Best veterinarians in Denver, CO
This is a ranked list of Denver's 15 best all-around veterinary practices, scored using our methodology, which weighs rating, review volume, recency, and sentiment together. It covers general and emergency vet care where most providers handle the full range of exams, diagnostics, dental, surgery, and follow-up.
Specialists in exotic and bird medicine are ranked separately on our best exotic & avian vet list, and practices focused on dental work have their own best veterinary dentistry ranking. This list favors clinics that cover the widest range of everyday and complex care well.
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkeley Animal Hospital | 93 | 5 (169) | — | Anxious pets, unhurried exams |
| 2 | Wellshire Animal Hospital | 93 | 4.9 (351) | — | Long-term diagnostics & loyalty |
| 3 | Livewell Animal Hospital of Sloan Lake | 92 | 5 (141) | — | Value plus fear-free handling |
| 4 | VEG ER for Pets | 91 | 4.8 (2061) | — | True emergencies, including exotics |
| 5 | Hampden Family Pet Hospital | 91 | 4.8 (1170) | — | Dental, surgery & acupuncture in one place |
| 6 | VEG ER for Pets | 90 | 4.9 (349) | — | Calm, transparent emergency care |
| 7 | The Center for Animal Wellness | 90 | 4.9 (897) | — | Owner-involved treatment decisions |
| 8 | Animal Health Care Denver | 89 | 4.7 (562) | — | Budget-conscious, fear-free care |
| 9 | Park Animal Hospital and Wellness Center | 89 | 4.7 (495) | — | Aging pets & end-of-life care |
| 10 | CVCA Alameda East | 89 | 5 (141) | — | Cardiac specialty cases |
| 11 | Denver Animal Hospital | 89 | 4.7 (281) | — | Multigenerational, long-term trust |
| 12 | Founders Green Animal Hospital | 89 | 4.8 (275) | — | Rescue pets & rapid scheduling |
| 13 | Goldsmith Veterinary Clinic | 88 | 4.8 (828) | — | AAHA-accredited, same-day visits |
| 14 | Pet Medical Transport | 88 | 5 (61) | — | In-home euthanasia & urgent transport |
| 15 | Sploot Veterinary Care - Platt Park | 88 | 4.8 (797) | — | Same-day urgent care, transparent pricing |
Ranked picks
Berkeley Animal Hospital
Why it ranks first
Every recent review is five stars, and the pattern holds across 169 of them: thorough exams, staff who can talk a nervous pet down, and pricing laid out with no pressure to upsell. It sits at the top of this list on the strength of consistent sentiment and a clinic that feels personal rather than corporate.
Pros
- Unhurried, thorough exams
- Staff skilled at calming anxious pets
- Upfront pricing with clear options
- Quick appointment availability
Watch out: Verification confidence is medium, so weigh the volume of reviews (169) against larger practices on this list.
Services: general veterinary, veterinary surgery, dental vet, low cost vet
Wellshire Animal Hospital
Why it ranks second
With 351 reviews and a 4.9 average, Wellshire earns its high confidence score. Owners describe Dr. Monica Watterud and Dr. Molly Cominsky catching early-stage cancers and fixing missed diagnoses from elsewhere, backed by follow-up emails that spell out actual treatment plans.
Pros
- Diagnostics that catch what other vets miss
- Staff trained for anxious or reactive animals
- $50 new client exams, 7-day hours
- Follow-up communication and care coordination
Services: general veterinary, veterinary surgery, dental vet, low cost vet
Livewell Animal Hospital of Sloan Lake
Why it ranks third
All 141 reviews are five stars, and reviewers repeatedly say pricing undercuts other Denver clinics by thousands while care doesn't feel cut-rate. Dr. Z and Dr. Coleman, plus techs Katie, Greta, and Jade, get named again and again for patience with reactive dogs.
Pros
- Fear-free, anxiety-aware handling
- Transparent pricing, no surprise fees
- Named vets and techs known for patience
- Next-day emergency appointments
Watch out: Some loyal clients drive 30+ minutes to get here, a sign of demand but worth planning around.
Services: general veterinary, emergency vet, veterinary surgery, dental vet
VEG ER for Pets
Why it ranks fourth
This is the highest-volume entry on the list at 2,061 reviews, and the sentiment holds up: owners stay with their pet the whole visit, get status texts, and receive follow-up help days later. It handles everything from breathing emergencies to exotic animals like ball pythons and guinea pigs.
Pros
- Owners stay with pets through the entire visit
- 24/7 emergency availability
- Exotic animal emergency care
- Named vets and techs, transparent costs
Watch out: The open-plan layout can feel exposed for reactive dogs, and this is built for genuine emergencies, not routine visits.
Services: general veterinary, emergency vet, veterinary surgery, low cost vet
Hampden Family Pet Hospital
Why it ranks fifth
At 1,170 reviews and a 4.8 rating, Hampden covers unusually broad ground: dental surgery, emergency trauma, and acupuncture alongside general exams, all with low wait times. Dr. Begin, Dr. Sartori, Dr. Spadaro, and Dr. Etheridge each get named for compassion and skill.
Pros
- No-rush appointments, low wait times
- Follow-up calls after procedures
- Named vets across multiple specialties
- Experienced with anxious and complex cases
Services: general veterinary, dental vet, low cost vet, emergency vet
VEG ER for Pets
Why it ranks sixth
A second VEG location, this one with 349 reviews at a 4.9 average, known for combining speed with real reassurance. Costs get quoted upfront, and named staff (Dr. Haake, Dr. Bluhm, Dr. Thaeder, nurses Carri, Kendall, Joanne) handle reactive animals with extra consideration.
Pros
- Transparent cost communication upfront
- Owners can stay with pets during care
- Minimal wait times despite high demand
- 24/7 emergency availability
Watch out: Emergency pricing runs high, though reviewers describe it as standard for the industry rather than a surprise.
Services: general veterinary, emergency vet, low cost vet, veterinary surgery
The Center for Animal Wellness
Why it ranks seventh
Nearly 900 reviews back a practice where vets like Jeanne Herz, Sarah Llewellyn, Dr. B, Dr. Bleakley, Dr. Courtney, and Dr. Andy get singled out for patience and detailed explanations. One recent review flagged record errors and slow lab result communication, which knocks it down slightly despite strong clinical praise.
Pros
- Vets known for bedside manner and detailed explanations
- Will follow up by phone or email outside visits
- Discusses cost-conscious diagnostic options
- Flexible same-day or weekend availability
Watch out: One reviewer reported record-keeping errors and slow communication on test results.
Services: general veterinary, emergency vet, veterinary surgery, dental vet
Animal Health Care Denver
Why it ranks eighth
Over a decade of loyalty and 562 reviews back a practice that will take 45 minutes with an anxious dog and price procedures 40-80% below larger chains. Dr. Z, Dr. Nikki Baum, and Dr. Sayer have built long relationships across cats, dogs, and mixed households.
Pros
- Fear-free certified approach
- Significantly lower pricing than other Denver clinics
- Named vets with 10+ year client relationships
- Flexible payment plans via app
Services: general veterinary, veterinary surgery, dental vet, holistic vet
Park Animal Hospital and Wellness Center
Why it ranks ninth
Reviewers highlight Dr. Chris Spears for ten-plus years of loyalty and a team that handles end-of-life decisions with real care. Services span surgery, dental, laser therapy, and holistic options, with 495 reviews at 4.7 stars supporting the range.
Pros
- Long-term vet relationships (Dr. Spears, Dr. Woodlock)
- Compassionate approach to anxious pets and end-of-life care
- Thorough exams with honest recommendations
- Surgery, dental, laser, and holistic options in one clinic
Services: general veterinary, veterinary surgery, dental vet, holistic vet
CVCA Alameda East
Why it ranks tenth
All 141 reviews are five stars for Dr. LaFauci's cardiology team, who let owners watch echocardiograms on the monitor while sketching out explanations. This is a specialist pick for heart conditions rather than a general practice, and it earns its place through detailed teaching and proactive follow-up.
Pros
- Board-certified cardiology specialist
- Real-time echocardiogram visualization during exams
- Proactive follow-up calls and emailed summaries
- Named techs (Kristina, Aiyana, Lexus) known for skill
Watch out: One negative review described a different provider's medication management as negligent, unrelated to the cardiology team itself.
Services: general veterinary, low cost vet, emergency vet, veterinary surgery
Denver Animal Hospital
Why it ranks #11
One reviewer calls this practice a trusted partner since 2007, and the pattern across 281 reviews backs that up: vets and techs remember individual animals and tailor exams accordingly. Dentistry, surgery, and wellness visits all draw praise for thoroughness without upselling.
Pros
- Private ownership, strong doctor-patient relationships
- Special accommodations for anxious or reactive pets
- Same-day appointments when needed
- Long-term care from puppyhood through end-of-life
Services: general veterinary, emergency vet, veterinary surgery, dental vet
Founders Green Animal Hospital
Why it ranks #12
Dr. Mills draws consistent praise for unhurried explanations and end-of-life compassion, and the Central Park clinic offers same-day slots for urgent cases across 275 reviews. Practice Manager Maria and the front desk team keep the culture cohesive even as staff pitch in wherever needed.
Pros
- Rapid appointment availability, including same-day
- Proactive outreach to confirm faster slots or check recovery
- Trauma-informed handling of anxious and rescue animals
- Conservative, clearly-priced diagnostic approach
Watch out: One reviewer described a rushed, dismissive interaction with a different doctor than their usual one.
Services: general veterinary, emergency vet, veterinary surgery, low cost vet
Goldsmith Veterinary Clinic
Why it ranks #13
Fifteen years of client loyalty and 828 reviews at 4.8 stars reflect a team that takes time calming nervous pets. One serious complaint about end-of-life communication (a prognosis miscommunication that led to a dog's death at home) is worth weighing against the otherwise strong track record.
Pros
- AAHA accredited
- Staff patience with nervous pets
- Named vets (Dr. Baxter, Dr. Norberg)
- Same-day appointment access
Watch out: One detailed complaint describes a breakdown in prognosis communication around an end-of-life case.
Services: general veterinary, veterinary surgery, low cost vet, emergency vet
Pet Medical Transport
Why it ranks #14
This is a specialty practice, not general vet care: Dr. Strom's team is universally praised across 61 reviews for turning one of the hardest moments pet owners face into something calm and dignified at home. The same team also handles urgent medical transport with oxygen support to emergency hospitals.
Pros
- Certified in companion animal euthanasia
- At-home end-of-life care reduces stress on surviving pets
- Oxygen support during emergency transport
- Condolence cards and unhurried family goodbyes
Watch out: Review volume (61) is lower than most others on this list, though sentiment is uniformly positive.
Services: emergency vet, low cost vet
Sploot Veterinary Care - Platt Park
Why it ranks #15
Staff here fit urgent cases in same-day and reviewers consistently praise pricing transparency across 797 reviews. One detailed complaint stands out: a missed weight-gain trend that turned out to be thyroid disease, and a dismissive response when it was raised, which is worth knowing going in.
Pros
- Same-day emergency and urgent appointments
- Transparent pricing without upselling
- Calm, clean environment
- Named vets (Dr. Vonch, Dr. Summers) for attentiveness
Watch out: One reviewer reported a missed thyroid diagnosis and high markup on in-house supplements.
Services: general veterinary, emergency vet, veterinary surgery, dental vet