Merritt Animal Hospital

4.4 (347)
311 Merritt Ave, Chatham, ON N7M 3G1, Canada

Hours:

Monday: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM

Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM

Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM

Thursday: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM

Friday: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Merritt Animal Hospital

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 2025
Rating Provider Total Review
4.9 Fetch Canada 166
4.9 Furkin 348
4.1 Pets Plus Us 862
4.3 PHI Direct 31
4.8 Spot Canada 149
4.8 Trupanion Canada 25,888
1.0 Desjardins 1
5.0 OVMA 1
3.3 Peppermint 3
2.5 Petsecure 226
0.0 Sonnet 0

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

hand swipe
Pam Shawn Slade

We've been a patient of Dr. Nick's for a while now and would reccommend him 100 times over. He always takes the time to go over our pup from head to toe and answer any questions we have. His honest opinion and expertise has truly helped guide us to make many decisions over the years. Thank you Dr. Nick and staff. Always a kind smile and "Hello Chester!" when we walk in the door. Keep up the great work!

posted: 11/23/2024

Rebecca Douma

The girls are always so friendly and great with our dog. Dr. Nick is also great, he makes sure he explains everything to you and you understand. He’s also really good with our dog. Would definitely recommend them.

posted: 12/05/2024

Kyla Brady

They are all awesome! Our dog absolutely loves going. He is immediately doted on by all of the vet techs and Dr. Nick is the best. Thanks for providing awesome care!

posted: 11/19/2024

Marie Louise Faubert

I went with a dear friend to euthanize her cat. The vet and the attendants were very helpful and patient with us while we were saying goodbye to her pet. They gave us all the time that we needed to say goodbye to her cat.

posted: 12/03/2024

Tracy Fenner

The staff at Merritt Animal Hospital are very personable and caring. My experience has never been less than excellent. They cater to my pets individual needs and treat her like she is one if their own. Highly recommend.

posted: 06/26/2024