How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Veterinary Practice

Choosing a vet is an emotional decision. People are trusting you with an animal they love, often at a frightening moment. So when someone moves to a new area or loses faith in their current practice, they read reviews carefully.

Here's how veterinary practices can get more Google reviews, and how to handle the moments where asking for a review would be the wrong thing to do.

Why reviews matter for vets

Most pet owners can't judge clinical skill. What they can judge is how they were treated: whether the vet explained things clearly, whether the nurses were kind to their nervous dog, whether reception squeezed them in when their cat was poorly.

That's what reviews tell new clients. And because many owners stay with a practice for the whole of their pet's life, every new client won through a good review can be worth a great deal over the years.

For independent practices, reviews are also one of the best ways to stand out against bigger groups. A string of reviews about personal, caring service is hard to compete with.

When to ask

Good moments to ask

• After a successful recovery. The dog is back on its feet after surgery, the cat is eating again. Owners are relieved and grateful
• After a first visit. New clients, new puppies and new kittens. If the first visit went well, the owner is often keen to say so
• After routine appointments. Vaccinations, check-ups and nurse clinics make up most of your appointments, so they're where most of your reviews will come from
• After an emergency handled well. If your team saw them quickly when they were frightened, they won't forget it

A short text a few hours after the appointment, with a direct link to your Google review page, works best.

"Hi Emma, thanks for bringing Milo in today. We hope he's feeling brighter. If you have a moment, a Google review would really help other local pet owners find us: [link]"

When never to ask

Never send a review request after a euthanasia, or after a pet has died in your care. It sounds obvious, but if your review requests are automated, it's easy for it to happen by accident, and it causes real hurt.

Make sure whoever books appointments, or sends requests, knows to leave these clients out. A handwritten sympathy card is the right follow-up, not a text asking for a review.

It's also worth holding off after a difficult diagnosis or an ongoing serious illness. The owner has more important things on their mind.

Replying to reviews without breaching confidentiality

Vets owe their clients a professional duty of confidentiality, and it applies to review replies too. Avoid confirming details about the client, their animal or the treatment in a public reply, even if the owner has shared them in their review.

Replying to a positive review

"Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a kind review. The whole team will be delighted to read it."

Replying to a negative review

"Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear you're unhappy. We can't discuss individual cases online, but we'd really welcome the chance to talk this through. Please contact our practice manager on [number]."

Complaints about cost are common for vets, especially after emergency treatment. Don't argue about prices in public. A calm reply that offers a conversation shows other owners you're fair and approachable.

For more on handling difficult reviews, see our guide to dealing with an unfair Google review.

What not to do

• Don't offer discounts on treatment or products for reviews. It breaks Google's rules.
• Don't set your team review targets. Google bans staff quotas for reviews.
• Don't ask staff or their families to review the practice.
• Don't ask for 5 stars. Just ask for an honest review.

Get your Google Business Profile right

• Keep your opening hours accurate, and make your out-of-hours arrangements clear
• List your services: consultations, vaccinations, neutering, dentistry, exotics if you see them
• Add photos of your practice, your team and your waiting room, so nervous owners know what to expect
• Reply to every review

The bottom line

Pet owners who've had a good experience are usually happy to say so. Ask them after the good moments, never after the worst ones, and reply with care. Do that consistently and your reviews will show new owners exactly why your clients stay with you for years.