VCA Cat Hospital of Chicago

4.5 (169)
2851 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618, USA

Hours:

Monday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at VCA Cat Hospital of Chicago

Schedule Regular Vet Visits

One of the best ways to save on vet bills is to prevent expensive health issues before they develop. By scheduling regular wellness checkups, your vet can detect health issues early, helping you to avoid costly treatments and surgeries down the road.

Price Shop for Pet Prescriptions

Oftentimes our fur babies are prescribed human drugs off-label. Your vet is apt to charge more for these medications than you would pay at your local pharmacy. In fact, big-box or chain pharmacies can offer steep discounts. So it’s best to price shop.

Pet Insurance

Most pet insurance providers will pay between 80% and 90% of the vet bill. You can even get coverage for routine care and things like vaccinations and dental cleanings. If you do the math, you’ll most likely find that pet insurance makes financial sense in the long run as well as gives you peace of mind.

How Do You Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider?

Pet Insurance Review makes it incredibly easy for pet parents to select an insurance provider they feel good about. You can use our handy comparison tool to get the gist of what a company offers. We’ve also collected over 150,000 reviews of insurance companies from real pet parents like you to rank the top providers in the market. Here is the current ranking of each:

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
4.5 AKC 1,797
4.5 ASPCA 12,110
4.9 Embrace 19,782
4.9 Fetch 5,395
4.1 Figo 2,832
4.5 Hartville 179
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,065
4.8 Lemonade 822
4.6 ManyPets 2,413
4.7 MetLife 8,691
4.8 Nationwide 24,878
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 8,936
4.8 Pumpkin 3,142
4.6 Spot 10,938
4.9 Trupanion 55,032
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,694
4.4 Adoro 5

Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.

Thinking of insuring your pet?

Get Quotes & Compare

Getting to Know Your New Vet: Essential Questions to Ask

Choosing a new veterinarian is an important decision for any pet owner. You want to find someone who is competent, compassionate, and a good fit for you and your fur baby. To help you get the most out of your first appointment, here's a list of essential questions to ask your new vet:

Tell me about your experience with [pet type].

Different vets have different areas of specialization. Some are experts with cats, some dogs, some pocket pets, and some horses. Knowing that your vet has vast experience treating your specific type of pet can bring you peace of mind.

How do you handle emergencies?

You must know what to do in case of a pet medical emergency. Inquire what after-hours policy the clinic has, whether they have on-site emergency care available, and if they have a relationship with any nearby emergency animal hospitals.

How do you communicate with pet owners?

Good communication is key to building a trusting relationship with your vet. Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone calls, emails, online portal) and how often you can expect to hear from them.

Are there any breed-specific health concerns I should be aware of?

Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. Knowing what to watch out for can help you catch problems early and get your pet the treatment they need.

Do you have any questions for me about my pet?

This is a great question to ask because the answer will show that the vet is interested in getting to know your pet as an individual and is willing to listen to your concerns.

Bonus question: Can I take a tour of your facility?

Getting a feel for the clinic's environment can help you and your pet feel more comfortable during your visits. Remember, you’re not just looking for a veterinarian, you’re looking for a partnership. Do not be afraid to ask these questions and any others you can think of. Any vet worth their salt will be happy to answer them. Because the more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to make decisions about your pet's care! And that should be every vet’s top priority.

Reviews from Google

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Bianca Summerville

My cat Georgie had his first appointment with this vet today, and to say I am impressed would be an understatement! Dr Mueller has to be one of the best vets I have ever interacted with. He was so sweet to my Georgie, and so reassuring to me (despite my intense health anxiety around my cat). I immediately felt like I could trust him, which has not been the case with other practices I’ve visited in the past. He is definitely in the right line of work! The vet techs were equally as sweet and knowledgeable. They were very reassuring to my cat and I - I even saw him slow blinking at the tech that was restraining him a few times! Some reviews note that this place can be pricy, but honestly, I felt like pricing was very transparent and on par with what veterinary care costs these days. I think I have finally found my forever vet in Chicago!

posted: 12/17/2025

M DLR

Went to these people for years before I realized they don't listen to me and don't care about any financial stipulations I alert them to. I'd say I could only do so much, they'd ignore me and then come in with double my request. Customer service in person or on the phone is abysmal, it's like they don't know how to interact with the greater public. When I stated my financial difficulties I got guilt tripped by one of their vet techs stating she's too poor to own a cat. Wonder what they think of me. Don't go here, they won't work with you and they'll try to charge you as much as is fiscally possible. I was told over the phone a different price compared to the invoice they had just sent me, they can't even read their own invoices. Honestly, it's profit before care here.

posted: 10/15/2025

SPM DD

They are amazing . After having bad experience with another vet hospital , and my cat getting sicker , I contacted them and they took us in . They were able to help my kitty so far, the vet and techs explained everything personally and the front desk staff is most wonderful. Some of my friends have decided they will also go because of the cleanliness and great service and support. Thank you guys. Thank you Savanah for gearing us in and Dr April .

posted: 08/20/2025

Leslie Murray

We’ve been going to VCA for about as long as I’ve been living in Chicago and they always take great care of my little senior lady. I love that they specialize in feline care! We always know we’re going to get a quality experience from people who truly know cats’ needs. We started with Dr. Foose who was amazing and we are so lucky to have had her as our vet. Everyone we’ve met over the years from front desk to techs to vets have been amazing and it really shows that they love cats and are passionate about providing the best care every step of the way. They take great records so we always know my girl is in good hands with people who know her history and what works for her. We’ve been through many life changes over the years and they have always been welcoming even if it’s been awhile since her last appointment. I’m sure there are more cost effective options out there, and we tried another vet before landing on VCA but the affordability of the previous vet was not worth the quality of care we experienced— especially with my little lady in her senior years and having a couple chronic conditions, I’d rather she gets the best. Animal care is hard work and we’re grateful for everything the staff do — they way they love on my little lady to make her feel comfortable is so appreciated and they are truly cat whisperers! If you are looking for a vet that specializes in feline care who will make sure your cat gets top-notch care from people who really know cats and really love cats, this is the place to go!

posted: 06/25/2025

Kiki

I have been taking both of my cats here for just over a year. The staff is so friendly and attentive. The rooms are thoroughly cleaned between visits to prevent disease transmission — I’ve never worried that my cats will pick something up at this location. I like that I can schedule my cats for back to back appointments here and they can be seen basically at the same time with one doctor. Dr. Czerwonky is my preferred vet for the way she has attended to my cats, in particular my cat with asthma, but I’ve honestly had a great experience with other doctors (Dr. Currigan and Dr. Foose) as well. My less healthy cat has completed a dental cleaning under anesthesia here, and the staff sent me updates and photos of her to ensure I knew she was doing well during her procedure. If you’re looking for cat care in Chicago, I highly recommend trying to become a patient with VCA Cat Hospital of Chicago. They all know and love cats. I have never felt pressured to purchase supplements, prescription food, extra procedures, etc. here. I’ve been privileged and fortunate enough to be able to afford all essential care and some more preventative care as well. I personally get some Rx foods for my cats and the approval turnaround (I prefer to buy online) is always speedy with VCA. I also really appreciate the online virtual support that is offered in the VCA app. It’s come in handy when I have more minor questions that don’t warrant a visit. Overall a great experience being a client here for over a year. And get pet insurance BEFORE you go because pet insurance will not cover pre existing conditions or conditions that arise during a waiting period immediately after purchasing a plan (typically 2 weeks to a month). So if you purchase pet insurance at least a month before your appointment here, you are more likely to have care that is eligible for reimbursement. VCA is not “cheap” but that’s because high quality care costs money, especially with the vet/vet tech shortage our country is experiencing. Pet insurance will make the costs more manageable if you find the right plan.

posted: 11/28/2023