Starch Pet Hospital
Hours
How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Starch Pet 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 Starch Pet 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.
| Rating | Provider | Total Review |
|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | Adoro | 19 |
| 4.5 | AKC | 1,801 |
| 4.4 | ASPCA | 12,241 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 19,993 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 5,953 |
| 4.1 | Figo | 2,872 |
| 4.4 | Hartville | 183 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 11,393 |
| 4.8 | Lemonade | 833 |
| 4.6 | ManyPets | 2,416 |
| 4.7 | MetLife | 11,391 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 25,758 |
| 3.9 | Pet Assure | 15 |
| 4.3 | PetPartners | 121 |
| 4.9 | Pets Best | 15,384 |
| 4.8 | Prudent Pet | 2,878 |
| 4.7 | Pumpkin | 3,592 |
| 4.6 | Spot | 11,639 |
| 4.9 | Trupanion | 55,033 |
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.
Explore Topics
Reviews from Google
1,094 reviews
I love how they care for my pups! So does everyone else so the wait times can be long in person and and on the phone, this is why 4 and not 5 stars. They follow up on treatments, put you at ease when you or you animal is scared or nervous. They take the time to treat you and yours like family not a paycheck. I moved away and still travel to make sure we can still get the amazing care from our favorite vets Dr Kay and Dr Tekes!
Sep 12, 2023
We have a two year old Holland Lop. It is a HUGE challenge to find veterinarians who care for rabbits. We have had two emergency situations with GI Stasis that sneaks up on rabbits quickly and is deadly if it is not treated in a timely fashion. The staff at Stark has fit us in both times. This last time they were incredibly busy! Their lobby was FULL! Dr. takes still saw us anyway and was very kind to me. Our family brought Opal into our lives during the pandemic and we love her so much. Admittedly, some days she and our golden retriever are my only source of joy. I don’t know what I would do without them. Highly recommend Dr. Takes and their staff at Stark. Opal is showing signs of improvement. Thank goodness! She is up for cuddles this morning! ❤️ Thank you, Dr. Takes, you are incredibly kind.
May 25, 2023
Dr. Trevino is fantastic. I love how knowledgeable she is and I have no doubt that her focus is all about providing the best care for our pets: 2 dogs, 2 cats and our pet duck. Dr. Trevino is very kind and compassionate and always makes me feel like I’m her number one priority regardless of the many beloved pets she cares for throughout the day. Big thank you to Dr. Trevino. Ace, Koda, Nia, Mable and LoLo greatly appreciate you!
Aug 2, 2023
Was very professional and treated my pet very kindly. Had 2 operations done and was very thorough on instructions for his aftercare at home. Also a surprise was that the total bill was less than quoted. Unlike other vet hospitals I’ve been to previously. Highly recommend Starch for all pet needs
Sep 22, 2023
I love all the veterinarian staff there—always nice and professional. Excellent at their jobs. I’m always happy with their care of my dogs over the years.
Aug 26, 2023
Veterinarians in Des Moines, Iowa
Afford-A-Care Pet Hospital
3003 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA(515) 280-5336
All-Pets Hospital
1330 2nd Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314, USA(515) 262-8535
Animal Medical Clinic
4520 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA(515) 276-4511
ARL Afford-a-Care East
1258 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50316, USA(515) 263-9260
ARL Afford-a-Care South
3003 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA(515) 280-5336
Beaverdale Veterinary Clinic / Riordan Pet Hospital
4529 Douglas Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA(515) 276-3602
BluePearl Pet Hospital
4631 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50322, USA(515) 727-4872
Des Moines Equine LLC
2834 Forest Dr, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA(515) 418-9413