Treat it as an emergency and go to a 24/7 animal ER for trouble breathing, collapse or not being able to stand, a seizure now or one that lasts more than 5 minutes, heavy bleeding or major trauma, a known or suspected toxin, a male cat straining to pee with little or no urine, a swollen or hard belly, trouble giving birth, signs of heatstroke, severe pain or sudden paralysis, or a serious eye or head injury. If your pet is “off” but alert, a same-day or urgent-care vet is often the better fit. When in doubt, call or go to an ER.
You know your pet. If something feels seriously wrong, treat it as an emergency even if it is not on this list.
Go to a 24/7 ER now
- Trouble breathing, choking, or gums that are blue, gray, or very pale
- Collapse, unconsciousness, or not being able to stand or walk
- A seizure now, one that lasts more than 5 minutes, or more than one in 24 hours
- Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding, or major trauma (for example, hit by a car)
- A known or suspected toxin or poison swallowed
- Straining to pee with little or no urine, especially a male cat
- A swollen, hard, or painful belly, or trying to vomit with nothing coming up
- Trouble giving birth
- Signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, weakness, vomiting, or odd-colored, dry, or sticky gums
- Severe pain, sudden paralysis, or repeated vomiting with weakness, blood, or an inability to keep water down
- A serious eye or head injury
Same-day or urgent care is usually fine
These problems often need to be seen today, but are not usually immediately life-threatening if your pet is otherwise alert: occasional vomiting or diarrhea with the pet still keeping water down; limping but still using the leg; small wounds or mild skin problems; ear issues; mild eye redness or discharge; coughing or sneezing if breathing is comfortable; not eating, or a pet that is “off” but alert; mild hives; or urinating more often if urine is still passing. If any of these suddenly worsen, go to an ER.
If you think your pet ate something poisonous, call a pet poison helpline and see the pet toxin checker. The full printable list is on Urgent care or ER?. To find a clinic, start with the city list.
Related questions
Can I take my pet to urgent care instead of the ER?
Yes, when the problem is not immediately life-threatening and your pet is otherwise alert — for example occasional vomiting or diarrhea with the pet still keeping water down, limping but still using the leg, small wounds, or ear problems. Go to a 24/7 ER now for trouble breathing, collapse, a long seizure, heavy bleeding, a swallowed toxin, a male cat straining to pee, and the other emergency signs on our checklist. Many urgent-care clinics close overnight. When in doubt, call a vet or ER.
Do vets take walk-ins?
It depends on the clinic. Some urgent-care and same-day clinics say they accept walk-ins; others require an appointment or a call first. A clinic that accepts walk-ins may still be full. On each city page we show the walk-in policy only when the clinic publishes one; otherwise the card says “not published.” We never guess. Call before you drive.
Are vets open on weekends and holidays?
Some urgent-care and same-day clinics are open Saturdays, and some are open Sundays. 24/7 emergency hospitals are open every day, including holidays, unless a clinic’s own website says otherwise. Posted hours change, and the “Open now” filter on our city pages does not know about holidays or sudden closures. Call ahead, especially around Thanksgiving, Christmas and July 4. Each city page lists clinics that post weekend hours, with 24/7 ERs at the bottom.
What should I do if I think my pet ate something poisonous?
Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (both 24/7; a consultation fee may apply) and go to a 24/7 ER if they advise it, or if your pet is already in distress. Do not give home remedies or try to make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian or poison expert tells you to. A searchable list of common toxins is at https://vetsopentoday.com/pet-toxin-checker.html.
Use the printable checklist or find a vet by city.