Top 5 Vet Appointment Apps for Busy Pet Parents

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By Dallas Hughes | App Reviews Column | The Pet Standard

If there’s one universal truth among pet owners, it’s this: your cat will fall ill at precisely 7:32pm on a Sunday night, just as the emergency vet closes and you’re elbow deep in a pasta bake.

Modern problems require modern solutions. And while our pets still haven’t figured out how to send us calendar invites (“Dear human, I’ve licked my paw one too many times. Please sort it.”), vet appointment apps might be the next best thing. But do they actually help, or are they just glorified phonebooks with a fancier font?

I downloaded, prodded, and mildly cursed at the top-rated vet apps currently available in the UK, so you don’t have to. Rufus (my chaos spaniel) and Margot (my clinically unbothered cat) joined me in the pursuit of digital pet care glory.

What Makes a Good Vet Appointment App?

Not all vet apps are created equal. Some connect you directly with a clinic, others offer 24/7 video consultations, and some exist seemingly to remind you that you’re overdue for every vaccine ever.

Here’s what we looked for:

• Ease of booking (because no one has time to wrestle with clunky forms)

• Access to virtual vet advice (bonus points for 24/7 availability)

• Reminders and records (because your brain stopped tracking booster jabs after 2020)

• Integration with actual clinics (yes, we’d like real humans involved, please)

1. FirstVet

Price: £24 per consult (or free with some insurers)

Verdict: Slick, sciencey, and shockingly helpful at 2am.

FirstVet is a telemedicine app that offers virtual consultations with registered UK vets. It’s surprisingly comprehensive you can video chat with a vet, share photos or videos of your pet’s symptoms, and get advice or even prescriptions without stepping outside.

It’s ideal for those “is this worth panicking about?” moments, especially if your local surgery is closed.

Science Check: Real vets, RCVS-registered. Excellent. Rufus’ Rating: 5/5. Diagnosed an ear issue in minutes. Margot’s Rating: 3/5. She blinked once. That’s approval in cat.

Available on: iOS & Android Price: £24 per consultation or free with many UK pet insurers

2. PetsApp – Free (Vet sets pricing)

Price: Free (Vet sets pricing)

Verdict: WhatsApp, but for your vet. And it doesn’t send memes.

PetsApp lets you message your vet, book appointments, request meds, and even pay without picking up the phone. If your vet practice is signed up, you’ve basically got a front-desk assistant in your pocket.

It also has video consults, reminders, and a pet health tracker.

It’s convenient, efficient, and works surprisingly well if your surgery is onboard.

Science Check: Real clinic integration = gold standard. Rufus’ Rating: 4/5. Vet called him “a lovely lad.” Ego boost unlocked. Margot’s Rating: 2/5. App sent a reminder—she resents reminders.

Available on: iOS & Android Price: Free to use; consult prices set by your vet

3. Joii Pet Care – Free app, £24 consult, £10 vet nurse

Price: Free app, £24 consult, Price: £10 vet nurse

Verdict: Feels like NHS 111, but for your goldfish.

Joii is a virtual-first app offering 24/7 vet and vet nurse consultations, behaviour support, and nutrition advice. It also stores your pet’s health history and sends preventative care reminders (because we all forget flea treatments now and then, right?).

The app is sleek, fast, and doesn't pressure you to buy anything which is rare in the digital age.

Science Check: RCVS-accredited vets and nurses. Bonus points for preventative care focus. Rufus’ Rating: 5/5. Got praise for being “very brave.” Margot’s Rating: 1/5. The app asked about her diet. She does not like questions.

Available on: iOS & Android Price: £24 vet consult, £10 vet nurse, free general use

4. Vets Now – £24 online consult or £180+ for in-person emergencies

Price: £24 online consult or £180+ for in person emergencies

Verdict: Emergency-focused and not for the faint of wallet.

Vets Now is the UK’s go to for out of hours emergency care. The app gives you access to their 24/7 online vet team, and you can also locate your nearest emergency clinic. It’s the kind of app you hope you never have to use but when you do, you’re glad it’s there.

The downside? It’s more emergency focused than appointment based, and prices can jump dramatically if you need in-person care.

Science Check: Top-tier emergency vets. No fluff, all function. Rufus’ Rating: 3/5. Diagnosed fast, but was not a fan of the thermometer. Margot’s Rating: 1/5. They mentioned “carrier.” She vanished.

Available on: iOS & Android Price: £24 online, emergency fees vary (£180+)

5. PawSquad

Price: £20 per consult or monthly or monthly plans from £12

Verdict: Old school, but still kicking.

PawSquad offers 24/7 access to vets via video or chat. It’s one of the earlier UK vet telemedicine apps and doesn’t have quite the polish of Joii or FirstVet, but it still does the job. You can share media, ask follow-up questions, and get non-urgent issues handled quickly.

The app feels a bit dated, but the vet advice is solid. If you prefer a more personal touch and like to chat, this one’s for you.

Science Check: Yes, qualified vets—though fewer bells and whistles. Rufus’ Rating: 3/5. Bit distracted by the vet’s Scottish accent. Margot’s Rating: 2/5. Ignored it entirely—classic Margot.

Available on: iOS & Android Price: £20 per consult; monthly care plans from £12

Final Verdict: Which App Reigns Supreme?

• Best all-rounder? FirstVet – Reliable, smart, and easy to use.

• Best for clinic-connected features? PetsApp – Great if your vet’s on board.

• Best for 24/7 access and ongoing support? Joii Pet Care – Budget-friendly and well designed.

• Best emergency support? Vets Now – Pricey but essential.

• Best for older users or slow tech? PawSquad – A bit retro, but still relevant.

All these apps offer something useful. The trick is finding the one that suits your pet’s needs and your stress threshold.

Because in the end, nothing beats peace of mind especially when your cat decides to develop a mysterious limp at 3am.