Best veterinarians in Denver, CO
This list ranks the 15 highest-scoring general and multi-service veterinary practices in Denver by our methodology, which weighs rating, review volume, recency, sentiment, and verification together rather than star rating alone.
Emergency-only clinics and cardiology specialists appear here too since they scored high enough to make the cut, but if you want practices ranked specifically for crisis care or large-animal needs, see our lists of the best emergency & urgent care and best equine & large animal vet providers.
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) | — | Surgical expertise with real rapport |
| 3 | Livewell Animal Hospital of Sloan Lake | 92 | 5 (141) | — | Budget-conscious fear-free care |
| 4 | VEG ER for Pets | 91 | 4.8 (2062) | — | True 24/7 emergency crises |
| 5 | Hampden Family Pet Hospital | 91 | 4.8 (1170) | — | Family-style continuity of care |
| 6 | VEG ER for Pets | 91 | 4.9 (350) | — | High-acuity emergencies, families staying by side |
| 7 | The Center for Animal Wellness | 89 | 4.9 (897) | — | Cost-conscious diagnostics and chronic illness |
| 8 | Animal Health Care Denver | 89 | 4.7 (562) | — | Reactive pets on a budget |
| 9 | Park Animal Hospital and Wellness Center | 89 | 4.7 (495) | — | Long-term care and end-of-life support |
| 10 | Alameda Veterinary Clinic | 89 | 4.7 (449) | — | Senior pets and long-time clients |
| 11 | CVCA Alameda East | 89 | 5 (142) | — | Cardiac specialty referrals |
| 12 | Denver Animal Hospital | 89 | 4.7 (281) | — | Specialist surgery plus home hospice |
| 13 | Founders Green Animal Hospital | 89 | 4.8 (275) | — | Central Park convenience, proactive follow-up |
| 14 | State Of The Heart Veterinary Care | 88 | 4.9 (170) | — | Solo-vet consistency, same-day visits |
| 15 | Pet Medical Transport | 88 | 5 (62) | — | At-home euthanasia and pet transport |
Ranked picks
Berkeley Animal Hospital
Why it ranks first
Berkeley tops the list on a perfect 5.0 from 169 reviews, with reviewers describing exams that never feel rushed and pricing that stays honest. Same-day Saturday slots and private exam rooms built for frightened cats push it past larger competitors on sentiment.
Pros
- Staff skilled at calming frightened cats and anxious pets
- Same-day Saturday emergency slots
- Transparent pricing and honest recommendations
- Private exam rooms reduce pet stress
Watch out: Medium confidence score, so the review base is smaller than some rivals lower on this list.
Services: general vet, dental vet, surgery vet, emergency vet
Wellshire Animal Hospital
Why it ranks second
Wellshire pairs a high-volume track record (351 reviews, 4.9 stars) with named vets who reviewers credit for catching missed diagnoses and explaining every step. It handles the full spectrum from puppy visits to laparoscopic surgery, with reviewer loyalty spanning three decades.
Pros
- Dr. Monica Watterud and Dr. Molly Cominsky named repeatedly for skill and warmth
- Catches missed diagnoses and early-stage issues
- Calm handling of fearful or aggressive dogs
- Transparent cost breakdowns from the front desk
Services: general vet, dental vet, surgery vet, emergency vet
Livewell Animal Hospital of Sloan Lake
Why it ranks third
Every review on record is five stars, and reviewers single out Dr. Z and Dr. Coleman for patience with rescue and anxious dogs. Prices come in lower than expected, which combined with a clean, organized facility explains why one reviewer drives 30 minutes past closer clinics to get here.
Pros
- Fear-free approach with anxious and rescue dogs
- Named vets known for clear explanations
- Competitive pricing versus other Denver clinics
- Same-day or next-day urgent appointments
Watch out: Medium confidence: strong 141-review base but smaller than the top two.
Services: dental vet, general vet, surgery vet, emergency vet
VEG ER for Pets
Why it ranks fourth
With over 2,000 reviews at 4.8 stars, VEG's Denver location handles everything from foxtail injuries to critical hospitalizations, letting owners stay through treatment and calling with updates during overnight stays. Reviewers repeatedly note the same level of care is given to every pet simultaneously, even in chaos.
Pros
- True 24/7 emergency availability
- Owners can stay with pets during entire treatment
- Handles exotic pets in emergency settings
- Status updates and follow-up calls during hospitalization
Watch out: Open-bay layout means reactive dogs may see other animals being treated.
Services: exotic vet, emergency vet, general vet, low cost vet
Hampden Family Pet Hospital
Why it ranks fifth
Over 1,170 reviews at 4.8 stars show deep, sustained loyalty, with Dr. Begin, Dr. Sartori, Dr. Spadaro, and Dr. Etheridge named for attentiveness across routine visits, emergencies, and end-of-life care. Follow-up communication and same-day results come up again and again.
Pros
- Multiple named vets praised for compassion and skill
- Strong follow-up communication and same-day results
- No-rush approach to exams and questions
- Clear pricing and transparent treatment planning
Services: general vet, dental vet, emergency vet, exotic vet
VEG ER for Pets
Why it ranks sixth
This VEG location scores 4.9 from 350 reviews, with owners praising the team for keeping families at their pet's side during critical treatment while explaining costs upfront. Named staff like Dr. Haake, Dr. Bluhm, and nurses Carri, Kendall, and Joanne get credit for staying calm even at capacity.
Pros
- Owners can stay with pets during treatment
- Rapid assessment even when the clinic is packed
- Transparent cost discussions before treatment begins
- Named surgeons and specialists on staff
Watch out: Emergency pricing runs high, as is typical for this level of care.
Services: general vet, emergency vet, exotic vet, equine livestock vet
The Center for Animal Wellness
Why it ranks seventh
Nearly 900 reviews at 4.9 stars back a practice where Dr. Jeanne Herz, Dr. Sarah Llewellyn, Dr. Bleakley, Dr. Courtney, and Dr. Andy are named for brainstorming affordable diagnostic paths and following up outside paid visits. A recent complaint about record errors and delayed test results is worth weighing against the broader track record.
Pros
- Vets spend time brainstorming cost-effective diagnostics
- Multiple named vets with a consistent compassionate approach
- Flexible emergency scheduling including same-day Saturday slots
- Follow-up via email and calls outside visits
Watch out: A recent reviewer flagged record-keeping errors and delayed test result communication.
Services: general vet, low cost vet, house call vet, dental vet
Animal Health Care Denver
Why it ranks eighth
At 4.7 stars across 562 reviews, this clinic earns trust from owners of anxious or reactive animals thanks to Fear Free protocols and named vets like Dr. Z, Dr. Nikki, Dr. Baum, and Dr. Sayer. Pricing runs notably below typical Denver rates, with one owner citing a $204 X-ray versus a $900 quote elsewhere.
Pros
- Fear Free practice protocols for anxious pets
- Transparent pricing below Denver market rates
- Named veterinarians known for gentleness
- Payment plans available through an app
Services: general vet, low cost vet, dental vet, surgery vet
Park Animal Hospital and Wellness Center
Why it ranks ninth
Over a decade of reviews (4.7 stars, 495 reviews) point to Dr. Chris Spears as a steady presence, praised for balancing clinical knowledge with genuine care during both routine visits and euthanasia. Scheduling stays reliable and on time, with no complaints surfacing in recent reviews.
Pros
- Dr. Chris Spears delivers long-term continuity of care
- Calm, consistent handling of anxious and aging pets
- Compassionate end-of-life support
- Transparent communication about treatment options
Services: general vet, low cost vet, dental vet, surgery vet
Alameda Veterinary Clinic
Why it ranks tenth
Six years of community trust and 449 reviews at 4.7 stars reflect a clinic where Dr. MacKenzie, Dr. Howard, Dr. Haleigh, and techs like Stephanie keep nervous dogs calm and seniors comfortable. Reviewers note the practice kept its reputation intact through a change in ownership.
Pros
- 16+ year patient retention in the community
- Same-day emergency access for existing patients
- Gentle with anxious and elderly animals
- Named vets known for listening and attentive care
Services: general vet, low cost vet, dental vet, surgery vet
CVCA Alameda East
Why it ranks #11
A perfect 5.0 from 142 reviews reflects a cardiology-focused practice where Dr. LaFauci and Dr. Sharpe walk owners through echocardiogram results on overhead screens and sketch explanations by hand. Clients drive long distances for annual checkups, citing responsive email follow-up after medication changes.
Pros
- Board-certified cardiologists (ACVIM)
- Live echocardiogram interpretation with owner involvement
- Responsive email communication and proactive follow-up
- Specialist coordination for complex cases
Watch out: One serious outlier review raised medication management concerns under a different provider at the practice.
Services: general vet, emergency vet, exotic vet, equine livestock vet
Denver Animal Hospital
Why it ranks #12
At 4.7 stars across 281 reviews, this privately owned hospital covers cardiology, internal medicine, and surgical work like TPLO and laser therapy, alongside home hospice for end-of-life care. Dr. Casey, Dr. Miles, Dr. Tadros, and Dr. Ackley get credit from long-term clients for managing chronic illness with an unhurried approach.
Pros
- Privately owned with long-term client relationships
- Specialized surgical and medical services on-site
- Home hospice and end-of-life care available
- Accommodates anxious and fearful animals
Services: equine livestock vet, general vet, low cost vet, dental vet
Founders Green Animal Hospital
Why it ranks #13
At 4.8 stars from 275 reviews, Dr. Mills and Dr. Erin stand out for explaining options clearly and following up with handwritten notes after difficult visits. Staff proactively call to offer earlier slots when pets need more time, though one reviewer described a rushed, dismissive interaction with a different doctor.
Pros
- Dr. Mills and Dr. Erin known for patience and clear communication
- Staff proactively offer earlier slots for complex cases
- Personalized follow-up including cards after difficult visits
- Convenient Central Park location
Watch out: One reviewer described a different doctor as speaking too fast and becoming dismissive when asked to slow down.
Services: general vet, surgery vet, emergency vet, exotic vet
State Of The Heart Veterinary Care
Why it ranks #14
This solo-vet practice scores 4.9 from 170 reviews, with Dr. Daughtry and staff named Mary, Jess, Holland, and Forest praised for attentiveness and same-day appointment access at reasonable prices. Two recent one-star reviews describing friction with the owner over communication are worth noting against an otherwise strong record.
Pros
- Solo-vet practice means consistency between visits
- Same-day emergency appointments available
- Staff trained to calm anxious animals
- Transparent pricing with no pressure upsell
Watch out: Two recent reviews describe dismissiveness and accountability gaps when disputes arose.
Services: general vet, surgery vet, emergency vet, exotic vet
Pet Medical Transport
Why it ranks #15
Every review in the past year praises Dr. Strom's calm, dignified approach to at-home euthanasia and emergency transport, a narrower service than the general-practice clinics above but a highly specialized one. A perfect 5.0 from 62 reviews and CAETA certification back her focus on unhurried, respectful farewells.
Pros
- At-home euthanasia performed with compassion and dignity
- Emergency transport with oxygen delivery capability
- Dr. Strom is CAETA-certified in companion animal euthanasia
- Unhurried process that allows family goodbyes
Watch out: Lower review volume than most on this list, and the service is narrower than a full-service vet hospital.
Services: house call vet, emergency vet