Jordan EllisFinding a trustworthy veterinarian is a major step for any pet owner, especially since our furry companions are truly part of the family.
It can be stressful trying to choose a new clinic when your cat is sick or your puppy needs vaccinations. That is why we looked into the best animal hospitals in Columbus to help local pet owners find reliable care.
The city offers strong options for emergency treatment, routine checkups, and even home visits for added convenience.
Once your pets are feeling better, there are also plenty of trusted dog sitters and dog walkers nearby to help keep them active, engaged, and well cared for every day.
How much do animal hospital services cost in Columbus?
Animal hospital services in Columbus typically cost between $250 and $500 per year for annual dog exams and vaccinations, with basic wellness visits starting around $30.
| Service | Estimated Cost |
| Wellness/Office Visit | $30–$69 |
| Urgent Care Visit | ~$88 |
| Vaccines (Dog/Cat) | ~$15–$20 per shot |
| Canine Yearly Exam & Shots | ~$276 |
| Feline Yearly Exam & Shots | ~$254 |
| Dental Cleaning (Dogs) | $750+ |
1. The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center
Website: https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/
Address: 601 Vernon L Tharp St
Contact: (614) 292-3551
Hours: Available 24/7
The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center is the largest and most complete pet hospital system in Ohio. It serves as the main hub for very difficult medical cases.
They use a team approach with over sixty specialists who offer expert care that small private clinics usually cannot provide.
For example, my neighbor’s dog needed special radiation therapy, and this hospital’s advanced tools helped him recover.
Since this is a teaching hospital, you will likely see senior students and interns working with the main doctors. This means more experts are involved in your pet’s care, but it can also make the visit take a little longer.
You should also be aware that you might need to pay a large deposit upfront if your pet has to stay overnight.
Overall, it is a great choice for pets that need specialized medical attention.
Customer Reviews:
They saved both of my dogs life
Can not say enough about this half their. They treated my baby Stella as if she was there a dog. Turned out she had cancer and the surgeons or able to remove the tumor successfully. They also did an emergency speeding on my other baby sona. So they saved both of my dogs life.Love to all the doctors and nurses there
- mike mcnerlin | Google Review
I can’t say thank you enough to the doctors
I can’t say thank you enough to the doctors who took care of our sweet baby. We had a huge scare with Betty and you guys took amazing care of her and she is thriving, she’s using the bathroom, eating, drinking and has been since the second we got home. So again thank you🫶🏻
- Ky Wiltshire | Google Review
2. Upper Arlington Veterinary Hospital
Website: https://www.uavethospital.com/
Address: 1515 W Lane Ave
Contact: (614) 729-8032; [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Getting expert medical advice for your pet without extra travel is a huge relief for many owners. Upper Arlington Veterinary Hospital makes this easy by working with a network of specialists who consult directly with their on-site team.
They operate out of a modern, renovated facility that’s designed to keep dogs and cats comfortable and calm.
In addition to regular checkups, they offer advanced tools such as endoscopy and care for small pets like rabbits.
It’s just a bit disappointing that they don’t provide emergency services after they close. If your pet has a crisis late at night, you will need to go to another clinic.
They also have limited weekend hours, as they are closed on Sundays and open only briefly on Saturdays.
Still, this hospital remains a great choice for specialized care in a comfortable environment during its regular business hours.
Customer Reviews:
Extremely friendly, kind, and knowledgeable
Everyone we encounter at this facility seems to genuinely care about our pets. They are all extremely friendly, kind and knowledgeable. We always feel confident in their expertise. Every member of the team is very thorough and communicative. We never feel rushed and always feel like everyone truly cares.
- Courtney Roche | Google Review
Always so kind and supportive
The providers and staff at UAVH are always so kind and supportive. They take the time to answer every question and make my mom guilt so much less. I really enjoy having them on my team to make sure my golden girls are always happy and healthy!
- Kirsten Kamphuis | Google Review
3. PAWS Veterinary Urgent Care
Website: http://pawsveturgentcare.com/
Address: 8325 N High St
Contact: (614) 647-9499; [email protected]
Hours: Thursday – Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Finding quick help for minor pet issues can be hard, but PAWS Veterinary Urgent Care is a great middle ground. They fit perfectly between your regular vet and a costly emergency room.
One of their best features is a virtual check-in system that lets you check in from home. This sends an alert when it is time to go in, which helps reduce your pet’s stress.
I used this for my rescue cat when he had a minor injury, and it kept us both very calm. They also offer advanced treatments like a new one-dose option for parvovirus.
Even though they are open late, they’re not open 24 hours a day for critical emergencies. They’re also closed every Wednesday.
Customer Reviews:
So kind and compassionate
I operate a boarding facility and we had a pup who’s health began to decline rapidly on a Sunday. PAWS Urgent care was easy to register with, get to, and use. The team there was so kind and compassionate and truly knew what they were doing. The pup had pneumonia and with treatment PAWS provided, he was feeling much better 24 hours later. They took the time to answer all our questions and make sure we felt comfortable with his treatment plan. I 100% recommend them for all your veterinary and urgent care needs!
- Alex Varney | Google Review
We were very impressed
We brought an abandoned dog to the Urgent Care for evaluation and treatment options. They messaged us prior to arrival with special instructions based on the health concerns we had cited.The intake and examination process was very thorough and accomplished quickly. Treatment options were explained thoroughly and line-item pricing was provided. Pricing is very reasonable. We were very impressed and plan to utilize their veterinary services for a needed surgical procedure. Have already begun recommending them to family and friends.
- Joanne Johnson | Google Review
4. VEG ER for Pets
Website: https://www.veg.com/locations/ohio/easton
Address: 4056 Morse Rd
Contact: (614) 333-9402
Hours: Available 24/7
Dealing with a pet emergency is scary, but VEG ER for Pets helps with a comforting zero-separation policy.
Their open floor plan allows you to stay by your pet’s side throughout their treatment. You can even stay with them during surgery if you want to be present.
One great benefit is that you get to speak with a veterinarian immediately after you walk through the door. This helps you avoid the usual delays from paperwork.
They are also ready to help all kinds of animals, including birds, reptiles, and small exotic pets.
Since they only handle urgent trauma, they do not provide routine care like vaccinations or annual exams.
It is also important to remember that they see patients based on their level of illness. This means wait times can change depending on other critical cases arriving at the clinic.
Customer Reviews:
They are quick, efficient, and caring
Amazing staff!! They are quick, efficient, and caring. My sweet dog, Zoey Ann, had her 1st seizure and the staff, Dr. Lages, nurse Marissa, and Kayla, were so good with her. Not only did they effectively care for her they offered comfort and support to me- as I cried like a baby. Lol. Thank you. ❤️
- Brenna Brajer | Google Review
The staff here is absolutely amazing!
The staff here is absolutely amazing! Unfortunately I lost my little fur baby today, Buddy 😔 but they definitely made a hard situation easier for me. They are extremely caring and very gentle. I felt well taken care of in every aspect of the way. If your animal ever needs emergency care this is the place to go! Thank you again to everyone that helped me today. May God bless you all💗
- Nepria Brinston | Google Review
5. Lap of Love – Columbus
Website: https://www.lapoflove.com/
Areas Served: Columbus and nearby areas
Contact: (614) 827-3447; [email protected]
Hours: Available 24/7
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is the hardest part of ownership. Lap of Love in Columbus helps families through this painful process with dignity.
They focus only on hospice and in-home euthanasia so that your pet stays in a familiar and comforting place. Their veterinarians have special certifications for end-of-life care and offer consultations to help you check your pet’s quality of life.
This service removes the stress that many senior pets feel during car rides to a clinic.
However, you should know that they have a limited scope of practice. They do not provide routine checkups or emergency treatments.
Also, you might have to pay extra travel fees depending on how far you live from their base.
Customer Reviews:
In our time of need, Dr Cotter was perfect
In our time of need, Dr Cotter was perfect. There was no better way to make the most emotionally challenging day of my life at least acceptable. Thank you, Dr Cotter. You are a rare person in today’s world.
- Aaron Vaughan | Google Review
Dr. Nellie did an outstanding job for us
Dr. Nellie did an outstanding job for us. She was very professional, empathetic, and she handled the situation extremely well. She came to our home, and this made the process go very smoothly for our normally anxious dog. She exceeded our expectations, and we were very pleased with how she made the visit as calm and peaceful as possible. We will use Lap of Love without hesitation in the future, and we highly recommend Dr. Nellie.
- Carey Boettcher | Google Review
