Mobile Vet Visit: What to Expect

Published on 07/25/2025

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Mobile vet visits are on the rise and expected to nearly double over the next decade—and it’s no surprise why (1). Whether you have a cat who hides the moment the carrier comes out or a senior dog who struggles with car rides, mobile veterinary visits can make a big difference for pets and their owners.

As a house call veterinarian myself, I’ve witnessed the comfort and convenience these visits provide, especially for pets who find clinic trips overwhelming. If you’re curious about mobile veterinary care—or wondering if it might be a good fit for your dog or cat—here’s everything you need to know before booking a visit.

What Is a Mobile Veterinarian?

A mobile or house call veterinarian is a fully licensed professional who provides veterinary services outside of a traditional veterinary clinic—usually at a pet’s home. These appointments offer the same medical expertise, just in a more familiar setting for the pet.

Some mobile veterinarians work from a vehicle outfitted as a miniature veterinary clinic. Others carry their supplies inside and perform exams in the client’s home or backyard. In my practice, I offer both options, so pet parents can choose to have their pets examined either inside their home or in my van. The goal is the same: compassionate, high-quality care with less stress for both pets and their people.

How Do I Find Mobile Vets Near Me?

The best way to find a mobile veterinarian is to perform an online search. Using the keywords “mobile veterinarians near me” or “house call veterinarian [insert your city name]” will usually turn up local options.

Before scheduling an appointment, it is important to check some important qualifications. First, check that the veterinarian is licensed to practice in your state. If you have a pet who is nervous, anxious, aggressive or fearful, choosing a veterinarian with a Fear Free certification is a good idea. Fear Free veterinarians, like myself, have gone through training that allows us to minimize the stress that many pets experience during veterinary visits. Using these techniques, I have been able to provide important care to pets who had previously been turned away from traditional veterinary practices.

You will also want to ensure that the mobile vet sees your species of pet. Most practices see cats and dogs but not all practices will see other “pocket pets” such as guinea pigs, rabbits, etc.

Once you’ve selected a mobile veterinarian, it’s time to schedule your appointment. Some mobile vets offer online booking, so you can view their mobile vet clinic schedule and request a visit directly through their website. However, because of the logistics of scheduling mobile visits, you may need to call or text to set up an appointment.

Mobile Vet Services

Mobile veterinarians provide a wide range of services, often comparable to what you’d find in a veterinary hospital. These services often include:

Wellness exams and vaccinations
Treatment for minor illnesses or injuries
Bloodwork, urinalysis, and other lab tests
Pain management and senior pet care
Prescriptions for medications and preventatives
Travel health certificates
In-home euthanasia and end-of-life support

Every mobile veterinarian will differ a bit in the exact services they offer, so it’s important to let them know your needs prior to booking. Some mobile clinics are also equipped for advanced diagnostics like ultrasound or X-rays, but more complex procedures or surgeries are usually referred to a partner veterinary hospital.

Mobile Vet Visit: Benefits and Things to Consider

In my experience, many, if not most, pets would benefit from mobile veterinary visits. It is very common for cats and dogs to show significant signs of anxiety when approaching a veterinary clinic they have been to before. Signs of anxiety include shaking, vocalizing, refusing to walk inside the clinic doors, urinating and defecating, hiding, hissing, growling, tense body posture, etc. Brick-and-mortar veterinary clinics can be stressful due to loud sounds like dogs barking, the presence of pheromones from other stressed animals, slick flooring, and bright lighting.

Mobile vet visits offer unique advantages for certain pets and households. They may be especially helpful for:

Pets with anxiety or fear of the veterinary clinic (this includes almost all cats)
Senior pets or those with limited mobility
Pet parents with physical limitations or transportation challenges
Busy working pet parents
Households with multiple pets
End-of-life care that prioritizes comfort and familiarity.

Beyond convenience, house call vet visits allow for more personalized attention. As a veterinarian, I find that meeting pets in their home environment often helps me to understand their behavior and needs more clearly. For example, I may see that a senior cat who has begun urinating and defecating outside her litterbox is doing so because her litterbox is upstairs, and arthritis now makes it difficult to access.

While mobile veterinarians offer many benefits, there are some limitations to consider:

Emergency care: Mobile vet services are usually not designed for urgent or life-threatening emergencies. In these cases, a 24/7 veterinary emergency hospital is the best option.
Surgical procedures or hospitalization: While some mobile veterinary clinics use large RV-type vehicles with surgical suites, most do not. Pets who require surgery or intensive monitoring may need to be referred to a traditional clinic or specialty center.

Many mobile veterinarians work closely with local practices for referrals or follow-up care when needed.

What to Expect During Your Mobile Vet Appointment

Before your mobile vet appointment, you’ll receive instructions on how to prepare. Here’s how to get ready:

Choose a quiet, well-lit area in your home for the exam. I usually recommend a space where your pet feels calm—often a living room or a shaded backyard. For cats, I recommend a room that doesn’t have any furniture that they can hide underneath or behind. An enclosed hallway, office, or bathroom are usually good options for cats. If you don’t have an appropriate space inside your home, ask if the mobile veterinarian offers exams inside their vehicle.

Minimize distractions by turning off loud devices and securing other pets in another room.

Gather medical records and medications in advance, if available.

When I arrive, I typically start with a conversation about your pet’s health history and any recent concerns. Then, I perform a full physical exam and any necessary diagnostics. The visit may also include vaccinations, lab sample collection, or medication administration.

Mobile vet visits often last a bit longer than traditional clinic appointments, which allows time for questions and a more relaxed experience for your pet.

What Does a Mobile Vet Cost?

The cost of a mobile vet visit can vary depending on location, services provided, and travel distance. Most mobile veterinarians charge a house call fee to account for gas and travel time, in addition to the cost of the exam and treatments. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

House call and exam fee: $100–$300
Follow-up or recheck visits: $75–$175
Vaccinations, lab tests, and medications: Priced similarly to standard veterinary clinics
Low-cost vet mobile options: Some nonprofit organizations and community clinics operate mobile units that provide basic services at reduced rates.

While mobile care may seem more expensive at first glance, many pet parents find the added convenience, reduced stress, and personalized service well worth the cost.

In Conclusion

If you’ve been curious about using a mobile vet, I encourage you to give it a try—especially if your pet gets nervous at the clinic or has trouble traveling. A house call vet visit brings professional care directly to your doorstep and allows your pet to stay where they feel safest: home.

From my experience, mobile vet care leads to calmer pets, better conversations with pet parents, and a stronger bond between all of us.