Best emergency & urgent care for pets in Denver, CO
These are the 15 highest-scoring emergency and urgent care providers in Denver, ranked by our methodology, which weighs rating, review volume, recency, and sentiment together. Every clinic here treats emergency or urgent care as a core part of what they do, not a side service tacked onto routine wellness visits.
Looking for a general vet instead of an emergency specialist? See our best veterinarian overall list for that separate ranking.
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VEG ER for Pets | 91 | 4.8 (2059) | — | True 24-hour emergencies |
| 2 | Denver Animal Hospital | 89 | 4.7 (281) | — | Trusted long-term relationship plus urgent access |
| 3 | The Center for Animal Wellness | 89 | 4.9 (897) | — | Cost-conscious urgent diagnostics |
| 4 | Sploot Veterinary Care - Belmar | 88 | 4.8 (455) | — | Same-day emergency slots with Fear Free handling |
| 5 | VEG ER for Pets | 88 | 4.7 (456) | — | Fast, skilled complex-case emergencies |
| 6 | West Denver Veterinary Hospital & Wellness | 85 | 4.6 (434) | — | Modern facility with same-day urgent care |
| 7 | Sploot Veterinary Care - Highlands | 87 | 4.8 (1614) | — | High-volume clinic with fast turnaround |
| 8 | Veterinary Emergency Group | 87 | 4.8 (938) | — | 24/7 access with exotic pet emergencies |
| 9 | VetCare Animal Hospital | 87 | 4.8 (542) | — | Complex diagnosis over quick fixes |
| 10 | Exotic Pet Vets (Denver) | 87 | 4.8 (520) | — | Exotic and small mammal urgent care |
| 11 | Sploot Veterinary Care - 9+CO | 86 | 4.8 (761) | — | Preventive-minded families needing occasional urgent visits |
| 12 | Park Animal Hospital and Wellness Center | 89 | 4.7 (495) | — | Honest urgent care without over-treatment |
| 13 | Rising Sun Animal Care | 86 | 4.8 (580) | — | Budget-friendly urgent care for senior pets |
| 14 | Animal Health Care Denver | 89 | 4.7 (561) | — | Affordable urgent visits without long waits |
| 15 | Berkeley Animal Hospital | 93 | 5 (169) | — | Small-practice attention with Saturday urgent access |
1. VEG ER for Pets
4.8 (2059 reviews)score 91/100
The top score in this list comes from a near-perfect blend of volume, recency, and sentiment across over 2,000 reviews. Owners describe being seen within minutes of arriving in crisis, staying with their pets throughout treatment, and getting doctor access outside normal hours, which is rare for an ER setting.
- Rapid intake, often within minutes of arrival
- Owners can stay with their pet during treatment
- Handles exotic emergencies (reptiles included) alongside cats and dogs
- Status texts during overnight hospitalizations
Watch out: Verification confidence sits lower than the rating and sentiment scores, so treat the top spot as strong but not fully audited.
Services: emergency urgent vet, general veterinary, veterinary surgery, exotic avian vet
2. Denver Animal Hospital
4.7 (281 reviews)score 89/100
This practice earns its high sentiment score from decades-long client relationships and a reputation for same-day urgency when it's needed. Doctors like Dr. Casey and Dr. Tadros get named repeatedly for patience with anxious animals and clear explanations under pressure.
- Same-day appointments available for urgent issues
- Staff reach out after hours during hard moments
- Strong reputation for end-of-life and hospice support
- Reasonable pricing relative to care quality
Services: dental veterinary, general veterinary, large animal equine vet, veterinary surgery
3. The Center for Animal Wellness
4.9 (897 reviews)score 89/100
A 4.9 rating across nearly 900 reviews reflects vets who brainstorm affordable options instead of defaulting to expensive workups, with named doctors making room for urgent cases. One recent account flagged record-keeping and communication issues, but that stands out against otherwise strong consistency.
- Vets who explain reasoning rather than just prescribing
- Flexible scheduling for urgent needs
- Follow-up by phone or email beyond the paid visit
- Transparent, fair pricing
Watch out: One reviewer reported a record error affecting care decisions and slow follow-up on test timing.
Services: dental veterinary, general veterinary, large animal equine vet, veterinary surgery
4. Sploot Veterinary Care - Belmar
4.8 (455 reviews)score 88/100
Sploot Belmar combines extended hours with same-day emergency access, and reviewers consistently point to Dr. Parker and technician Kortnee for calm, unrushed explanations. It's a solid choice when you need urgent help without the ER price tag, though one dental quote discrepancy is worth knowing about upfront.
- Extended hours and same-day emergency access
- Fear Free certified, low-stress handling
- Clear cost breakdowns before most procedures
- Named vets and techs get repeat praise
Watch out: One caller reported a large gap between a phone quote and the in-office price for a dental procedure.
Services: general veterinary, veterinary surgery, emergency urgent vet, exotic avian vet
5. VEG ER for Pets
4.7 (456 reviews)score 88/100
This VEG location handles serious cases like liver shunts and intestinal blockages with doctors who diagnose quickly and communicate every step. The open-concept space and amenities (coffee, chargers, handwritten follow-up cards) soften what's otherwise a stressful visit.
- Immediate intake in most cases
- Experienced with complex surgical emergencies
- Staff visibly compassionate during end-of-life moments
- Open layout lets owners stay close during exams
Watch out: Cost of care runs high, though reviewers generally feel it matches the level of care given.
Services: emergency urgent vet, general veterinary, veterinary surgery, exotic avian vet
6. West Denver Veterinary Hospital & Wellness
4.6 (434 reviews)score 85/100
West Denver blends Fear Free training with a large, modern space that includes private waiting areas, useful when an anxious animal needs urgent attention. Dr. Tim, Dr. Bills, and Dr. Jennifer Menning have loyal followings for patience and clarity.
- Fear Free certified staff reduce animal stress
- Private waiting areas ease anxious visits
- Same-day availability for urgent cases
- Named vets with strong repeat-client trust
Watch out: A few reviewers say quoted prices ran notably higher than nearby clinics, and one pricing dispute wasn't handled well.
Services: general veterinary, veterinary surgery, emergency urgent vet, exotic avian vet
7. Sploot Veterinary Care - Highlands
4.8 (1614 reviews)score 87/100
With over 1,600 reviews, this Sploot location backs its volume with real same-day emergency turnarounds and surgical skill, including laparoscopic procedures. Most visits get warm, communicative care, though one long-time patient raised concerns about appointment structuring feeling profit-driven.
- Same-day emergency access
- Post-visit follow-up by text or phone
- Fear Free certified, good with fractious animals
- Laparoscopic surgical capability on site
Watch out: One recurring critique centers on being routed through extra paid visits before certain services are done.
Services: general veterinary, dental veterinary, veterinary surgery, emergency urgent vet
8. Veterinary Emergency Group
4.8 (938 reviews)score 87/100
Veterinary Emergency Group keeps wait times short and stays with owners through most procedures, treating everything from dogs to bearded dragons. Reviewers mention distances of over 90 minutes driven for this level of exotic and emergency care, a sign of the trust it's built.
- 24/7 emergency availability
- Fast triage even for exotic species
- On-site surgical intervention
- Staff stay with owners through procedures
Watch out: Private equity ownership shows up in pricing, and some reviewers note costs run higher than local alternatives.
Services: emergency urgent vet, general veterinary, veterinary surgery, exotic avian vet
9. VetCare Animal Hospital
4.8 (542 reviews)score 87/100
VetCare stands out for vets, especially Dr. Feldman, who dig into root causes rather than reflexive treatment, useful when an urgent issue needs real diagnostic work. The clinic runs on schedule and pricing sits above budget clinics but reviewers generally call it fair.
- Vets pursue thorough diagnosis rather than standard protocols
- Specialist consultation for tough cases
- Clean, well-run facility that stays on schedule
- Gentle handling across multiple species
Watch out: A few recent reviewers noted price increases since a new location opened.
Services: exotic avian vet, dental veterinary, general veterinary, large animal equine vet
10. Exotic Pet Vets (Denver)
4.8 (520 reviews)score 87/100
This practice specializes in rabbits, birds, and other exotics, an important distinction for urgent cases that general ERs may not handle well. Doctors Guerrera, Ruoff, Lykins, and Fitzgerald get named for combining expertise with patience during stressful visits.
- Specialists in exotic, avian, and small mammal medicine
- Emergency and same-day care available
- Thorough exams paired with clear communication
- Staff praised across every role, not just vets
Watch out: A few reviewers mention medication refill friction and wanting clearer explanation of findings before treatment starts.
Services: exotic avian vet, large animal equine vet, general veterinary, veterinary surgery
11. Sploot Veterinary Care - 9+CO
4.8 (761 reviews)score 86/100
This Sploot location lists emergency service alongside wellness and dental work, with Dr. Thresher and techs Alexis and Eli called out for calm, step-by-step care. Most of its 761 reviews are positive, though a handful describe rushed exams or slow admin follow-through.
- Upfront pricing and membership discounts
- Calm, step-by-step explanations during visits
- Handles anxious and difficult pets well
- Named staff with consistent repeat praise
Watch out: Some reviewers describe rushed appointments or hesitation to pursue diagnostics on concerning findings.
Services: general veterinary, dental veterinary, veterinary surgery, emergency urgent vet
12. Park Animal Hospital and Wellness Center
4.7 (495 reviews)score 89/100
Park Animal Hospital scores well above average on sentiment, with reviewers crediting Dr. Chris Spears and the team for on-time appointments and treatment advice that avoids unnecessary prescriptions. It covers general care, surgery, and emergency services across the Wash Park and Platt Park area.
- Honest recommendations rather than over-prescribing
- On-time appointments and easy scheduling
- Compassionate end-of-life and grief support
- Gentle with anxious and aging dogs
Services: dental veterinary, general veterinary, large animal equine vet, veterinary surgery
13. Rising Sun Animal Care
4.8 (580 reviews)score 86/100
Rising Sun keeps pricing noticeably below corporate chains while still earning trust from long-term clients for patience with fearful or senior animals. Named vets Asman, King, and Miller draw specific praise, though a few recent reviews raise concerns about diagnostic depth on complex GI cases.
- Pricing lower than corporate chain competitors
- Follow-up calls and personal touches for regulars
- Named vets praised for skill and patience
- Good fit for senior or anxious pets
Watch out: Some reviewers report phone hold times and inconsistent vet-to-vet recommendations.
Services: dental veterinary, general veterinary, veterinary surgery, emergency urgent vet
14. Animal Health Care Denver
4.7 (561 reviews)score 89/100
Animal Health Care Denver combines a high sentiment score with pricing that reviewers say undercuts other Denver clinics by hundreds of dollars per service. Dr. Nikki, Dr. Baum, and Dr. Sayer are named repeatedly for spending real time on treatment planning rather than rushing through visits.
- Prices significantly lower than comparable Denver clinics
- Fast appointment turnaround
- Gentle handling of anxious and senior animals
- Straightforward, easy scheduling
Services: dental veterinary, general veterinary, large animal equine vet, veterinary surgery
15. Berkeley Animal Hospital
5 (169 reviews)score 93/100
A perfect 5.0 rating and the highest composite score on this list come from a smaller review base, so treat this pick as a strong but less-tested option. Reviewers highlight responsive scheduling, including urgent Saturday appointments, and detailed follow-up notes that feel more personal than a corporate clinic.
- Responsive scheduling, including urgent Saturday slots
- Thorough exams with detailed explanations
- Honest, no-pressure treatment recommendations
- Staff skilled at calming anxious animals
Watch out: Review volume is lower than others on this list, so the score carries medium rather than high confidence.
Services: dental veterinary, general veterinary, veterinary surgery, emergency urgent vet