After Hours Vet: Where to Turn When Your Clinic Is Closed

Your regular clinic closes at 5 p.m., but your pet's problems do not follow the schedule. Here is where to turn for an after hours vet, and how to choose the right option quickly.

Your after-hours options

Emergency hospital. Open nights, weekends and holidays, equipped for serious cases. Search for an emergency vet near me and call ahead
Your clinic's after-hours referral. Check the voicemail message or website for a recommended hospital
24/7 online vet. Chat or video with a licensed vet from home. Waggle Vet is available around the clock, with no appointment
Poison helpline. For suspected poisoning, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply)
Urgent care clinic. Extended evening hours, but often not overnight

How to choose

Go to an emergency hospital now for trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, suspected poisoning, bloat signs, heavy bleeding, inability to urinate or serious injury.

Chat with an online vet for mild or unclear symptoms, such as an upset stomach, a limp, a rash, a change in behavior or a medication question.

Wait for your regular vet when a vet agrees your pet is stable and it is a routine matter.

What an after hours online vet can do

Ask questions and review photos and video
Help you decide whether to go in tonight
Explain how to monitor your pet
Answer medication, diet and care questions

It cannot examine your pet or run tests, so it does not replace emergency care.

Weekends and holidays

Clinics often have limited hours on weekends and holidays, which is when many pets get into trouble: holiday foods, decorations and visitors. Having a 24/7 option saves time and stress.

Prepare in advance

Save your nearest 24-hour hospital number
Set up your Waggle Vet account
Keep medical records in your Waggle Vault
Learn the signs of an emergency

FAQs

Is there an after hours vet near me?

Many areas have a 24-hour emergency hospital. Search and call ahead.

Can I talk to a vet at night?

Yes, through a 24/7 online vet service.

How much is an after hours vet?

Emergency hospitals can be costly. Check current Waggle Vet access, eligibility and plan terms.

Service limits and further guidance

Waggle Vet currently provides live chat guidance, not a promised live video or phone consultation. Access, response times and species support depend on current availability and eligibility. Do not assume medication can be prescribed: state licensure, a valid VCPR, veterinary judgment and federal requirements apply. An in-person examination may be needed.

AVMA: telehealth and the veterinarian-client-patient relationship

Sources checked October 14, 2026. These references do not constitute veterinary review or endorsement of this article.