Desert Forest Animal Hospital

4.8 (165 reviews)
6554 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, USA

Hours

Monday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday Closed Sunday Closed

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Desert Forest Animal Hospital

Preventive care

Routine wellness exams can help identify health issues early, often before they become more serious or expensive to treat. Regular checkups are one of the most effective ways to manage long term veterinary costs.

Compare prescription pricing

Some pet medications prescribed at veterinary clinics may also be available through local or online pharmacies. It can be helpful to compare pricing when appropriate to reduce ongoing medication costs.

Consider pet insurance

Pet insurance may help cover a portion of eligible veterinary expenses depending on the plan, including accidents, illnesses, and in some cases preventive care. Coverage details, reimbursement levels, and deductibles vary by provider.

Why Pet Insurance Information Appears on This Page

Looking for information about Desert Forest Animal Hospital? This page also includes pet insurance resources to help pet parents understand how to prepare for unexpected veterinary expenses.

Veterinary care costs can vary widely depending on the type of visit, treatment, or emergency. Many pet parents explore pet insurance before they need it so they are better prepared when unexpected situations arise.

How to Choose a Pet Insurance Provider

Pet Insurance Review helps pet parents compare insurance providers using verified customer reviews and real-world experiences. Our tools make it easier to evaluate providers based on claims experience, service quality, and overall satisfaction.

We have collected more than 220,000 reviews from pet parents, creating one of the largest independent databases of pet insurance feedback available.

How rankings are determined

Unexpected veterinary expenses can happen at any clinic. The providers below are ranked using verified reviews submitted by real pet parents through Pet Insurance Review. Results reflect overall satisfaction, claims experience, and value based on real world feedback. Rankings are updated regularly as new reviews are submitted.

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
4.9 Adoro 55
4.5 AKC 1,801
4.4 ASPCA 12,252
4.9 Embrace 20,009
4.9 Fetch 5,987
4.1 Figo 2,877
4.4 Hartville 184
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,407
4.8 Lemonade 835
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,565
4.7 Nationwide 25,788
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,670
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,884
4.7 Pumpkin 3,624
4.6 Spot 11,667
4.9 Trupanion 55,034

Compare Pet Insurance Plans

You can compare coverage options from multiple providers to find a plan that fits your budget and your pet’s healthcare needs.


Getting to Know Your Veterinarian

Choosing a veterinarian is an important decision for pet parents. A strong vet relationship is built on trust, communication, and understanding your pet’s individual needs.

Experience

Ask whether the clinic has experience treating your specific type of pet, since care can vary between dogs, cats, and pocket pets.

Emergency Care Procedures

It’s helpful to understand how the clinic handles after-hours emergencies, including whether they provide emergency services or refer to nearby emergency hospitals.

Communication Preferences

Ask how the clinic communicates with pet parents, including updates, test results, and follow up questions.

Breed Specific Health Considerations

Some breeds may be more prone to certain health conditions. Early awareness can help with prevention and early treatment.

Facility Tour

If available, touring the clinic can help you and your pet feel more comfortable before the first visit.


Final Note

Pet care decisions often involve both medical and financial considerations. Having access to trusted veterinary information alongside pet insurance comparisons can help pet parents feel more confident when planning for their pet’s health and wellbeing.

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Reviews from Google

4.8

165 reviews

We've been clients of this veterinary hospital for many years, and the exceptional care has kept us coming back. Dr. Tracy has cared for our pets for a long time, so naturally I was a little nervous when Dr. Bauer joined the practice as the full-time vet. However, she has been wonderful, and I have felt completely comfortable trusting her with the care of our pets. She is knowledgeable, compassionate, takes the time to answer questions, and genuinely cares about both her patients and their families. One of the things I appreciate most about this hospital is the continuity of care. The office staff and veterinary technicians have been there for years, and it's so reassuring to see the same familiar faces every time we visit. They know our pets, remember their histories, and always make us feel welcomed. That consistency creates a level of trust that's hard to find. Everyone—from the front desk to the techs to the veterinarians—works together to provide outstanding care. You can tell they truly love what they do, and it shows in every interaction. I highly recommend this veterinary hospital to anyone looking for a compassionate, experienced team that treats your pets like family. We are incredibly grateful for the care they've provided over the years.

Jun 29, 2026

We used to truly enjoy bringing our pet Rocco to Desert Forest Animal Hospital. The office staff was always friendly, the atmosphere was welcoming, and the level of veterinary care under Dr. Waters gave us a great deal of confidence and trust. Unfortunately, since Dr. Waters left, the overall experience and quality of service have noticeably declined. There is now a much younger veterinarian in the office, and while everyone has to start somewhere, the depth of knowledge, confidence, and practical experience that we once valued simply does not feel the same anymore. Appointments no longer felt as thorough, communication became less reassuring, and the personalized care we previously appreciated seemed to be missing. For long-time clients who were accustomed to a higher standard of experience and professionalism, the change has been disappointing. Cave Creek is a wonderful community, and we genuinely wanted to continue supporting this office, but the difference in care and overall experience has become difficult to ignore. We hope the clinic is able to regain the level of trust and confidence that many long-time clients once had.

May 8, 2026

We have always brought our dogs here. We are so fortunate that they explain everything, they help us make the best decisions, and they take the best care. It means the world to be able to trust the well being of our animals to them. Everyone from the front office staff to the techs and the doctors are amazing.

Jul 7, 2026

Just got a new puppy and took her in for shots and overall health check up. I have always taken my dogs to Desert Forest Animal Hospital. The staff there are all very professional, knowledgeable and personable. My dogs actually get excited when we pull up to the office! I feel like they love my dogs as much as I do!

Jun 29, 2026

My sister had been taking her cat to Dr Bauer for years. He would get a monthly shot for his arthritis and one day my sister had asked me to take her cat. I walked in and didn’t even have to formally check in, they already knew who he was and while I waited for him to be done I sat with one of the staff members who chatted with me about how much they adored him. Once I saw how caring and personalized the care was I decided I switch over and take my cat here. My cat had a problem with his eye that another vet had charged me $400 for a test that didn’t come back with any answers and had treatment planned another $1000 worth of other tests. Dr Bauer suggested a $68 stain that took all of 5 minutes and had an immediate answer to what was going on as well as a prescription option and non prescription option ready to go; as well as being able to discuss possible in house surgery options and referrals to a specialist. I have never been more impressed! Stephanie, the vet tech, was also amazing with my cat especially considering he’s not the biggest fan of the vet. He took to her better than anyone else he’s met at any other office. I will 100% be coming back here for all my vet needs.

Aug 15, 2026