praise for slowing down with anxious and rescue animals, and the Central Park location pulls clients from across Denver, including two-year regulars whose pets pull toward the building. Follow-up cards after euthanasia and calls to offer earlier appointments show attention that extends past the visit itself.
Pros
- Patience with anxious, rescue, and senior pets
- Quick appointment availability, flexible timing
- Personal follow-up after euthanasia and treatment
- Clear explanation of options over pushing tests
Watch out: One visiting doctor's poor communication style soured an otherwise loyal customer's experience.
Services: general veterinary, emergency vet, exotic avian vet, dental vet
Pet Medical Transport
Why it ranks #15
Dr. Lu Strom's at-home euthanasia and transport service earns a 5.0 rating from 61 reviews for calm, respectful presence during one of the hardest moments of pet ownership. Families who called multiple competitors chose her for her phone manner rather than lowest cost, and CAETA certification backs the compassionate-care approach.
Pros
- CAETA-certified compassionate euthanasia care
- Emergency hospital transport with oxygen support
- Covers Denver metro from Arvada to Littleton
- Answers calls outside normal hours
Watch out: Smaller review count (61) than most others on this list, though sentiment is uniformly strong.
Services: mobile house call vet, emergency vet