Banfield Pet Hospital

3.5 (233 reviews)
1700 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA

Hours

Monday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Banfield 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 Banfield 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.

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
4.9 Adoro 34
4.5 AKC 1,801
4.4 ASPCA 12,250
4.9 Embrace 20,008
4.9 Fetch 5,987
4.1 Figo 2,876
4.4 Hartville 183
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,406
4.8 Lemonade 834
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,561
4.7 Nationwide 25,788
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,529
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,884
4.7 Pumpkin 3,624
4.6 Spot 11,667
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

3.5

233 reviews

I had an appointment here for my kitten to check on his eye due to concerns about an eye infection. I took time off work and spent $50 on an Uber to arrive and when I got here there's a sign on the door saying they will be closed all day today. I understand emergencies can happen but I never received any text, call, or email saying the appointment is cancelled. Very frustrating as I would booked an appointment elsewhere and now most vets are closed for the day. Additionally they had a number for other another vet office to call but when I called it I was told they didn't know what I was talking about and that they are completely unaffiliated with Banfield. Now this is $100 in Ubers down the drain. Thanks Banfield for your communication and valuing the time of your patrons :)

Jun 15, 2026

Update: My new vet just let me know that this $939 routine yearly exam didn't even include his yearly vaccines. Im so angry. I've been taking my dog to Banfield for a while and couldn't understand why it was so expensive. We had been paying $75 a month for the wellness plan for 2 vet visits a year. When we got our routine checkup this month, I couldn't believe the bill. $900 for a general checkup plus he had scratched his eye and needed a tiny tube of antibiotics for that. We called to cancel our wellness plan and were forced to pay the entire $939. That's almost as much as my rent for one routine vet visit. Oh and the doctor did not even review his medical history or look to see what medicine he was currently on for his eyes. She literally asked if his eye cloudiness was new. He's had a cataract in that eye for 4 years and has been on eye drops for it the entire time.

Jul 28, 2026

TLDR: Positive experiences with the veterinarians and vet technicians, but serious concerns with management communication and billing practices. ----- We have been Banfield clients for several years and previously felt comfortable with the veterinary care our dogs received. During a dental visit last year, we were advised that one of our dogs would require a tooth extraction and were encouraged to wait until her next scheduled cleaning so she would not need anesthesia twice. The extraction was discussed and confirmed during multiple communications over the following year and again leading up to the most recent procedure. However, after the cleaning was completed, we were informed that the extraction had not been performed. We were billed for the visit and instructed to schedule an additional procedure requiring anesthesia. When we contacted the clinic to clarify the situation and address unexpected charges, communication became extremely difficult. We received inconsistent information regarding billing and authorization, including being told there was a recording allegedly confirming approval of services, which does not match our understanding of events. We were also advised that the account could be referred to collections while the matter was still under review, despite our repeated attempts to resolve payment. We want to emphasize that our concerns relate primarily to management and customer service processes rather than the veterinarians or technicians themselves, who have generally treated our pets with care. Even after confirming the procedure and billing details in advance, the agreed-upon treatment was not completed and the issue was not reasonably resolved afterward. Because of this experience, we cannot recommend Banfield to other pet owners.

Mar 1, 2026

they first changed my in-room visit to a drop off which was frustrating as I have a very nervous cat, after her waiting in the back for 3+ hours when they tried to administer the vaccine she was agitated and they were unable to do anything. They sent me home with gabapentin and rescheduled the appointment. On the day of the appointment after I had already given her the drug, they canceled the entire day because the doctor was sick (told me at 11 even though they open at 8AM). I am not sure why no one else that works here couldn't have administered a simple vaccine. I then had to scramble to find a new vet as I have already given her a dose of the drugs. Will not be returning and extremely frustrated with their lack of organization.

Jun 15, 2026

I strongly recommend against signing up for the wellness plan. My experience with this clinic has been incredibly frustrating. In December, I brought my dog in for a dental cleaning. During the visit, they told me the X-rays showed some concerning findings and that I can pay $150 for a digital consultation with a specialist. However, I never received any follow-up about the results. Over the next three months, I’ve called numerous times to check in, but each time I was either given an excuse or told someone would call me back, which never happens. It’s also extremely difficult to get anyone on the phone. Eventually, I contacted corporate just to cancel my plan and ended up paying over $700 to settle the remaining balance, simply to avoid dealing with this clinic any further.

Mar 24, 2026