So we’ve told you about the best vets in Columbus, OH and the best vets in San Francisco, CA, but for those of you in the central/northern US, today we’re going to be looking at the best vets in Chicago! Whether you’re new to the area or looking for different/new care for old or new pets, there’s a wide variety of practices to cater to almost any need and species. Need home care rather than a clinic visit, care for a reptile or a specific breed of dog, or services for both baby and senior pets? We’ve got you covered!
Animal Ark
Animal Ark cares for cats and dogs. The Chicago pet clinic is open on evenings and weekends for busy customers and provides emergency services after-hours. The practice has a comprehensive surgical facility and on-site diagnostic equipment including ultrasounds and radiology. The clinic is a member of the American Animal Hospital Association and is a partner of Heal Veterinary Clinic. Their website homepage states:“VCA Ark Animal Hospital is a recently renovated state-of-the-art veterinary facility located at Belmont and Kedzie in Chicago, Illinois. Our 4,100 square foot animal hospital is designed for delivering the best veterinary care in an environment that’s comfortable for pets and pet guardians, including a private visiting and waiting room. Our staff is devoted to providing compassionate care for your dog or cat. In addition to a variety of services for your pet, our hospital offers canine massage and cold laser therapy.”
NOTE: Closed Sundays
Animal Care Center of Chicago
Animal Care Center of Chicago is a full-service veterinary clinic that caters to cats, dogs, and exotic pets including. The Chicago practice grooms pets, tests for allergies, vaccinates pets, controls for ticks and fleas, provides preventative care, and offers dental services. Former clients have left positive feedback for Animal Care Center of Chicago's clean facility and positive, caring staff. They also offer holistic, herbal treatments for certain ailments, and their website states “Our hospital offers a variety of alternative therapies for your pet--ask your veterinarian if one of these options might be right for your pet. Many plants synethesize biologically active substances and the practice of herbal medicine in pets is based on the use of these plants and plant extracts to maintain the health of animals.”
NOTE: Open until 8pm on weekdays to accommodate those with 9-5 work schedules.
Animal House of Chicago
Since 2003, Animal House of Chicago has cared for dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, reptiles, and exotic pets, and when we say “exotic pets” we mean MANY exotic pets. Animal House’s staff includes doctors trained to work on:
Amphibians
Armadillos
Birds
Chinchillas
Coatimundi
Degu
Exotic Cats
Fennec Foxes
Ferrets
Fruit Bats
Gerbils
Guinea Pigs
Hamsters
Hedgehogs
Kinkajous
Mice
Prairie Dogs
Rabbits
Rats
Reptiles
Sloths
Spiders
Sugar Gliders
Wallabies
Obviously, this vet is one of your best options as an exotic pet owner!
The rest of the veterinary clinic provides puppy and kitten care, preventative care for dogs and cats, spaying and neutering, and laser therapy, and the practice also has overnight boarding available for cats, birds, and exotic pets. Animal House of Chicago is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
NOTE: They are closed Sundays and have somewhat irregular hours. Appointments are required (no walk-ins).
Animal Medical Center of Chicago
Animal Medical Center of Chicago has served the area for more than 25 years. The clinic's veterinarians have more than 85 years of collective experience. They provide allergy care, behavioral training, dentistry care, euthanasia, and senior pet care. They are also specialists in “zoonotic medicine”, which covers diseases and issues that are transmittable between pets and humans, like roundworms and toxoplasmosis.
If you’re looking for a “greener” vet, you can rest easy knowing that the Animal Medical Center of Chicago aims to reduce its environmental impact by following eco-friendly practices in its office. In addition, they give back to the community and help animals in need with their “Have-A-Heart” project. Through this program, the clinic donates free surgeries and check-ups to help animals in local shelters get the care they need because a healthy pet is an easily adoptable pet.
NOTE: The practice is closed Sundays and has shortened hours on Saturdays.
BLUM Animal Hospital
BLUM Animal Hospital has served the Chicago area for more than 60 years (they opened in 1952!). The veterinary clinic provides pet wellness exams, diagnostics, internal medicine care, surgery, and dentistry. The practice offers specialty care for kittens, puppies, and senior pets. The veterinarians are members of the American Veterinary Association, the Illinois State Veterinary Association, the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association. With a convenient location (and free parking!!), the BLUM Animal Hospital is a good choice for pet owners with cats and dogs.
NOTE: The clinic is closed Sundays
Burnham Park Animal Hospital
Burnham Park Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinary clinic that has served the Chicago area since 1994. The clinic provides diagnostic and therapeutic services, surgical services, anaesthesia, dentistry, microchipping, dietary counseling, and behavioral counseling. The practice is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association, and they can be reached after-hours for emergency care. This vet is best for clients with dogs and cats, and their website includes resources for city living with pets (lists of dog-friendly areas and more).
NOTE: The Hospital is open 7 days a week, but hours on Saturdays and Sundays are limited. HOWEVER, emergency care is available after-hours if you contact them first.
Chicago Veterinary Specialty Group
We hope your pet never needs specialist or specialty care because that usually means that there is something seriously wrong. However, if something serious occurs, and you need specialty care, this is the clinic for you. The Chicago Veterinary Specialty Group provides specialty care for pets, including cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, internal medicine, neural surgery, oncology, ophthalmology, surgery, and rehabilitation. The clinic is open 24 hours a day for emergency care, and the practice is a member of the American College of Veterinary Radiology, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
NOTE: They currently do not have a website, but their location and business reviews can be found here, and their phone number is available to call for info.
Mayfair Animal Clinic
Mayfair Animal Clinic is a family-owned and operated veterinary clinic founded in 1957. The clinic provides diagnostic and therapeutic services, anesthesia, imaging services, cardiology, dentistry, and individualized flea, mosquito, and tick control. Mayfair Animal Clinic also gives dietary and behavioral counseling, and has a variety of pharmaceutical products such as prescription diets and vitamins, and all of their services are focused for dogs and cats. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. They also offer spanish-language services for those who are more comfortable communicating through spanish. (También, ofrecen los servicios en español para las personas que lo necesitan.)
NOTE: They are closed Sundays and have limited hours Saturdays.
Medical District Veterinary Clinic at Illinois
Medical District Veterinary Clinic at Illinois is a full-service animal care clinic. The Chicago veterinary practice diagnoses and treats animals, provides dental care, and performs surgery. They also specialize in behavioural training programs, consulting with pet owners on behavior modification options. The clinic partners with the trainer of Animal Behavior Training Concepts to give each patient custom training programs.
This clinic is part of the University of Illinois, and it has a focus on the mental well-being of your and your pet. Their “about us” page states: “the entire staff at Medical District Veterinary Clinic at Illinois shares a philosophy of minimizing stress and maximizing fun for our patients. We find ways to communicate a sense of safety and trust to your pet, so coming to the clinic is a good experience for everyone.” Pet owners have praised the clinic for its competent and friendly staff who communicate well.
NOTE: They are closed Sundays and have limited hours Saturdays.
Naperville Animal Hospital
Since 1989, Naperville Animal Hospital has cared for pets in the Chicago area. The veterinarians have experience treating dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and pocket pets. The clinic's services include senior pet care, preventative care, dental care, vaccinations, grooming, and overnight observation. The business also provides special care for puppies and kittens and offers training programs, and notes that they are a cat-friendly practice and environment, meaning that they make sure to set aside comfortable, secluded areas for cats and cat owners to keep them away from the stress of other pets (particularly dogs).
In addition, they are proud to say that “Since 1989 Naperville Animal Hospital has helped over 20,000 orphaned animals find their forever homes by providing discounted veterinary services and surgeries to local rescue groups and humane societies. This is something that Naperville Animal Hospital continues to do every day of the year!” Finally, Naperville Animal Hospital has a veterinarian on call for emergency situations.
NOTE: They have limited hours on Sundays, but are open 7 days a week.
North Avenue Animal Hospital
North Avenue Animal Hospital has served the Chicago area since 1957. The veterinary clinic provides pet wellness exams, kitten and puppy care, urgent care, and surgeries such as oral surgery, tumor removal, and spaying and neutering. The hospital area includes a well stocked pharmacy, in-hospital surgery suite, and a closely supervised hospitalization area. Pet owners have praised the practice for its friendly, attentive, and caring staff who work to carry out the hospital’s mission “to provide comprehensive and compassionate quality medical care for our patients and excellent service for our valued clients,” which they accomplish by “employing knowledgeable and friendly staff that uses the most current medical practices and resources to achieve the best possible care for our four-legged friends.”
NOTE: This clinic only serves cats and dogs and is closed on Sundays. Free parking is available behind the building.
North Shore Family Pet Hospital
North Shore Family Pet Hospital provides wellness exams, immunizations, hospitalization, general surgery, dental care, nutritional counseling, on-site digital radiology. The Chicago veterinary clinic is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association and is a Cat Friendly Practice as recognized by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. The four doctors have more than 45 combined years of veterinary experience, and the practice also has five certified technicians and numerous veterinary assistants.
Their website provides lots of helpful links and information on everything from treating pets that have been sprayed by skunks to access to the Veterinary Information Network, an online library about pet health. There, you will find veterinarian-written articles about pet health, behavior issues and medication your pet may be taking.
NOTE: They are closed Sundays and have limited Saturday hours.
Pulaski Animal Hospital
Founded in 1955, Pulaski Animal Hospital provides a variety of pet care services, including senior pet care, dental care, dietary planning, preventative examinations, radiology, and ultrasounds. Their X-ray capabilities include radiographic diagnosis of many diseases and our new Ultrasound machine enhances the ability to diagnose medical problems. In addition, an in-house laboratory provides results for serum chemistry, hematology, serology and parasite tests. The Chicago practice also provides emergency care, and the clinic is a member of the American Animal Hospital Association. Pulaski Animal Hospital has received praise for its friendly, knowledgeable staff and clean offices.
NOTE: They are open 7 days a week, but have limited hours on Sundays.
The Welcome Waggin' Mobile Veterinary Service, P.C.
The Welcome Waggin' Mobile Veterinary Service, P.C. minimizes pets' stress by providing in-home vet services. The practice, based in Naperville, provides preventative medicine, senior pet care, wound care, laboratory testing, nutritional and behavioral counseling, and senior pet care to cats and dogs. Visits are scheduled with a half-hour “approximate arrival” window of time, and then the visits themselves usually last about an hour. Owners are asked to keep their pets in areas where they are contained and cannot hide--like bathrooms--so that they are available and have not “disappeared” before their appointment!
NOTE: Office hours are held Monday-Friday, with services by appointment only on the weekends.
Village West Veterinary
Village West Veterinary is a Chicago veterinary clinic that provides microchip scanning and implantation, screening x-rays, routine vaccinations, routine heartworm and tick bite exposure testing, and general preventative health exams.The practice also provides on-site sick pet visits and euthanasia, and is available for emergency situations. The founding veterinarian is the founder of The Critical Animal Relief Foundation, a nonprofit that saves the lives of at-risk dogs and cats in the Chicago area. For more information on this enterprise, you can visit the CARF website here.
NOTE: They are closed Sundays with limited hours on Saturdays.
West Loop Veterinary Care
West Loop Veterinary Care is a Chicago pet clinic that offers house calls and prescription home delivery. The veterinary clinic provides preventative and well-being care such as vaccination, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, dentistry, spaying and neutering, and microchipping. They also manage illnesses and disease such as arthritis, cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, and digestive disorders.
The comfort of you and your pet is important, and the clinic at West Loop Veterinary Care has a separate waiting area for shy or nervous pets.
NOTE: They are closed Sundays and 1-3pm on Wednesdays for team training.
