Pets First
Hours
How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Pets First
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 Pets First? 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 | 12,227 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 19,970 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 5,909 |
| 4.1 | Figo | 2,868 |
| 4.4 | Hartville | 183 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 11,371 |
| 4.8 | Lemonade | 833 |
| 4.6 | ManyPets | 2,416 |
| 4.7 | MetLife | 11,221 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 25,693 |
| 3.9 | Pet Assure | 15 |
| 4.3 | PetPartners | 121 |
| 4.9 | Pets Best | 15,328 |
| 4.8 | Prudent Pet | 2,865 |
| 4.7 | Pumpkin | 3,539 |
| 4.6 | Spot | 11,570 |
| 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.
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Reviews from Google
402 reviews
We’ve seen Dr. C for 10 years and recently Dr. Michell, and have been treated with such warmth and kindness by both. These vets and their team give A+ service and we couldn’t ask for a better vet team for our old pup.
Jan 2, 2026
I've been bringing my pup to Pets First for years now, but after my recent experiences, I've decided to find a new vet. Over the past few months, I brought my pup in multiple times for a bump and constant itching. The doc didn't seem particularly concerned and just chalked it up to allergies without offering clear solutions. I ended up doing my own research and discovered my pup has issues with processed chicken/byproducts—which is very common. If you have this issue, look at the food and ingredients. I switched his food and most of the problems cleared up. When I mentioned my findings to the doctor, he then suggested Hill's special formula (of course they are sponsored). Being the vet, I trusted his recommendation, but the itching came right back and the bump got bigger. So I had to switch back to what was previously working. The final straw was when my pup’s bump became infected. The new doctor that was available only offered surgical removal with the earliest date being nearly a month out, and for the infection itself, he only suggested Benadryl? This made no sense. When I asked if it could be drained, he brushed me off in a snappy tone with "what do you want to do?" and "don't shoot the messenger." I was sent home with an infected bump and no real treatment plan. I am not sure how this is acceptable. We ended up spending New Year's Eve draining and treating the infection at home because I couldn't let my pup suffer for a month waiting for surgery and some Benedryl. The next day the bump was way less infected, and on the road to recovery. When I shared my concerns and requested a refund for the last visit, their response was pretty dismissive. They processed the refund but didn't seem to care at all that they were losing a client? No attempt to address the issues or make things right, just "we wish you the best at a new practice." I understand vets are busy, but when you're solving your dog's problems at home because the vet isn't providing solutions, something's wrong. I expected better care and at least some concern when a long-time client leaves disappointed, and who has spent thousands of dollars with them.
Jan 14, 2026
I love all the people here! They have all taken such good care of our Bubba! Always a nice time and they love Bubba!
Dec 18, 2025
This is the best vet I have ever been to. They walked me through the fatal illness and eventual loss of my beloved soul cat, Shiloh. When other vets tried to give me false hope about her condition to upsell me on fruitless surgeries and medicines, Pets First was instead compassionate, but honest. The older male vet here (Sorry, can't remember his name) was very clear that she only had a small amount of time left to live. He gave us options to lengthen her life that afforded me another 6 months with her. When she was ready to go, he was honest about our options, and even came in after normal hours to be the vet who put her down. I always felt like I could trust Pets First and that they weren't selling me services or extending her life without regard to her quality of life. It took me six months to emotionally be ready to pick up her ashes and paw print and they saved it for me, and were very compassionate about my handling of her loss. I have a new cat now, and their honesty and clarity with their services remains. My current cat is overweight, and they were both compassionate but honest and helpful on how to help her. I have friends who's cat is the same weight, and their bougie vet is constantly not addressing it and saying their cat is fine. I'm really happy to be at this vet and be able to trust their services!
May 14, 2025
Best vet I've ever taken my pets to. I've been with them almost 10 years and the care concern for my animals has always been done with kindness, expertise and consideration. I originally switched to them because another vet I was going to was constantly trying to upsell me on everything from vitamins to food. Pets first has never done this. The first time I brought my dog in Dr C literally got down on the floor to greet my dog. Dr. Mitchell has taken care of my cat and my dog over the years as well again with care and attention. Even the vet techs and the front desk crew are excellent. Vet for life.
Feb 20, 2025
Veterinarians in Chicago, Illinois
4 Paws Imaging Centers, LLC (Veterinary Ultrasound)
116 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, USA(630) 746-1382
Abbot Animal Hospital
6721 W Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60638, USA(773) 788-9000
Abell Animal Hospital
6032 N Northwest Hwy, Chicago, IL 60631, USA(773) 631-6727
American College of Veterinary Pathologists
1061 American Ln, Schaumburg, IL 60173, USA(847) 375-6301
Animal Advocate Pet Hospital
1061 W Jackson Blvd ste a, Chicago, IL 60607, USA(312) 471-1728
Animal House of Chicago
2752 W Lawrence Ave Unit #3, Chicago, IL 60625, USA(773) 878-8002
Animal Medical Center of Chicago
1618 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614, USA(773) 525-3353
Arfit Dog Rehab / Fitness / Canine Rehabilitation
2112 N Clybourn Ave Unit B, Chicago, IL 60614, USA(312) 620-4606